Fashion Journalism Independent Study

These are just a few of the stories I wrote for my Fashion Journalism Independent Study from January to May 2018.

From Classroom to Catwalk 

Elisa Mattingly

Most 21-year-old college students are worrying about midterms, writing papers and doing presentations for their history classes.

They are not designing gowns that debut at New York Fashion Week.

But that’s exactly what Stevenson University junior Lacey DeJordy did. 

On February 11, DeJordy debuted her design at a New York Fashion Week show presented through Nolcha Shows, a New York-based company that allows independent designers to showcase their work.

DeJordy won a design contest that Stevenson puts on each year for fashion students. The prize is a spot in the Nolcha New York Fashion Week show.

Dejordy was selected for a dress she created in her Fall 2017 semester.  

The top was designed with layers of silk chiffon ruffles that point upwards in order to make it more flattering and appear strapless, even though it is not.

The skirt is made of a plush cotton velvet and includes three pleats down the front and back in order to make it more form-fitting. The vintage-inspired pleats open halfway down the model’s thigh, while a slit parts the front and a train flows from the back.

The dress is actually not a dress at all.

“It’s actually a top and a skirt that aren't connected,” DeJordy said. “The weight of the velvet skirt would've made it impossible to be attached to the top, which is made of a really thin, stretchy fabric.”

The formal evening gown reflects designs from the 1920s through 1940s, which gives it a vintage flare.

DeJordy’s inspiration for the vintage gown came from another dress she designed for the collection.

The first dress was designed with the goal to use recycled materials in order to make the piece sustainable and eliminate potential waste.

DeJordy created a dress constructed of photo slides made of square pieces of cardboard with pieces of film in the center.

“All the slides were taken by my grandfather back in the 1950s, so it’s really an ode to him and my grandmother,” DeJordy said. “I didn’t know them very well, but doing this project made me feel connected to them.”

This connection inspired a theme of nostalgia for both dresses in the collection, which is why the designs are vintage-inspired.

“I used the first dress as my inspiration for the evening gown,” DeJordy said. “The silhouettes are similar; the colors coordinate; and the overall feel of both are reminiscent of the past.”

An idea does not become Fashion-Week-ready garment overnight, however.

The dress took DeJordy about six weeks to finish and a total of 35 to 40 hours of work.

From sketching out preliminary ideas and narrowing them down to the final design, draping each piece of fabric onto a dress form and then using paper patterns to line up seams, and then sewing up a mock garment, it takes hours of hard work to even create a prototype.

While the entire process is not easy, it is the creative choices for the final piece that present some of the largest hurdles.

“Finding the fabric for the final piece was a challenge,” DeJordy said. “I had a very specific idea of what I wanted, so it took me a while to find the perfect fabric.”

The inspiration had struck. The preliminary designs and prototype were completed. The final product was finished.

But it still took a push from her department chair Forest Bell to enter her garment into Stevenson’s design contest.

“Without [Bell’s] insistence, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity,” DeJordy said.

While Stevenson’s current Fashion Design Program Coordinator was unavailable for comment, the former coordinator Sally DiMarco had nothing but stunning things to say about DeJordy and her work.

“I have seen her create clothing pieces that are utterly feminine, enhanced by intricate design lines, choice of fabric and superb construction and tailoring skills,” DiMarco said. “She has a keen eye for color, mixing fabric textures and referring to the past and current fashions in order to create unique clothing pieces that are futuristic.”

It is the support from people like Bell and DiMarco that helped DeJordy reach Fashion Week, which was an event she will never forget.

“It was incredible,” DeJordy said. “All my work was already done so I just had to show up and experience it.”

The show was held in the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Manhattan, where a large section was converted to accommodate a press area, a runway and a backstage space.

As one of the designers, DeJordy spent most of the show backstage with the eight other students that were selected from Stevenson, as well as two other design companies.

“It was really cool to see how [the design companies] operated since they were all professionals and knew what they were doing,” DeJordy said.

DeJordy watched the entire process as models went through hair and makeup, got dressed in all of the different ensembles and lined up to enter the runway.

“Once the show started, it was really fast-paced and hectic,” DeJordy said. “The music out on the runway was really loud, and there were people running around everywhere backstage.”

DeJordy got her first taste of how stressful a runway show can be, especially one during New York Fashion Week.

“Once it was our turn, I got really nervous because my model wasn’t even dressed yet,” DeJordy said. “She got dressed in line right before she had to walk out.”

The finale was especially exciting for DeJordy as she got to walk out onto the runway with her model.

“I was a little overwhelmed because there were so many more people than I thought there were,” DeJordy said. “People were on both sides of the runway, packed into benches with some standing. At the end of the runway, there were a massive number of photographers, all taking pictures at the same time. There was also a balcony above the end of the runway that was packed with even more people.”

Once the show had ended, DeJordy received praise for her designs as she mingled with the show attendees.

“It was surreal,” DeJordy said of the entire experience.

So, what’s next for this young designer?

“I have a lot of ideas for my future, probably too many,” DeJordy said.

She hopes to, one day, be the creative director of her own brand, though she hasn’t decided whether she wants to go into evening wear or street style.

“I have a lot of time to figure that part out,” DeJordy said. “It’ll come to me when the time is right. I figure as long as I’m working hard and keeping my goal in mind, I’m doing the right thing.”

Fashion Flares at HPU

By Elisa Mattingly

Glittering stars line the walls as fashionably dressed people sit in neat rows, waiting patiently for the show to begin. The murmur of voices quiets as models dressed in on-trend denim and flowy tops strut in to begin the Spring 2018 On Point fashion show.

It almost feels like it could be happening in a new, eccentric location for a New York Fashion Week show.

It’s really happening in High Point University’s Cottrell Ballroom. 

On Point, a fashion magazine created and run by HPU sophomore Haley Bossart, hosts a release party for each of their issues. For the April 2018 issue, they decided to try something different.

“As a team, On Point felt we needed a much more fashionable release party,” Bossart said. “We usually host release events for each issue, but this semester we wanted to do a fashion show.”

The show incorporated looks from their Spring issue, outfits provided by Bevello boutique and The Float Collective, a collection designed by Andrew DeHaan, an HPU freshman.

It was truly a student-run event. The entire On Point team, including event planner Sophia Brown, the models, DeHaan and even the audience were mostly HPU students.

“We wanted to inspire fashion around HPU’s campus by incorporating fellow students,” Bossart said.

 The show’s opening looks were pulled from On Point’s Spring issue and featured athleisure – casual, yet fashionable denim, hats and flowy graphic T-shirts.

While many designers have chosen to show more athletic athleisure wear in recent years with Adidas sneakers and bedazzled leggings becoming popular, On Point demonstrated a more polished way to wear the hot trend.

The 10 outfits featured from Bevello featured rompers, wrap skirts and co-ord sets in bright and springy hues of yellow, pastel blue and white.

“The vibe of the show was upbeat, lively and fun,” Maggie Goble, On Point’s Publisher Assistant, said.

The On Point team had the chance to shop Bevello’s Winston-Salem store and choose the looks they wanted to include in their show. They then gave the audience the opportunity to shop the styles after the show concluded.

 While a university ballroom is not the ideal space for a fashion show, the On Point team made it work.

“When working with any University space there’s always going to be tables, chairs or other items in the wrong place for the current users,” Goble said.

But once all of the tables and had been moved into a more suitable set up, the space could be transformed into an acceptable catwalk.

Models walked down the stairs into the lobby outside of the ballroom, before entering and walking down the makeshift catwalk.

Music pumped through the speakers, setting the vibe for the show.

“The show was chill and comforting but still trendy and invigorating,” Bossart said. “The music kept the crowds humble and the models steady.”

While it was a small show, attendance was much higher than what would be expected for a fashion show at HPU.

“We had a lot more guests show up than expected,” Goble said.

While many of those in attendance were friends or sorority sisters of the On Point staff and models, some were intrigued by the event when they passed the ballroom on their way to study.

“[Having the show in Cottrell] was a great networking opportunity for many, as students were studying throughout the rooms,” Bossart said.

Both menswear and womenswear were featured in the show.

Male models were clad in denim jackets, nude-colored hoodies and even a three-piece suit.

While the color of the season, blush pink, was sprinkled throughout the show, some of the best looks featured white or striped Coulotte-style pants paired with matching crop tops.

Some of the most show-stopping looks, however, featured bright, almost neon, colors.

Tiffany Fielding, an HPU sophomore, wore a canary yellow dress which featured a plunging neckline with a matching bow featured at the collar. The subtly embroidered sleeves ballooned out before they cuffed at the wrist.

Bossart herself wore another showstopper.

The tea-length hot pink wrap dress was the first outfit the audience saw as she led the models into the ballroom.

She immediately set the tone for what proved to be a trendy, Springtime-ready show.

While the actual show only lasted about 10 minutes, it still made an impact.

“The show was fresh and modern,” Bossart said. “The entire show was a success.”

While the ballroom was a bit of an awkward location, they were able to make it work.

And once the show started, it was easy to forget that you were in the same building where people take exams or pull all-nighters.

For the magazine’s first fashion show, it was definitely an impressive and successful event.

“The experience was incredible,” Bossart said. “I was able to watch my direction and dream come into reality. I left in tears of joy.”

For more information about On Point, visit their Facebook page.

Fashion Triumphs and Troubles at the 2018 ACM Awards
Elisa Mattingly

Country music’s “party of the year” The 2018 Academy of Country Awards was a night of remembrance of the victims of the Route 91 shooting, record-breaking awards and, of course, fashion.

Below are the three most impactful ensembles worn during one of the biggest nights in country music.

Reba’s Regalia

Reba McEntire was the sole host of this year’s host, but she had enough outfit changes for three people.

Whether white, black or red, McEntire glittered in rhinestones in every ensemble, demonstrating that glitter is always an appropriate accessory.

On the blue carpet, McEntire wore a tiered white gown with fringe and sparkle aplenty.

The fringe gave the look a western feel, a fitting detail for one of country music’s biggest nights. The fringe was offset small rhinestones bedecked throughout the different tiers of the dress.

It seemed that each time McEntire reappeared throughout the award show, she was wearing something different.

Another ensemble featured a silver design bedecking a form-fitting black dress.

Her next change, and second black dress, kept with the sparkling theme of her previous outfits, but pulled in the off-the-shoulder, velvet and bell-sleeve trends that have been huge throughout the past year.

Her most striking and memorable ensemble of the night, however, was the red dress she dawned to sing “Does He Love You?” with Kelly Clarkson. McEntire wore the gown to the 1993 ACM Awards and looked even better in it 25 years later.

The reappearance of the dress was fitting as McEntire wore it to perform “Does He Love You?” with Linda Davis, and McEntire was excited to wear it again.

“I really liked the red dress from the ’90s,” McEntire said in an interview with PEOPLE. “It was like seeing an old friend again. When Sandi Spika made that dress for me, I felt like Cinderella.”

McEntire proved that she, like her dress, is timeless.

Lindsey Vonn Falls Flat

Lindsey Vonn wanted to be the “Belle of the ball” quite literally in a canary yellow gown reminiscent of Disney Princess Belle.

The dress, however, felt less Belle and more Big Bird.

The yellow, tulle-filled monstrosity was almost too form-fitting on top, making the skirt look even more ridiculous.

“She looks like she’s wearing a yellow Morph suit and a feather duster,” Sydney Cheuvront said while watching the show.

Twitter users went crazy when Vonn stepped onto the stage to present the award for Female Vocalist of the Year.

“Did y’all see Lindsey Vonn on the ACM awards?” one Twitter user said. “She looked like a giant peep. I’ll never eat a peep again without thinking of her.”

Many users were confused as to why the Olympic athlete was even featured on the awards show as she has no immediate connection to the country music industry.

“Why is Lindsey Vonn on the ACM awards and who dressed her?” one Twitter user asked.

The shoes continued the off-putting outfit.

Vonn elected to wear white, lace-up sneakers. A choice that just confused the eye further and took away from any of the glamor the gown may have presented.

Finishing the look with a top-knot, the bun on top of Vonn’s head seemed reminiscent of an egg perched in a nest considering the rest of the bird imagery.

While some people celebrated Vonn’s bright gown in a sea of black dresses, the ensemble fell flat.

In the words of Cheuvront, “Big Bird did not fly tonight.”

Carrie Is Back and as Beautiful as Ever

Carrie Underwood made her first public appearance since a fall while walking in her dogs in November left her with 40 stitches in her face.

The country music star walked the carpet in a bohemian champagne dress covered in red flowers and glitter webbing.

The deep-V neckline showed the perfect amount of skin, while the slit of the skirt showed off Underwood’s famously toned legs.

Underwood debuted her newest single “Cry Pretty” later in the show, and the performance was an emotional moment for the star.

Wearing a metallic mini dress, the star belted out the song.

The bottom of the dress hung like water droplets, while the glitz kept all eyes on her.

The show-stopping performance was enhanced by the glitter tears that Underwood had added to her makeup.

The metallic drips of glitter falling beneath Underwood’s eyes paired perfectly with the message of “Cry Pretty.”

Immediately following Underwood’s performance, she won the award for Vocal Event of the Year for the song “The Fighter,” which she performed with Keith Urban.

Underwood came out visibly emotional, with real tears joining the glitter ones on her face.

Some people tweeted their frustrations with Underwood’s refusal to show her face over the past few months because of the scar she’s been hiding.

“I love Carrie Underwood, but honestly, she needs to stop being so dramatic about a facial scar that is invisible to the outside world,” one Twitter user said. “Every time I see an article with a title indicating she is revealing the scar, I see nothing. Carrie, you are beautiful, let's just let it go.”

Her two-minute standing ovation speaks for itself: Carrie Underwood is back and ready to slay.