Fashion event launches 13th issue of UDress

The bass pounded as models in high heels stomped down the runway. Dresses swayed, sequins glittered and energy moved through the room like a wave. All of the hottest fashions, from plaid shirts to chunky sweaters to print dresses, were accounted for on the runway.

The Trabant University Center multipurpose rooms were transformed Saturday from large, vacant rooms to the location of UDress magazine's fifth annual Fall Fashion Event. The sold-out event was held to celebrate the release of the magazine's 13th issue, the "Movement" issue.

Junior Kristin Quail, the fashion event director of the release party, said she and her associates wanted to try something different this year with the fashion show, which is entirely student-run.

This year, UDress received sponsorship from HP/Intel, doubling the available budget for the event, which Quail said gave the UDress staff the opportunity to test more new ideas.

"We wanted to reinvent the event by changing it and really taking it up to the next level," she said.

UDress also joined with Ticketmaster for the first time, making tickets for the event available for sale online. Quail said she decided to reach out to Ticketmaster representatives because in previous years, families of those involved with UDress had difficulty securing enough tickets.

As guests walked around the crowded room with complimentary Mizu sushi and Bing's Bakery treats in hand, models handed out free copies of the magazine, and clothing vendors from the Newark area greeted the guests.

Several local clothing stores donated outfits for the models to wear down the runway. Employees from each store handed out raffle tickets and free products to attendees before and after the runway show.

DJ Pandula Semasinghe spun both Top 100 songs and oldies, while junior Michael Davis entertained the audience as M.C.

Before and after the runway show, The Y-Chromes and Delaware Kamaal entertained guests with singing and dance performances, while senior Jim Baggott balanced on a bicycle on his chin and 2009 graduate Brian Shahwan sang his recently released R&B single.

Junior Elizabeth DelGaiso, who has attended the UDress event numerous times, said she came to this year's fashion show to support her friends who were walking in the show.

"I've been coming since freshman year and this event was awesome," DelGaiso said. "For being a student-run thing, I thought it was awesome."

Senior Gabriela Figueras, a UDress event regular, had only positive feedback about the fashion event this year.

"I thought it was fantastic," Figueras said. "I thought the DJ was great and everyone who walked was fantastic."

Freshman Callie D'Ambrisi said she came to the fashion event to show her support for the magazine.

"I was just expecting a fashion show but there was all of this food and entertainment and raffles—it was great," D'Ambrisi said. "We will definitely be back every year."

Michelle Joni Lapidos, who graduated from the university in 2007, founded UDress Magazine five years ago. She said she attended the event to see what the next generation of UDress staff members had up their sleeve.

"The issue is so beyond anything I ever imagined would happen," Lapidos said. "This year, especially with the sponsors, they were really able to kick it up a notch, and it's very obvious."