The six girls whose dresses got pick by the judges
Flashes of red and crimson shimmer underneath the spotlights. Six girls walk out onto the runway, showing off their hard work and dedication to judges. Rounds of applause bounce around the room after each girl leaves the stage. This is the UIW Red Dress Fashion Show, showcasing high school students’ designs around the area.
Six dresses from Fashion Design I & II were submitted and picked out to show on Feb. 15. The designers can make any type of dress they want. There’s only two guidelines that the UIW puts in place; the dress must fall under dressy/formal and it must be a minimum of 80% red or a shade of red.
Fashion Design teacher Coach Douglass talks about the show and how all the dresses come together to create a beautiful piece.
“The students start with creating a sketch of their idea. Then, I take the designers to Joann Fabrics and we select the patterns and fabric together,” Douglass said. “I help them choose a pattern within their skill level. Then, they get to work during class and I help whenever they have questions.”
The UIW isn’t their first show of the year, Fashion Design I participated in the Marisol Deluna Foundation show in the beginning of the year. Douglass says that it helps see what needs to be worked on and practiced before the UIW show in February.
“My designers create a detailed fashion sketch, and I help them find a commercial pattern as close to the sketch as possible,” Douglass said. “We then alter the pattern to better fit their inspiration design. Sometimes, we even combine different elements from multiple patterns to get the look they are trying to accomplish.”
The fashion show is designated to help spread awareness for women’s heart health, hence the red. Also each high school student who designs a dress gets the chance to earn scholarships.