Charity Fashion Show

On Saturday, May 3, I attended Stanford’s Charity Fashion Show, which raised money for non-profit organizations devoted to diversity. The $5 fee seemed minute compared to the large task the coordinators set out to accomplish, but when I entered the runway room, I was surprised to find an overcrowded audience, patiently waiting for the show to begin. I found a seat and joined the eager faces in anticipation of my first fashion show. Thirty minutes later, the show finally began; fashionably late, perhaps?

The fashion show began with overtones of America’s Next Top Model, playing on the modeling stereotypes among many teenagers. A video clip featured a behind-the-scenes look at the effort the models put into the show and concluded with brief cuts to each model striking a pose as the audience cheered the on-screen models. I assume this stereotypical introduction was designed to arouse excitement and energy among the crowd. The show could’ve started off with a video clip about the purpose of the fashion show, tracing diversity issues in the community at large. However, the decision to screen the models indicated that the show was to be one of high spirits and enthusiasm, rather than one of gravity. Thus, the goal of the talent show was set from the very beginning: to inspire, impress, and entertain the audience, while reminding them of—though not strictly focusing on—the cause for the show: diversity issues. With this regard, the Charity Fashion Show generally succeeded, though at times the pacing of the show was uneven.

The next part of the show also succeeded in catching the attention and energy of the audience. Models were wheeled onto the stage, frozen into place like dolls. They were then positioned in creative poses, once again imitating America’s Next Top Model. The models then broke into a synchronized dance, and though it was made clear that the models were not all dancers, the spirit of the performance proved successful, conjuring excitement among the crowd. The rest of the show then alternated between runway displays of various designers and speakers from diversity clubs on campus.

The speakers in between the fashion runs were clear and articulate, but not concise. Though each speech only ran for several minutes, the breaks in between the runs were disruptive and too dull when contrasted with the energy in the runs. Some speakers read off their note cards; others spoke in a bit of a monotone. The intention of the speeches was justified; this was not a formal fashion show, but a charity fashion show, after all. However, I feel that the pace of the show and the flow could have been maintained by clumping the speakers together into a section right before and after intermission, or by screening brief video clips that conveyed the same message to the audience with fewer words, in a more compelling way. Though the speeches were not ideally placed and practiced, they conveyed the message that this was a charity fashion show successfully.

On the other hand, the model runs were extremely engaging and left the audience enthused. They were fast-paced—leaving the audience only about thirty seconds’ worth of admiration for each outfit—and rather professional. I was thoroughly impressed by the Stanford student-models’ ability to master the “model runway walk,” maintaining a composed facial expression and hip-swinging, graceful walk. The models kept their eyes on the camera and flaunted the artwork they wore: a veil and gloves, a paint-splattered dress, a jumpsuit. There was hair-flipping and pivot-turning galore. Each model and the style of each designer was uniquely glamorous—which appeared to be the theme—and successfully impressed the audience. By the time I left, I was left with a stronger sense of fashion, respect for the models, and overall awe.

~Dominique Y.