elebration of Women ' s History Month
experience . Picking the runway look with the expert stylists and being transformed by the glam team helps build the confidence to share the look with power . It is amazing to feel the energy from the
crowd ! “ she said . All the outlooks were supplied by Saks Fifth Avenue and RJ ’ s Closet Boutique .
In preparation for show , Valerio created storyboards depicting each era and the trends that
dria Gross , and CIANJ Board Member Jennifer Solewski . Bottom row , CIANJ Board Member Mildred defined it . For example , the 1920s featured flapper dresses , beaded designs , feathered accessories , drop waist dresses , cloche hats and headbands . Jumping forward to the 50s , popular fashion showed off pencil skirts , beaded cardigans , poodle skirts , cat-eye glasses , gloves and kitten heels .
Mini skirts ruled the 1960s and the models wore them well , especially with the white go-go boots . In the 70s , disco was in the spotlight and platform shoes kicked up a storm . Halter tops , palazzo pants , wrap dresses and floppy hats left their mark too .
To portray the 80s , the models were fitted in animal prints and shoulder pads , leg warmers and oversized blazers . The next decade saw the emergence of baggy jeans , overalls and flannel shirts . The show ended with the today ’ s fun fashions for spring – white dresses , micro-finge , classic preppy layers featuring cardigans , button-downs and polo shirts .
And just as new styles were born in every era , women ’ s make-up was also reinvented to fit the latest trends . Valerio enlisted the help of the Parisian Beauty Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School in Hackensack to create the models ’ looks .
Danielle Guadarrama , the school director , said 18 students and faculty , were selected to work the show and had a wonderful learning experience . The Parisian school was started more than 75 years ago by Harry and Henrietta Comp and today it is still operated by their children , Penny Muccia and Harry Jr .
The CIANJ fashion show marked one of the first times since the pandemic that the students were invited to use their talents outside the classroom . Lisette Otero , a future professional advisor and career placement officer at the school , who supervised the student team along with Fausto Jacquez , said it was an exhilarating experience .
The students , or future professionals as they are called , got a glimpse of what a real fashion would be like . “ They definitely felt the rush and the chaos ,” Otero said . In some instances , the students had less than three minutes to completely change the models – hair , make-up and clothes .
To accomplish their tasks , Otero said , three students were working sometimes on one model . They had prepared thoroughly for the challenge . Valerio shared the vision boards with the school . “ We wanted to make sure we could deliver on all the looks ,” Otero said , adding that her colleague , Jacquez lent his creative talents to the assignment .
Their efforts landed them great kudos . “ We got some much positive feedback ” Otero said , adding that Agudo thrilled the students when she told them they were already professionals .
Photo : Russ DeSantis Photography and Video
May 2024 COMMERCE 13