Slope Media Group

CFC Fashion Show Coverage

For 1st level designers, Saturday night was their big debut at the 29th annual CFC Fashion Show, a time to test the waters and make one piece that highlighted all they had experienced in their first year here. For 4th level students, however, it was a time to shine, to showcase all the skills they learned at Cornell and through a variety of impressive internships.

Beginning with the 3rd level designers, it was clear that the CFC runway would look a lot like Milan, New York, Paris, London — heavy in mixed materials, juxtaposed fabrics and muted palettes with pops of color. I was most impressed with Dorado’s line, which involved bright, sheer fabrics paired with classic preppy looks (houndstooth, plaid, etc.) and collared shirts buttoned all the way up to the neck. The line was cohesive, fun and soundtracked to reflect the modern preppy feel that it took on.

Unlike the 3rd level students who designed multiple looks, 1st level students had the task of designing one look that reflected one of the seven deadly sins. Overall these pieces worked with thick, heavy materials used in almost an origami-like fashion. Perhaps the most interesting (not best, just…weird) piece was a long white satin gown complete with a neck brace that sported white feathers off it. I’m not super familiar with the seven deadly sins but if purity was one (it isn’t), this gown would have filled that niche.

For the 2nd level students, whose task was to create a modern take on the collared button down, ideas ranged from 3D bubbles that didn’t cover anything from the neck down to pastel cape crop tops that buttoned down. I was unclear how many of these recreated anything that looked remotely close to the classic button down, but I particularly loved one look that used sheer neon fabrics colorblocked with straight vertical lines. These two pieces were, in fact, a modern take on the classic button down and demonstrated mastery of a delicate fabric and balance between work and play.

To review the 4th level collections would not do any of them justice. Perhaps most striking was Gottesman’s line done entirely in black and metallic forest green. It was simple, straightforward and had a beautiful flow and cohesiveness. Another favorite was Aguialar’s line that contrasted leather and chiffon (two of my favorite materials) to pair feminine with powerful. Ultimately, Ceesay stole the  show with her incredible hair and makeup as well as Betsey Johnson meets Marc Jacobs line. Ceesay worked with heavy, starched fabrics to create texture and volume while using muted complementary color combinations (orange + navy) to blend the crazy with the tame.

From butts that were shown (you know what I mean) to the variety of struts (stand up straight, some of you!), I applaud all the designers for their beautiful collections and the models for being able to walk down the runway in what looked like shoes with only half a heel. Well done, CFC.