The annual Connecticut College Eclipse Fashion Show was on April 24 leaving no disappointment to those who admire the history and assortment of fashion throughout time and region. Now entering its 40th year, Eclipse is an annual dance production put on entirely by students. Featuring a multicultural dance show, a fashion show, and a dinner, this weekend is a celebration of cultures and their histories throughout the world.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes in order to make the fashion show successful. By reaching out to clothing vendors off campus, as well as students and campus organizations, the students who were running the show were able to get the word out about the need for models and designers. Auditions were held for models, which called for students from Connecticut College to represent clothes from various regions. Once models are cast, measurements are taken and biweekly fittings begin in order to ensure that everyone is placed in the collections. All of the models were students and contributed to the show for at least one collection. The designers featured in the show were called from outside of the College to create and fit clothes specifically for the models, ensuring that they are worn properly. The students use the fashion show as a way to add their own personal flare to a given style. The clothes are worn traditionally, but the students are able to add attitude and personality to each outfit.
Most of the clothing was historical and represented trends throughout time. To be mindful of mislabeling clothes from different countries, clothes from countries in the same vicinity were placed in the same part of any given collection. For the Asian collections, there were clothes from South and East Asia, many of which have been seen in Fusion. For the Latin collection, many of the clothes were from Mexico and Guatemala, with a few pieces from other places.
There were two non-profits from off campus that let models wear their clothes as a way of showcasing the culture that the organization identifies with. Kporma was one non-profit organization that participated in the fashion show both last year and this year. Their work to improve the educational opportunities for children in rural Liberia is what brought the fashion show together. The other non-profit organization they worked with is called Limitless Horizons. They were new to the fashion show this year. Their mission is to improve the overall literacy of and education level of children and adults in a small community in Guatemala. Both organizations showcased clothing from both countries and were given the opportunity to fundraise with 100% of the proceeds going back to their organization. CCASA (Connecticut College Asian & Asian-American Student Association) and MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) were the two organizations from on campus that contributed clothes to both the Asian and Latin collections.
Eclipse is a program that focuses on education through the arts and the use of entertainment as a way for people to willingly learn about other cultures. On a predominantly white campus, it is very important for students of color to have an outlet where they can express their own identities in an accepting environment that welcomes their peers into their perspective of their individual cultures. It is always important to remember that one person is not representative of an entire culture, race or country. Since the beginning, Eclipse has been about using artistic forms to showcase the hidden faces of Conn. This was the driving force in the plan to bring Eclipse back to its roots. That process included bringing back the fashion show, an initiative that the 2013-2014 Executive Board began. This year, based on the overwhelming success of last year’s Fashion Show, they were able to have a larger venue and continue the legacy of those who came before. The fashion show is a great opportunity for those who like to let their clothes, personality and attitude speak for them. They are able to express a side of themselves that society is not often accepting of. Eclipse began as an outlet for students of color, but has since grown to include their allies as a means of cultural self-expression for all. •
