The click of high heels and Nike Air Force shoes were drowned out by applause as pastel hues flashed and circled the runway in the Atrium of the Euler Science Complex.
Approximately 65 student models walked in Taylor’s annual “Fabrica” fashion show on Nov. 9, hosted by Integration of Faith and Culture (IFC). Many of the participating students modeled for several of the different categories.
Over 300 people attended the show, which had announced its vintage revival theme several weeks before, Issi Holbrook, a junior psychology major and president of IFC, said.
Seniors Thane Syswerda and Wade Frances elicited roars from the crowd as they opened Fabrica with the dynamic duo category, wearing black and red jackets paired with jeans. Other pairs followed with matching denim, colors or designs.
Multiple themes during the night included monochrome, street wear, tailored at Taylor, vintage revival and around the globe.
The tailored at Taylor segment explored clothing that was handmade by Taylor students. One of the designers was Audrey Moore, a sophomore cinematography and film/media arts major as well as a member of IFC.
Several of Moore’s dresses took the spotlight, with light pastel colors and long, flowy lengths.
“I just like the femininity in dresses, and I like seeing others, like my friends, be happy in things I make,” she said.
Moore said that one of the dresses, a vintage sky-blue dress layered with lace, was quite difficult to sew. The outer layer was completely made from vintage tablecloths, and the fabric was delicate and hard to piece together, she added.
Although sewing can sometimes be a struggle, Moore said the process makes the end product more rewarding for her to see.
“I think the clothing I make oftentimes reflects my own style and what I wear day to day,” Moore said. “So, I think it is very diverse, but one common factor is (that) all the pieces remind me of something that I hold close to my heart in a way.”
Moore has an alteration business, Cool Cat Co., and sold some of her clothing at Taylor’s Shop the Loop event during this year’s homecoming. She has used many different materials—from tablecloths and pillowcases to any reusable fabric she has on hand.
Sometimes, what a person has on hand can help them reveal a part of who they are.
The individuality that Fabrica has encouraged was what drew Nova Cochran, a sophomore psychology major, to participate in the event this year.
“It's really nice (that) I'm able to express myself through that, rather than them putting me in something and saying, ‘Oh, you're gonna walk down in this,’” she said. “I'm able to make (the outfit) mine.”
Cochran walked in the monochrome category, wearing mint-green overalls, a dark-green sweater, and Converse shoes. While the overalls were borrowed from a friend, she said they exemplified one of her typical looks. She accessorized the outfit with her own green ribbons to add a personal touch.
The IFC team unanimously agreed on giving the show a vintage theme, following several years of them having an excess of different ideas for the night, Holbrook said.
“A lot of my cabinet is very (much) into vintage, into thrifting, into all of that,” Holbrook said. “And I think—especially now—a lot of different thrifted and vintage things are coming back into style, so I think it's a good way to showcase that.”
Holbrook said that despite being a junior, she had never attended Fabrica before this year. She told other IFC members that they could “make it their own” and take creative liberties in planning the event.
The team members curated vintage-style decorations, video games, VHS tapes, movies and music to paint the atmosphere with a look at the past.
Snow cones and live music accompanied a colorful afterparty that took place on the third floor of Euler. Students were packed into the glittery area, where the twinkle of disco lights and flash of cameras interrupted the gentle ambience.
“I think it's such a confidence booster for the models to go out there and show their style and just have fun with it, because there were a lot that…were very nervous,” Moore said. “And then after they walked, they were like, 'Oh, that was so much fun.'”
