Fashion Show Brings Attention to Hunger
By Jon Craig
Two-dozen high school and college students, most of whom are studying fashion as a career option, showed off food-themed designs Thursday during the Food Bank For Westchester’s “Food For Fashion Show” at its headquarters in Elmsford.
The show, titled “Fashion Plate: From Soup to Nuts,” aimed to raise awareness of hunger and food shortages in the United States.
According to the Food Bank, one in five Westchester residents are hungry or at-risk of being hungry. Half of those suffering from food shortages are senior citizens and one-third are children.
Proceeds from the fund-raising event went to more than 265 hunger-relief programs throughout Westchester, including food pantries, soup kitchens, senior and child daycare centers, shelters and residences.
Students designed evening outfits using food and food packaging. At least 50 percent of each outfit had to use actual food or its packaging.
Over the years, many performers have worn food, from 1940s actress Carmen Miranda, who became wildly popular for singing and dancing while wearing an elaborate fruit hat, to Lady Gaga, who recently wore a meat dress to make a point.
Among the designers were fashion and merchandising students from the Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Career Services in Valhalla.
“This was a very challenging assignment because food can be difficult to manipulate as you can imagine, and unless it is very processed, does not last,” said Carmen Galiano, a BOCES fashion teacher. “But the students came up with great ideas, and we are proud to be part of this original event that is for such a good cause.”
Dana Brown, 17, of New Rochelle was among Galiano’s students competing last week. She designed a dress out of Sparkling Ice black raspberry vitamin drink bottles. Her mom, Lorraine, proudly helped show off Brown’s dress, as well as their gold designer jewelry. Dana said she hopes to get into FIT next year. Her three older brothers gave her the drive and confidence to compete, she said.
The students’ creations were judged by a panel of fashion experts including fast-rising designer Rolando Santana, Denzer owner Mary Jane Denzer and Ravi S. Rajan, dean of the School of the Arts at Purchase College.
Other designers from Southern Westchester BOCES were Latasha Bonner and Tangella Boyd, both of Greenburgh Central Schools, Sabrina Dewan, Jordan Goodlett, Caroline Hager, Cheriann Mason, Chantay Matthews, Ashley Mitchell and Kane Young of White Plains.
Students participating from the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES were Jessica Grossman, Mirian Lazo, Carly Lembo, Laura Elizabeth Walther and Gabriela Zhagui.
Designers from Westchester Community College were Tyler Bland, Aleida Cruz, Danielle Etienne, Sheneka Grant, Sarah Higgins, Okki Kim, Margaret Krapish, Hwa Yeon Lee, Edith Marc, Sara Matsoukas and Jasmine Rutherford.
Lee was chosen as the best designer.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
