Fabulous Fashion Creations Dazzle a Filled House
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creative and talented students paraded down the runway modeling fashions
produced from recycled materials in front of 14 top name judges of the
fashion world and a packed audience. Months of plans and work by the
students and art faculty of the Rome International Schools Association
(RISA) culminated in an explosion of energy as Moda
Mania 2 took place in the Marymount Auditorium on Feb. 1, 2003.
Students in grades 6-12 were invited last fall to submit an entry form
stating their intent. Creative
energy took over after that. The final
product was the international schools in Rome working together for a true
educational experience for students.
The
day began with seminars for the creators, models, teachers, and interested
parents and participants from the public. Participants heard real life
accounts from greats in the fashion world including Fendi, Balestra and
Bottega Veneta. Most of
the speakers would return to judge the evenings fashion show. In Hairstyles
for the Stars, Paolo di Pofi of the International Beauty
Centre spoke on how beauty comes from an equilibrium inside, and not
from what is put on the skin. Real life stories from those who live it day
to day explained what happens after the runway in business, the promotion
of hand made jewelry from Africa, a police raid at 5 am on a false
marketing establishment, gold jewelry production, and how designers
preserve a look season after season.
Students came out of these seminars saying, "I never knew that!" "Wow!" and "She discussed color in a way which I had never heard it spoken of before."
After a complimentary lunch from Marymount, the models gathered in the auditorium for an arduous three hour practice under the guidance of theater professional Lenore Lohman. The 120 models learned how to walk, turn and pause on the runway for judges and the backstage ques. The sound and light crew put the finishing touches in place. Everyone was as ready as they could be.
The auditorium closed and the models went off to their assigned dressing rooms with their designers to make final adjustments in their costumes, some quite fragile, and do their hair and makeup.
Ms. Di Carlo, Bottega Veneta
Ms.Randa, Marymount's counselor, assisted the students. "I observed an incredible amount of energy, enthusiasm and motivation among these kids. They were filled with pride as they chatted about their designs. Many of these students wear designer brands in their everyday life, but here they were going to go out in front of a crowd in their own designer fashion."
The security crew of senior boys arrived in suits looking as serious as any professional bodyguard force. The Parents Organization appeared with Prosecco and hors d' oeuvres. A table opened where a professional video of the event could be ordered. T-shirt sales continued with the logo designed by Marymount's poster contest winner Erica S, grade 12, with proceeds going to the RSHM mission in Zambia. Everything was in place.
The crowds arrived and the crowds arrived until the auditorium was packed with parents, friends, family, faculty, staff, judges and fans of the creators and models. Children were running with pens and paper asking autographs of famous guests in the audience.
black plastic garbage bags with colored wax melted on it. The star design was made from toothpicks as was the belt attached to the
skirt."