It was packed house full of high anticipation. The Ravenhill Chapel was a Romanesque home to a mix of the medieval and the modern. It was also the venue that showed people what true beauty really means.
Philadelphia University Students and A Chance to Heal sponsored a fashion show, "Body Diversity: Everyone we know is beautiful" last week to promote body diversity.
"We connected the dots between social causes and related fashion majors," said Natalie Weathers, associate professor of fashion industry management. "We wanted to show that today's students are thinking about these issues."
Fashion design and merchandizing students presented a show that celebrated bodies of all sizes and shapes. The message was clear and poignant. It comes at a time when many countries are cracking down on size 0 (and below) models who are strutting down the cat-walk. Philadelphia University's highly regarded Fashion Design program and its students created a number of creative, colorful and innovative designs that complemented a wide variety of body shapes.
Weathers met A Chance to Heal's co-founder and president Ivy Silver at a art opening. At the time, fashion capitals such as Milan and London were banning many super-thin models due to health concerns.
"That is the beauty of fashion it is wearable art," said Ty Ward, Phila.U. student and coemcee.
Students designers competed in four categories: Around Town, Wear to Work, Girls Night Out and Gala Premier. The fashions were judged on creativity, wearability, construction and design. A cash prize of $150 was given to the winning designers. There also included a audience favorite winner.
"It is nice that the university did this," said Carin Sauerwein, Philadelphia University Student whose work was showcased at the show. "It sends out a good message especially to freshman to make them feel real confident."
Judges for the event included many fashion industry leaders including Mary Ellen Fairbanks, designer for TJ Maxx, Nora Gomez, vice president of product development for Lane Bryant; Mary Ellen Prentis, executive vice president, Victoria Secret Direct Production; Joan Shepp, owner Joan Shepp; Cheryl Ann Wadlington, creative director Evoluer Image Consultants; and Elizabeth Wellington, fashion writer The Philadelphia Inquirer.
According to Weathers, students did 80 percent of the work for the fashion show.
"They took it as a great opportunity," said Weathers.
All the participating students had excellent designs; many are destined to become instant classics. Of the four categories, Wear to Work was the strongest. It, of course, had to be since these were the clothes most seen everyday. Casey Lea Saccomanno and Melissa Tsui's Reversible Coral Dress was excellent in its design and utility.
Megan Pielli's Piano Keys was traditional with small twist.
"I seemed like a good show," said Saccomanno. "I was the first time we had a fashion show like this. It gives out a good message."
Other designs to watch out for include much of David M.Cuiper's. Cuiper was influenced greatly by ancient Greek culture. Thomas Dejesus had a cheeky piece of 60s chic.
But it was Emily O'Neill's Celtic Dancewear that took top prize not only in the Gala Premiere category but also took Audience Pick as well.
"I was shocked and very happy," said O'Neill who modeled the work herself. "I didn't expect to win. I am very thankful they love it as I love it."
During the event, A Chance to Heal held educational programming on topics such as eating disorders, self-esteem, nutrition and how the fashion industry affects body image.
"We are more than just fashion," said Dr. Stephen Spinelli, president of Philadelphia University. "We are preparing students to be leaders in their profession and add real value to society."
During the show, the audience watched as monologues highlighting body image issues. Lauren Cyr of Gemini Theater performed "Hello, Refrigerator." The monologue involved a love-letter to the bane of more college students' existence: the late-night snack. The second monologue was a contrast in that the performer was confident in who she was and what she wanted.
"Megan means Pearl in Gaelic," she said.
According to A Chance to Heal, More than nine million Americans struggle with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders and hundreds die each year from eating disorders. The myth that these disorders mainly affect women is totally false.
Co-emcee Ray Serna shared his story about battling his own eating disorders.
"I came from a family that was stick-thin and guess who wasn't," said Serna, then raising his hand. "Yay, God."
Serna talked about how these disorders turned to someone he could not even recognize if he saw a photograph. Serna talked about how he channeled his aggression into artistic fields finally settling on fashion.
"Ray [Serna] said no matter you body type; a good shoe is a good shoe," said Ward.
Serna focuses his energy on his career at Nine West footwear; he has a loving partner who was in attendance and is happy.
"This is the face of anoxia, bulimia and body dismorphia," said Serna. "And this is the face of someone who beat it."
