Fashion Show Preps Begin with Thrifty Visit

Thousands of people turn out every Spring to see the student designs, including industry leaders, talent scouts and college recruiters.

We look forward to it every year.  The DMPS Central Campus Spring Fashion Show draws thousands of fans to the auditorium runway to see what our fashion design and merchandising students have created, and see those fashions strutted down the runway in an enormous and intricate student-run production.

Hundreds of hours go into the mammoth event every year.  It’s attended by industry professionals, talent scouts and college recruiters.  But the effort begins simply with scissors and lots of imagination.  And this year, a step out of high fashion and into low cost, used materials.

Preparations for the 2015 show are beginning now.  Fashion and Merchandise instructor Tracy Holland and her students are partnering with St. Vincent de Paul’s Thrift Store at 1426 6th Avenue for inspiration and materials.

Holland said each student will select three clothing items and one accessory to create up-cycled 21st century attire.

“I like to challenge my students by getting them to think outside the box,” Holland told staff at St. Vincent de Paul. “There is so much that you can do with up-cycled material.”

St. Vincent de Paul Retail Director Jessica Daab said she hoped the collaboration between the fashion program and the thrift store will create buzz among younger shoppers and inspire them to get create and shop thrift.

“Most people don’t realize that we get a lot of great stuff here, including Versace,” Daab said. “There are so many possibilities within our stores.”

The Spring fashion show is scheduled for April 30 and May 1.