Fashions created by non-majors

The first annual Coquette Fashion Show presented by the Union Board is underway. The show is a collaboration of Union Board, People magazine and IU students. It will allow non-fashion majors to showcase their creativity through the art of design. \nFreshman Ruth Vaca said something was missing in creative fashion design for non-design majors and thus created the Coquette fashion show. Vaca found her inspiration for the fashion show as a resident of the Collins Living Learning Center. \n"For most people living in Collins, fashion is an identity," Vaca said. \nEach Collins student is required to do a "que project" -- an academic workshop to present to the students and staff, and Vaca chose Coquette as her project. \n"I felt as though this show would bridge the gaps between Collins and the rest of campus," Vaca said.\nShe presented the idea to the Union Board and the Expanding Horizons Committee jumped on the idea. Expanding Horizons is a committee devoted to majors including pre-law, pre-health and design. Committee director Markeyta Martin said she is interested in many fashion-related events including reviving the "Miss IU" pageant.\n"This sort of project brings students together," Martin said. \nStudent area People representative and IU student Brigit Wiggins will collaborate with Martin and Vaca.\n"IU has made fashion a part of the campus and the magazine is interested in reaching to current students interested in fashion," Wiggins said.\nThe application process began Feb. 15 and finalists will be chosen Feb. 24. The process does not actually include any designs; instead it is a simple application that allows the designers to express their desire to be chosen. \nApplicants do not need to be design majors, but the show is only open to IU students. The designers can enter in three different categories: runway (seven finalists), accessories (three to five finalists) and portfolio (three to five finalists), the latter of which is based solely on the designers' drawings. \nThe designers will submit at least three designs and no more than six. Each runway design must be original and the application states they should also be extremely creative. The accessories category includes hats, scarves, purse, jewelry, shoes and other original designs. The accessories will be displayed on large decorated tables during the runway portion of the program. \nThe coordinators advise participants to have models or designers wear the accessories as a way to present the pieces. To enter into the portfolio portion of the contest, designers must submit a portfolio full of original designs, each in a specific category with swatches of material and color schemes. \nThe finalists will compete on the runway at 8 p.m. Mar. 26 in Alumni Hall. As stated on the application, each fashion item will be judged on originality and creativity, but designs must be the original work of the participants; no brand names, no advertisements. Judges will be employees from local stores, design professors and the student body.\n"We want to see how much effort these designers have put into their clothing," Vaca said. "We are interested in how far they will take themselves and their designs and it will be judged with an open mind."\nThe event is completely free and is open to students and the public.\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu.