Students Showcase Fashion: LHHS to Host Free Show Thursday

Submitted by Betsy Parker. Article by Jackie Leatherman, Today’s News-Hearld.

Lake Havasu High School’s fashion students will once again debut their creative wardrobes Thursday evening, with a few changes to the annual program.

For the past two years, the school’s advanced fashion students worked in teams, created a theme under which to design up to seven garments, then found models to wear their lines.

But this year, the show will feature beginning and advanced students who worked separately to make clothes for themselves, which they also will model themselves. Seventy outfits will be showcased.

The free fashion show begins at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Havasu High School’s Performing Arts Center at 2675 S. Palo Verde Blvd. The students are asking for donations to help fund their annual fall trip to Phoenix Fashion Week. For the past two years, the students have been part of the Lake Havasu Fashion Week, which featured local businesses and out-of-city designers, organized by a Main Street merchant.

“This year we are doing (the show) a little different,” said LHHS Fashion teacher Deb Strother. “Because they are making garments for themselves, the creativity level has gone through the roof. We have some pretty spectacular (garments this show).”

LHHS senior Rebecca Anderson is the only student who designed a line with team members in 2011 and is now working on her own.

She said working with a team developed needed skills, but she preferred working on her own, using her own designs. For the show, Anderson made a “vintage” outfit, a business suit and her prom dress.

“I think it’s a great way to support these girls (by attending the show),” she said. “Especially now a days when a lot of girls have self-esteem issues and now we are making them go out there and present not only themselves, but a garment that they made. I think if the community (was there supporting), then maybe girls in high school wouldn’t have as many self-confidence issues knowing they could walk on stage and the whole community is right there backing them up, saying ‘You are doing a great job. You are doing something awesome. You are making beautiful garments.’”

Junior Viviana Sandez is showing her clothes for the first time this year.

“I’m kind of nervous,” she said. “(It’s) my first time and I’m just shy.”

But Senior Shyla Perkins said she was “excited” for her first appearance in the fashion show.

“When you put so much time and effort into something and you show it off, it’s an amazing feeling,” she said. “It’s just exciting.”