Buffalo State Fashion Show 2016


Since moving to Buffalo almost 4 years ago I’ve attended a few fashion shows in Western New York. I love seeing fashion on display in our tight knit community and was thrilled to attend the afternoon showing of the Buffalo State Fashion Show: Ecolution on April 16.

My favorite part of the event was seeing how different each line was that the students created. It was not your traditional fashion show, despite the T style runway, judges -including Kirby Marzec, Accessories Editor at Teen Vogue- and seating arrangement.

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There was something for everyone. The designs and materials were all over the board. Harsh and soft. Modest and provocative. Neutral and neon.

 

The models were both men and women, short and tall, had traditional long legged physiques and big beautiful figures. There was even a collection for 55-75 year old women. My biggest complaint about fashion in general is how excluding it can be. There are supposed rules and recommendations based on age, weight, body type, gender, etc… yet this show was all inclusive! With an eco focused show, embracing recycled materials, I wasn’t expecting such a progressive approach. It was quite a pleasant surprise.

 

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My friend Natalie served as my honorary photographer at the Buffalo State Fashion Show. She helped me take behind the scene photos and gave me an alternative perspective when looking at the designs.

 

As the sole blogger of Clearing PREPPY‘s Name it should be no surprised that I paid close attention to the preppy trends at the show. There were many classic a-line dresses, pleated skirts and ruffled tops scattered throughout the collections.

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I was drawn to the romantic looks too. I found it hard to believe some of these were made from scraps. Also as college students I can’t imagine their budgets were very large, yet these pieces truly looked high end.

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See this look and more on my instagram, @preppylogic15.

 

   Buffalo state fashion show, preppy fashion, ecolution, buffalo fashion, buffalo state runway, runway 9.0, college fashion, fashion design studentsBuffalo state fashion show, preppy fashion, ecolution, buffalo fashion, buffalo state runway, runway 9.0, college fashion, fashion design students

These dresses were some of the most beautiful ones to photograph on the runway. They flowed wonderfully as the models walked.

If I was judging this show, first place would have had to go to the geometric themed line. I was so impressed. I felt like designer Megan Luongo’s senior capstone looks would flatter anyone’s body type and I would wear ALL of these separates and outfits. Everything looked so chic and retro, yet ready-to-wear and completely up to date with current trends -crop tops and high waisted pants/skirts yaaaaas- all at the same time. She described the collection as geometric and futuristic. I’m not sure what it really is about this look, but I wanted it all, from the gorgeous periwinkle color to the giant plastic button closures in back.

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And can we please talk about this headband?! That’s just the hint of preppy that I was looking for.


Overall I would say the ninth annual Runway show at Buffalo State was a success. As college students that were learning about all of work that is involved in a fashion show (while on the job for the first time) they were still working out quite a few kinks at the afternoon show. I have faith that with time and practice they will continue to improve and I am already looking forward to Runway 10.0 in 2017.

Congratulations to all of the Fashion and Textile Technology students involved and thank you for bringing some more fashion to Western New York.

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Runway 2016

 

Internship and job possibilities


Happy Valentines lovelies!  I am sitting at my dining room table inhaling lindt truffles refreshing my twitter feed.  Calories don’t count on Singles Awareness Day and I’m making up for the calories I missed out on when I fasted for Ash Wednesday.  I wore a red dress and lace tights to show everyone even though I may be dateless I wasn’t lifeless.  I scratched a few lottery tickets and broke even.  I slept in my Queen sized bunk bed (Papa finished them this past weekend -yay!!) until 11 and wasted time in my pajamas until around 1.

Why?

BECAUSE AT 1:15 I HAD MY DISNEY COLLEGE INTERVIEW.

I know I haven’t mentioned this huge life changing interview, sorry.. but I am still trying to figure out what I am doing with my summer.  I applied to work at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or as a Concierge/Hospitality role in a hotel in Walt Disney World from May-Jan (just incase I can’t make up my mind on life in Manhattan or what schools to go to…no word on that yet).

My other option is a Coach Internship in NYC from May-Aug.  I have an in person interview March 8th.  It’s set up like a Job Fair, so I get to meet with HR reps in various departments such as styling and merchandising.  It sounds incredible, but because it is set up like a Job Fair, this invitation only interview is going to have as many people as a Job Fair might too.

That’s nerve wrecking.

What should I do if I get Disney?  It sounds fantastic, but it isn’t necessarily fashion related.  Also, I could know as soon as next week about the Disney positions, which means I have 10 days after that to decide.  I may not have even gone to NYC yet for the Coach interview!

Disney is really selective too, so what if I get neither?  Roughly 40,000 apply and 5,000 get chosen.. out of WDW and Disney Land.  That’s a lot more than 15 possible intern spots at Coach (guesstimating).

I suppose time will tell.  At least I have all those dresses to wear in either situation once the warm weather comes.

I also applied for the Jack Wills internship -which if you aren’t familiar it is the ultimate summer internship.

Like blows Coach and WDW out of the water.

Maybe I just say that since I already work for Coach and I don’t love rollar coasters, but wait.. Let me describe it.

Represent a preppy British brand on the beaches on a variety of Northeastern US coasts all summer, planning events at night.  Learn the retail and merchandising ropes from the industries best.  Getting the opportunity to go to London for a week, including the JW polo.  It’s the summer I have dreamed of.

Of course the competition for that is.. in the words of Tyra Banks:

Fierce.

I wouldn’t find out about being chosen in the top 150 for that until February 25th, and then I have to submit a 1.5 min video explaining why I deserve the summer of a lifetime.  Not to say I doubt your preppy votes on my behalf, but it wouldn’t be easy since I currently know like 3 people in the town I live in (including the guy I sold Coach flip flops to for V-day) so popularity isn’t my middle name.

It’ll all fall into place though I’m sure.  I applied for positions at Chanel, DEB, Aero, Rue 21, and ModCloth as an Assistant Buyer starting in the summer, because I will have completed my Associates.  When I’m not working 20-25 hours a week and completing 23 credit hours I have a surplus of time after all *sarcasm*

..oh guys I also don’t know what to give up for lent.  Clearly not shopping or chocolates, I was finally approved for a Discover Card (yaaaay for big kid accomplishments!) and work across from the Lindt truffle store. Remember those 12 pounds I lost when I left school? Me neither. #CatholicGirlProblems

Allison

Funny how a melody sounds like a memory


I need to reflect on everything that’s happened in the past week.  Instead of making another list of things to do or things that I have accomplished, I might as well publish it.  I made the executive decision to not return to Canisius.  I would be lying if I said that typing or thinking about it for too long doesn’t make tears well up in my eyes.

 It was the hardest decision I have made -ever.

I decided that fashion was too big a part of my life to leave behind and return to school yet again.  I came to the conclusion that I could not live with spending another $12,000 dollars for transfer credits.  I am no longer enrolled.  I am curled up in a ball on my couch in my floral jammie pants and a slight mess..

No, I’m not going on welfare and never leaving my house.  I refuse to give up on my plans although it feels like I may have at times.

I made the executive decision that might result in me being clinically insane and I am taking on a TWENTY-THREE Community College credit courseload, between Herkimer County Community College and Niagara County Community College.  I left behind my friends and moved back home.  I am fake smiling as often as possible, because I refuse to admit that a part of me seriously thinks it’s possible I made the wrong decision..

But I did what I was supposed to do.  I was mature and analyzed everything as best as I could and I refused to be Lauren Conrad on the Hills.  I would not sacrifice my “internship to paris” or my oppertunity for a boy, for a social life, etc.  I needed to take this plunge, and leave the past 15 weeks of my life behind.

I am finishing my Associate’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising and then hoping that FIT or LIM intervenes.  I got a job at Ann Taylor last week, and I had an interview at  BCBG today.  I have one at Coach later this week.  The fashion horizons are expanding, so why do I feel so miserable?

I just need to get over this hump.  I need to survive the awful feeling of loneliness  knowing I can’t cross the quad and be at my best friend’s dorm.  I have to realize that the screaming of my 3 year old brother in the living room bowling with a plastic ball and pins has replaced the similar sound of slutty spandex covered girls breaking their necks in impractical heels in the morning.  It’s not all bad.  I  have a queen sized bed.. that I have to share with my 10 year old sister. Instead of my great relatable roomate.. No, that’s not a good example. I have no drama? That’s a good thing.. I also have no life.

Well, it should come as no surprise if I am admitting that on cyberspace that I’ll be back at Canisius trying to keep my composure this weekend.  I am just visiting.  I don’t have the option of backing out now.  I am sure that if I went back to school I would be having regrets too. I keep getting e-mails from teachers filling me in on what I missed in class or have to make up, because they must not know I dropped out.. The 6 chapters and 3 papers I would have had due for Wednesday would have been a painful dose of reality after weeks of Netflix and web surfing, but I have to be honest. I want it back.

And with 23 credits you can bet anything that I will have it soon enough. But before it was worth it because I knew other people were enduring that hell and I was thriving even when I struggled.  Now, I have almost 50 year old parents, an orange cat, obnoxious siblings with their elementary through high school issues, and nobody to complain to, because I did this to myself.  

At the beginning of break I had started a count down to when I would return to school, is it too early to start one for when I can move out again?

The issue is it could be anywhere up to 7 months before that happens and not even a job at Kate Spade (the one I want the most, yet don’t have an interview for) could make me smile the way inside jokes with my best friends would.  I was warned.  I knew what I was signing up for, when I made the phone call and withdrew.  Why did I do it?

John, if you’re reading this I’m starting to think: you were right.