SIFE’s Fashion Week spotlight student models, designers and artists

February 24-28, designated SIFE’s Fashion Week at Prairie View A&M University spotlighted student models, designer fashion shows and business expo and hair showcase.

Since Fashion is a lifestyle that should be lived 24/7, Celestial Hall, the event producer set out to include a myriad of events. There was something for every one from the obvious to the sublime.
Several days of fashion, hair, art, accessories and parties came together Monday through Saturday for the first ever Fashion Week Prairie View. It was a fashion triumph for Hall a sophomore marketing/fashion design major from Missouri City, Texas.

The event showcased the talented students who have a strong interest in fashion at the university and provided an opportunity to educate and entertain the students, while creating economic opportunities for the young designers.
The great kickoff was a seminar on African Americans in Fashions featuring Ms. Jacquelyn White, Consumer Science Coordinator for the PVAMU Cooperative Extension Service and Mr. Frederick V. Roberts, Assistant Director of Career Services and SIFE advisor.

The audience shared in the experiences from the African inspired fashions, textiles and colors through the contemporary designers including Willi Smith, Karl Kani,
Next was the Fashion Show of Shows featuring emerging student designers, Claratoli by Celestial Hall, UJ Fashions by Uniquka, Ettrina Mill of Emill, Exotic by Jazz Dot, Skinny Guy by Tory Ramirez, Spank Me by Brittney, Ro Collections by Summer Shepard and Nenaji by Nenaji.

The designers work highlighted the making of the PV Man and Woman segment in a cascade of colors and cuts, loaded with tribal accessories and flair. The show was exuberant, extravagant and exotic. Visiting Houston Designers Dutchesz by Monica, JR Lecour by Terry Ladett-Hall and Top Notch Designs by Mocca chimed in with designs to cap the evening showcase. Book-ending the week was the stylistic Hair Show by two rising cosmetologists- Brittani Hurd and Blessing Okonkwo.

20 models adorned the latest in hair design strutted down the floor runway to be judged for prizes. Judges included Johnie L. Jones, III, SGA President, Anita Jones, SIFE Vice President (no relation) and Ms. Campbell, Cosmetologist of Beaumont.

First place went to Brittani.
Hall said the event spotlighted fashion and it also showcased local models and artists that students could identify with and earn the right to say “I knew them when!”

In fact, the student photographers also got the chance to participate and get the right shot.
"There is so much talent at Prairie View A&M University and am glad that the students took advantage of the opportunity to be seen in a positive light,” says Frederick V. Roberts, Esquire, SIFE’s Advisor. “I am very proud of Celestial and her leadership in taking on this monumental event. For three years I looked for this to happen and Miss Hall stepped up to the plate and made it happen.”
With the success of the event, Celestial is confident that next year’s event will be tops.

“It’s going to be really big,” says Hall. More works from artists and photographers will be included. Hall plans to expand the event to Houston through collaborations with the Fashion Groups, modeling agencies and other industry personnel.

In preparation for the activities, Celestial has her eyes on Fashion Week New York set for September October 2009 to network and gain experiences to enhance the show. But first Hall along with Ryan Harris, Terina Smith and Uniquka Johnson will attend Fashion Career Day in Houston on March 10 sponsored by the Fashion Group Foundation.