The Memorial Union Activities Team’s annual “Slash or Slay” Halloween fashion show displayed a variety of looks from students at Oregon State. Sophia Williams, president of the Apparel Design Club and on the MU Activities Team, stated, “It’s really important for me to help student designers be shown through fashion shows and get an opportunity to show their designs.”
Many of the designers used up-cycled pieces for their looks. “What is in one piece you’ll find in the sleeve of another,” said designer Johanna Hunt, “I like to use everything until it’s done.”
Another designer, Jake Wright, also says sustainability is a big part of his designs. Wright also loves to showcase how one design can be seen in different ways. “I want to show some more versatile garments that kind of play with masculinity and femininity,” Wright said.
“The skirt is supposed to be adjustable for different waist sizes,” Wright said, pointing to a long plaid skirt. “It’s really important to me that it can fit to different people’s bodies, and to accommodate different weight fluctuations because garments are so standard and concrete and our bodies aren’t. So, why shouldn’t we make stuff and wear stuff that can adjust to that?”
Like Wright, the designers really put into consideration their models and how they play a big role when showing their designs. “Elle Stephenson, the model here, is the one who gave me the idea and had the inspiration, so I just kind of brought it to life,” Amelia Hamilton said about her design of a biblically accurate angel.
In regards to her own designs, Johanna Hunt said, “All the pieces honestly fit the models really well. Not just sizing, but personality too. I had them pick it, so you can see that shine through.”
The looks shown were very unique, and showed their style and things they love. Analicia Gutierrez not only put her personality into her designs, but into the makeup her models wore as well, with them having flushed-looking cheeks. “I, personally, have blush blindness, so I wanted to incorporate that,” Gutierrez said.
Ellie Cunnington’s design is the same every year, but just a bit different each time with the same model. “The plan is, every year is going to be an even sexier layer of Moth Man,” Cunnington said. This being her second year, the look now has an open back.
Mars Foster displayed her passion for transformative designs, where her dress turned from a white swan into a black swan. “I have always loved making dramatic outfits,” Foster said.
Some designers, like Reiko Quitevis, are very new to showing their designs. “I’m just trying to figure out how my style is as a designer and what that looks like. So, I think this is a really fun challenge,” Quitevis said.
