Harvard College has started a new tradition in the last couple years in bringing forth an annual fashion show that they named “Identities”. This is a student-run fashion show that focuses on diversity with the objective to exhibit fashion as a form of art.
Through this show, the students are able to achieve hands-on experience in setting up a professional fashion show. Everything that happens with in the show is all student planed and is done entirely by themselves. Besides just being a huge project for those interested in fashion, the main objected is to demonstrate diversity. This year’s show focused on developing designers who brought fourth their own take on fashion.
The theme of this year’s show was all about the future of fashion. They named the show “Fashion + Tech”. This runway show promised to give the audience a glimpse into what fashion will be like in the future. Every outfit shown was still very modern and something people could wear today, but with a twist. Each garment did have an innovative feel with pieces you would not presently find in stores.
The interesting outfits with the addition of assorted models made for an extravagant and remarkable fashion show that achieved the overall purpose of diversity was well achieved. The models chosen came from all different backgrounds to add variety to the show.
To add even more excitement to the show Innovator of the Year, Ivan Poupyrev, was able to be present and touch on the future of fashion. Ivan works for a team at Google’s Advanced Technology where he concentrates on designing for our future digital lifestyle. He touched on how he wanted to mix technology and fashion and even worked with LEVI’s to make jackets with wired sleeves that would allow music to play through them.
If having this amazing innovator present did not excite some audience members then the music sure did. The show’s music choices were upbeat and fun displaying many different genres to go along with the different varieties of garments that were seen.
The clothing ranged from business attire to active wear, an all the way to elegant floor-length gowns. There were also many different materials used to create these looks such as wood, velvet, cotton, plastic bags, and lace. For the student designers, no material was off limits. They knew if they wanted to display innovative fashion it had to take some stepping outside the box.
The music and fabrics were great ways to add character to the show but the students also came up with other creative ways to add innovation. Many dresses that were displayed had different phrases written across the front such as “My Planet or Yours”.
The students also took a risk with gender-bending by having male models wear women’s garments such as dresses and skirts. The students felt strongly about parading diversity on the runway.
The models that were chosen to strut the runway made sure to have fun with the show and display their personalities to the audience. Some of them decided to wink, blow kisses, do some twirls, or just flash a beautiful smile at the end of the catwalk. Every model was able to show their true character without the fear of any judgment.
The fashion show was a huge success and it seems like the students managed to accomplish everything they planned. Everyone who was part of the team wanted to put together something amazing that showcased fashion in a new degree. They brought together new innovative looks and blended them with a diversity to create an unforgettable moment for everyone in attendance.
Identities promised diversity through its models and clothing and it did just that. Every designer who displayed pieces has a strong future in fashion because they were able to think creatively and bring together an unforgettable night.
