| Shades of "green" to be displayed at AMDA fashion show |
 |
 |
| Written by Kristen Bahler, Daily Vidette Reporter |
| Tuesday, 14 April 2009 18:00 |
|
What exactly does it mean to be "environmentally savvy?" Today's college student seems to have a fairly decent understanding of how his/her carbon output can impact future generations, though walking around campus with a "go green" tote bag and actually living up to those words are two entirely different matters. On Wednesday, April 15, the Apparel Merchandising and Design Association of ISU (AMDA) will hold its ninth annual fashion show in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. The sold out event will feature environmentally-friendly clothing created by ISU design students, and will focus on sustainability in fashion. Oh yeah, and Project Runway's Tim Gunn will be the keynote speaker. "This year's fashion show is part of the college's annual science and technology week," Tricia Johnson, ISU family and consumer sciences assistant professor, said. "The theme is sustainability . Tim Gunn will be speaking on that topic as it applies to the fashion industry." Though the AMDA fashion show has been an annual tradition for nearly a decade, incorporating sustainable fabrics on the runway is a first for ISU designers, and is thus a difficult task for those involved. "All the designs are made out of natural and sustainable materials, which is an extremely big deal, and a really hard task . the fabric can be really hard to work with," Emily Hoffman, a fashion merchandising major in charge of marketing the event, said. Equally hard, added Hoffman, was making this year's fashion show come to fruition. "We have been working on this for an entire year," she said. "One really good thing is that it is completely student-run, and every person in the club contributed somehow to the show. We have 120 original designs, 25 designers, and 40 models . all who will be showing completely original collections." Though consumers will not be able to "shop sustainable" at discount and department stores anytime soon, Hoffman said a more environmentally conscious clothing market is on the horizon. "I think it's an upcoming trend . a lot of designers are adding natural things to their lines, right now it is kind of expensive and I think [sustainable clothing] needs to be more available, but it's definitely up and coming," she said. According to Johnson, though every design must be done in relation to the concept of sustainability, a required theme does not equate to redundancies within the lines, as every designer has his/her own goals for the show. "All designs are done by students in the program . but it's different from student to student," she said. "Some are using organic fabrics with innovative pattern use, some are reusing garments . some are going to Goodwill and purchasing already consumed clothing and changing the design . one student is doing a line of sustainable wedding dresses." Other than material limitations, Johnson also said the designers could decide what their lines represent. "Students decide [design choice] for themselves. It differs from student to student . it depends mostly on what inspires them, and what their future career goals might be," she said. In regards to the students involved in the AMDA, Johnson added, "They have done an absolutely incredible job. This is a huge undertaking, and a great opportunity for our students, we are all very proud of them." Fashion buffs and "green" nuts alike will crowd into the Brown Ballroom on Wednesday to witness what it truly means to be eco friendly in the fashion industry. If the old saying that, "If you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk" is true, the AMDA of ISU will literally do both on Wednesday night. Fortunately for the audience, Tim Gunn is going to do the "talking." |
