Jeffrey Scott took the podium wearing a pair of shimmery silver tights Thursday night and spoke to the crowd of about 500 fashion fans in the Student Center ballrooms.

“Guys need to have the power to get up and dress how they want to,” he said.

Scott, owner and designer of The Tights Guy, was the guest speaker at the university’s annual fashion show, where students in the fashion design and merchandising program joined with the interior design program to showcase collaborative exhibits followed by a fashion show.

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More than 180 students from across campus were involved, as well as models and John A. Logan College cosmetology students who helped with makeup and hair.

Categories were separated by students’ year in school and featured themes such as evening wear and experimental design.

Laura Kidd, fashion design and merchandising program director, said the senior designers were responsible for creating a minimum of eight garments for their final collection.

“It gives the designers the first opportunity to really show their work and thoughts as a designer to the public,” Kidd said.

Kidd said the senior fashion designers worked on their projects for at least a year and came up with initial sketches, patterns and fittings for models.

Deja Mannie, a first-year design student from Chicago, said she participated last year as a model and was excited to present as designer. She created a pink floral print with a purple lace dress. She said it was her family that kept her motivated throughout the time-sensitive process.

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“My mother actually helped me pick out the fabric,” Mannie said. “She was encouraging me to go to class and just get it done.

Mia Strickland, a senior design student from Chicago Heights, said her collection named Strickland was inspired by her favorite decade — the ‘90s.

“The colors and geometric lines and curves have to be my favorite part of my line,” Strickland said. “They definitely gave my collection the unique touch.”

Strickland said learning how to sew was the most challenging obstacle she had to overcome, but Kidd was there to help her along the way.

“[Kidd] gave us overall creative control to do whatever, but if something needed to be added or changed she let us know,” Strickland said.

Kelsey Wallace, a senior design student from Harrisburg, said her collection, Evelyn, was a mix of neutrals, tans, ivory, peach, golds, silk, dotted mesh fabrics ropes,and beading.

“My collection was inspired by my grandmother, Evelyn,” Wallace said. “ She was very classic and elegant.”

Wallace said finding models who had accomodating schedules and prioritizing other classes was a struggle.

“I keep going I think just for myself and knowing how good, excited and relieved I was once the fashion show came,” Wallace said.

Correction: About 500 people attended the show, not 100. We regret the errors

Correction: Laura Kidd is the fashion design and merchandising program director. We regret the errors.

Correction: Mia Strickland is from Chicago Heights, not Chicago. We regret the errors.

Correction: The fashion show is not specifically a senior fashion show as previously stated. We regret the errors.

Staff writer Tyra Wooten can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @twootenDE.

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