On Saturday, March 9, the International School of Beijing (ISB) hosted its 6th annual charity fashion show. Organized by high school students, the fashion show provided an opportunity for students to experience the hectic yet thrilling process of organizing, designing, and modeling for a runway. While the event allowed students to exercise their creativity and show off their physique, students also worked to fundraise for China Little Flower, a non-profit organization for Chinese orphans. All proceeds from ticket sales for the show were donated directly to the organization.
Preparations for the charity fashion show stretch back to October, when students enthusiastically took on their respective roles of designer, model, or manager. Designers, unsurprisingly, had the most daunting task. Not only set to design innovative apparel, designers were also responsible for other tasks; for instance acquiring a tailor and recurrently scheduling fittings to ensure that the clothing fit neatly on the models. Furthermore, designers were kept in a tight schedule with regular deadlines for final sketches, fabric, finished outfits, and rehearsals.
There were a total of nine designers this year, each of them showcasing their own unique style, from futuristic to classical. On the night of the final show, student designers exhibited their own collections on the runway with the student models displaying the clothing of each collection. Many of the outfits showed adept skills in designing, with fine details and finishing touches that reflected the designer’s hard work. Some designers even got creative with their use of fabric and chose to incorporate paper and recycled material into their apparel, evoking impressed awe and surprise from the audience.
After viewing all the collections, the audience was asked to participate. Each given two ballots, the audience members were able to vote on their two favorite collections in the categories of most creative and most conventional. This year’s winner for both categories was Stephanie Tian, her Aztec inspired hand-beaded dresses exceptionally stunning amongst the other collections.
Besides displaying student-designed clothing, the Charity Fashion Show also exhibited apparel from sponsoring clothing brands. This year’s clothing sponsors were Nike and Candy & Caviar, both brands commonly associated with lively and youthful vigor. The student models represented the brands with great energy and spirit, stirring the crowd on the night of the show. Striking glamorous, as well as humorous poses, the student models went down the runway in pairs, performing different movements that evoked cheers and bursts of laughter from the audience. The students let their personalities loose and truly expressed themselves on the runway while collaborating with each other.
In between catwalks, students unveiled their musical talents. With stunning vocals and soothing acoustic accompaniment, the musicians added a tranquil touch to the theater’s atmosphere. The fabulous student-designed collections, modeling, and performances elevated the show to new heights. Students were able to showcase their extraordinary talent, impressing the audience again and again.
This year’s Charity Fashion Show was a great success for both the designers and the models. The fashion show not only provided a platform for students to express their individuality and artistic ideas, but also gave students and audience members a night of good fun and enjoyment. All participants are undoubtedly anticipating another extraordinary and exciting night at next year’s fashion show!
Rosalind Chang was born in the US and moved to Beijing when she was 11 years old. She is currently a grade 11 student at the International School of Beijing. At a young age, she began nurturing an enthusiasm towards literature and visual arts, this enthusiasm having only grown as the years passed. Drawing, photographing, and writing for various activities, as well as for personal purposes, Rosalind continues to cultivate her artistic and literary skills.
Angel Yu is a grade 11 student at the International School of Beijing. She has lived in Beijing for eight years and has attended ISB since grade eight. She loves writing and is an active participant of the Unit-E Magazine. Angel has a great passion for the arts and design and is currently an art student. She has participated in many art and design related activities and festivals, including the annual Charity Fashion Show. She sees writing and artistic pursuit as a fine way of expressing herself and communicating her thoughts more directly with others.
Photos by Rosalind Chang
