AMO hosts a sugar-sweet show featuring local clothing stores

Candy-colored corsets and funky patterns ruled the runway at this year’s Apparel Merchandising Organization annual fashion show.\nThis year’s theme was “Sweet Dreams: A Sugar High Fantasy.” Models walked down the runway to candy-themed music while carrying lollipops and soda bottles as props.\nThe show was divided into eight ‘fantasies’, each with clothing from different Bloomington-area stores Charlotte Russe, Hayley’s Boutique, B Boutique, Cha Cha and Wal-Mart. In addition to clothing from stores, the show featured design students from the Costume Construction Technology and Fashion Design Individualized Major Programs.\nThe show began with clothing from Charlotte Russe and featured the current spring trends such as bright colors, sun dresses and floral prints. \nThe second scene was a presentation of corsets, made by CCT students. Design students updated the usual design with different colors and patterns.\nSenior and CCT student James DiMartino spent the semester designing a navy and red corset for the show. He also designed a pleated skit and two dresses for two other sections of the show.\nStudent designers also made clothing for the business/causal section and the formal gown section. Fashion Design major senior Jessica Tryba designed a full skirted burgundy gown, a pencil skirt for the business section and a yellow corset. \n Fashion design and CCT majors also presented clothing in the business/casual scene, and the formal gown scene. \nIn addition to designing clothing, 26 IU students had the chance to model in the show. \nModels auditioned in February and have been rehearsing for the show all semester, said model junior Ryan Gordon.\n“We have been rehearsing since before spring break.” said Gordon. “I was gung ho from the beginning.”\nModels had to learn to walk with confidence and practice their timing on the runway.\nFreshman and Apparel Merchandising major Angela Beaudion said walking in the show as a great experience.\n“I did this because I want to work in fashion,” she said. “And I wanted to work on my shyness.”\nOrganizer junior Kelsea Foist said the AMO has been planning the show since September. The AMO had to audition models, find outfits and sponsors and find donations for their annual auction. With all of the planning, the show went on with few difficulties. \n“I was happy with the show,” said Foist. “We had a few problems, but it all went smoothly.”\nBefore the show there was a ‘sample sale’ of designer clothing and an auction of items donated to the AMO. Foist said that the show raised more than $5,000 that will go towards scholarships for Apparel Merchandising students.