Dana Hall presents Couture for a Cause

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By Rama K. Ramaswamy

Couture For A Cause (CFAC) was Dana Hall School's annual Project Runway Fashion Show. It featured original designs from over 25 student designers and others from the Dana Hall community, along with student-models who modeled the creations. The designs were varied, according to Michael Frassinelli, Visual Arts Department Head, “from the classic and stylish to the far out, hand made by the designers and modeled by your fellow students. This year we partnered with BRIDGE, who will provide refreshments, and all proceeds were directed towards causes for social justice.”

“We've had fashion design as part of our design courses for many years," said Frassinelli, "and about 10 years ago, a parent in the garment industry donated the services of his company to construct some of our students designs. After that student graduated, we began construction our own designs, with the help of another parent donation of a fleet of sewing machines. In 2009, students Moeko (Monica) Matsumura ('09) and Olivia Anton ('12) helped organize the first Couture for a Cause, which featured student designs and established a tradition to have an annual fashion show which doubled as a fundraiser for various causes.

“The show is not all that focused on current fashion or commercial design, but in person creativity and problem-solving," said Frassinelli of this year’s CFAC. "Some students work on pieces for months, but I love it when a student comes in and says she wants to make a dress for the show, often with no prior experience and without much time before the show. It's that kind of energy that keep the arts alive and well”.

Student designer Helen Hogge said, “I wanted to design something really unusual and making a statement as well.” Many of her peers agreed that she accomplished her mission with a dress made out of current politically-charged headlines fashioned into papier-mâché for the bodice and a plaster skirt wrapped in “paparazzi.” Her model, Sruti Ramaswamy, was “a good sport,” according to Helen, who had to sew her into the gown and cut her out of it.

“Walking the catwalk in a plaster dress was quite a challenge!” remarked Sruti.

A few students, such as Sake Omote, designed and modeled their own creations. Sake’s design “resembled something out of Alice in Wonderland,” according to her peers - it was topped with a giant hat studded with origami cranes, leaving the audience unable to see the designer-model within.

“How does she see where she’s going?” asked one attendee.

At the close of the show, Michael Frassinelli expressed gratitude to the attendees.

“Thanks again," he said, "for supporting women in the arts and creativity in our community.”