Bold colors, crisp pleats, genie and ankle-length pants, high waists and oversized accessories grazed the runway Thursday April 15 for the SMU Retail Club’s annual fashion show.
Sophomore Colby Kruger chaired the event which took place for the second consecutive year at Barney’s New York in Northpark Center. The theme was ‘Anything but business as usual’ and the show featured 40 business appropriate looks perfect for recent grads entering the workforce or students preparing for summer internships. The show was completely student styled and produced by Kruger’s committee that included sophomores Helena Yueh, Ali Grace and Alex Wilstrup.
With a phenomenal turnout, leaving many standing without a chair, the event proved successful. Both men and women sipped on sparkling lemonade ‘mocktails’ and munched on sugary treats while they supported their friends, the show’s models and noted the current fashion trends.
“I think the students enjoyed getting to see their friends strutting their stuff on the runway, and I know the models enjoyed it too,” Retail Club public relations show chair, freshman Shelby Foster, said about students getting the opportunity to moonlight as models. “The fashion show is always a fun way to spice up everyday life with a little bit of glamour and style.”
Hoots and hollers, oo’s and ahh’s were constantly heard throughout the show as viewers admired the stunning clothing and poised student models. Both men and women walked the runway with grace and elegance, not once showing a look of anxiety, even when there were opening technical difficulties with the sound system.
Freshman Shelby Hendrick initially came out to support friends who were modeling in the show, but said she was really impressed with the professional feel of the event.
“I thought the show was both chic and fashion forward,” Hendrick said. “There were a lot of looks I’d love to be able to pull off. And the refreshments were a perfect touch!”
Regarding the success of the show, Foster said, “A compilation of the clothes, the audience, the snacks, and of course the models definitely made this show so great. Our fashion show chair, Colby Kruger, also played a huge role in making sure everything was a success.”
The Retail Club is an undergraduate student organization that strives to enhance the retail knowledge of SMU students and the Dallas community.
Retail Club President, sophomore Emily Bates, was more than pleased with the large turnout and support from the SMU student body and the generosity of the Barney’s NYC employees.
Regarding the club’s future growth, Bates said: “Our show has expanded from an on campus simple event to a full-on production at a high end department store. Each year our club continues to grow and venture new places and I’m excited to see where it takes us next year.”
