Student designers, models and artists wrapped up USC’s 2016 Fashion Week in style at the finale fashion show and silent auction.
Student models strutted up and down a runway Thursday evening, sporting designs by local Columbia retailers and by the 2016 Student Designer of the Year, fifth-year retailing student Marisa Martin.
Before the fashion show, people in attendance browsed student art and vendor tables with jewelry and clothing by the featured retailers, and other items were sold in a silent auction. The proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Fashion Board for future events and scholarships.
The show began with a performance by a USC men’s a capella group, the Carolina Gents. Immediately following, the student models walked proudly down the runway in designs by Marisa Martin, Brittons, Bohemian, Entourage, Ivy & Leo, Just the Thing, Petal, Steel Garden, Vestique and Wildflower Boutique.
The fashion show exclusively featured student models, one of whom was fifth-year insurance and risk management and finance student Jeannie Catterton.
“[The show] was great, it had great energy. People were fantastic," Catterton said. "This week is the biggest part of what we do here at South Carolina.”
Following the runway show, scholarships were awarded to Fashion Board members. One scholarship winner was first-year retailing student Eileen Gillis, who helped set up the event with the Board.
“I did photography, and I was on the PR committee, and I did Twitter and Instagram stuff for it ... I’ve always been into fashion, so I’m kind of getting into fashion photography,” Gillis said.
The Fashion Board is comprised of mostly students. This is the ninth year that the Board coordinated a Fashion Week, for which they spend virtually the entire year in preparation.
The Board’s executive assistant, second-year fashion merchandising student Lara Olson, was particularly satisfied with the wrap-up of the week.
“It’s been a long time coming. This whole week was so awesome, and it went really well,” Olson said. “Tonight was our biggest event … We always love seeing all the local retailers and boutiques.”
USC’s Fashion Week saw a T-shirt exhibition, corporate retailing CEOs, a student designer showcase and a stylish grand finale. An evening of chic, bold fashion and art served as an appropriate closer to a week put together by and for students.