 "Photo: Virginia Rollison")
Main Street is the hot spot for the fall's latest runway trends in Newark. Thanks to UDress Magazine's second annual fall fashion event held in the Trabant Multipurpose Room on Saturday, 46 models were able to strut down the runway, representing an array of shops and stores found locally in Delaware.
Clothing and accessories were provided from stores in Newark such as Grassroots, Clothes in the Past Lane, Village Imports, Gecko Fashions and Flavor, as well as shops from the beach area such as South Moon Under and Quiet Storm. Other local businesses offering their services were Trilogy Salon and Spa, which was responsible for hair and makeup on the models, and Simon Eye Associates, which provided eyewear to some of the models.
UDress editor-in-chief Heather Lumb says the fall fashion event began with a pre-party honoring the release of UDress Magazine's seventh issue for fall 2007.
"It's like a celebration of the magazine that we have once a year so everyone can come and see what we're doing," Lumb says. "It's like our coming-out party every year."
Lumb is a senior fashion merchandising major with a minor in journalism who describes her style as "edgy" with a hipster/clash twist. She says she and the executive editor, sophomore apparel design major Jessica Lapidos, have created a fun new concept for the magazine.
"With me in the president position and Jessica in the VP, this issue is one of the most not contradictory, but complementary because we have two completely different styles and two different outlooks on life," she says. "But it just makes it so much fun. It's not a bad thing - we constantly feed off each other, and I really want the students to know that."
Lapidos says the fall fashion runway show was aimed to present an elegant atmosphere with navy and ivory accents to promote an upscale, winter-like theme. The multipurpose rooms were donned with white lights and filled with food, local vendors and tables full of UDress magazines for all the attendees.
The models each had their own moment to show off their selected styles, cruising the runway and posing for the flashing cameras. From vintage-inspired cocktail dresses to Billabong T-shirts complimented with funky accessories, the runway was a showcase for the latest fall fashions full of color and the funky flare typical of the runway.
Fashion event chair and senior Michael Pierson says it was a group effort between the event personnel and the local stores when coordinating the 46 different outfits donned by elected models. He felt while it was important to incorporate pieces that were very "now," it was also important to find outfits that complimented the models and the shops.
"I collaborated with all the stores to select the best outfits that represent what they carry as a merchandise selection," Pierson says. "I really wanted things that represented the store and look amazing on the models. It's so important that we find a good balance of both of them."
Pierson says the fashion show is such a success because of all the different types of people representing the clothing.
"It really was a beautiful show," he says. "We had some of the most talented and beautiful people in Delaware - it was all heights, all shapes, all sizes."
Pierson says he wanted to prove how versatile the fashion on Main Street can be.
"We really wanted to showcase that you don't have to go to King of Prussia or Philadelphia," he says. "You can find great fashion right here in the stores on Main Street."
During the show, all models were judged by those attending the show based on their charisma and all-around stage presence. The audience then voted on which male and female model best owned the runway. The winners will have the opportunity to be a part of the center spread for the spring edition of UDress.
Freshman Sam Paul, who recently won UD's Top Model competition, also took home the prize for the best male model on the runway while donning Levi's jeans, a beanie by Adopt and an owl T-shirt by Heavy Rotation, all supplied by Clothes in the Past Lane. However, Paul says it wasn't any particular passion for fashion that helped give such a great performance on stage.
Best female model was won by sophomore fashion design major Stephanie Scull, who says she was surprised to have won. Stephanie hit the catwalk wearing deep navy Free People cords, a Volcom belt, white Billabong T-shirt and an orange Coffee Shop jacket, all supplied by Quiet Storm. Scull says she enjoyed representing the store's laidback, beach feel.
"I actually ended up in this by accident," Scull says. "Someone found pictures of me and offered so I didn't go through any auditions. It's very surprising, but awesome. I totally didn't expect it."
Along with creating publicity for the local stores, UDress's fall fashion event has another cause driving it. Lumb says while the proceeds go to the magazine, there is also a separate contribution to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged women who are looking to get into the work force.
UDress publisher Natalie Bartos says Dress for Success serves an educational purpose.
"It teaches them how to dress and how to go into an interview," Bartos says. "With Delaware, we're doing an accessories drive where you bring in any gently used handbags, jewelry and any new cosmetics."
Lumb says while being second-in-line in her position is a lot of pressure, she has great aspirations for the magazine in the future.
"[Michelle Lapidos] started something that's so amazing and it's really hard because I'm trying to keep it going how she wanted it," she says. "But I'm also trying to put my own thing in there."
Lumb says she wishes to put her own spin on the magazine by incorporating more music and many different types of styles into each issue.
"It really got to me how music inspires fashion," she says. "I like the individualism. I love that. That's what fashion to me is all about; looking your best your way."
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