Raw Couture 08'

April 11th, Salt Lake Community College held a runway event showcasing their advanced fashion design students. Each student designed and sewed each of the outfits in their line that ranged from 3 - 6 outfits.

A while ago when I began working on my first installation (and still am) my mentor gave me the advice, "Do what you know". She said young artists try to start big by doing something that they really don't know anything about just to be edgey and it shows. In this show it seemed as though the students took that advice to heart. All of the items in the show were not particularly innovative or avant-garde, but they were sturdy and suited to students who are just starting to test the waters.

The show started with pieces from the Leonardo.

Candice Tippets




Ischa Buchanan



Krista Nielson



















Jenny Vance, Floral Feminine dresses. The first outfit out gave me renewed hope for the rest of the show. She worked with silky floral prints to make feminine, clean dresses.





























Mallory Bair, Leather. Mallory's use of leather was exciting to see in a student show. Her line had a simple class act look.



































Katie Dodd, Swimwear. The truth is Katie Dodd's line of gold lame, stretch vinyl and spandex swimsuits were my favorite in the show. Not all of the designs were completely fresh but everything was fun and memorable. She wanted to stray away from the average bikini cuts and swimsuit prints and I think she succeeded. I liked her take on male swimwear and the 80's looking red and gold one piece.





























Rebbecca Burgess, Mommy and Me. Cute levels were off the radar. Rebbecca designed a line of matching mommy daughter outfits. She also surprised us with a puppy companion. Although everything was sewn immaculately and it was very smart to bring adorable things on stage and she swept the competition, none of the pieces were original or eye catching.







































Jordan Halverson, 60's futuristic. Halverson's dresses are what the star trek heroines might wear to play tennis. They were short, movable and made of stretch fabrics. He made the mistake of overshadowing his line with his own outfit. Why didn't you put that in the show?


















There were several more lines but we chose the most memorable (good or bad). Overall we had fun and give our best wishes to the program and students.

Photos taken by G.C.
SLCpomp