Fashion Careers hosted its annual fashion show yesterday. You missed it? The classes couldn’t put on the usual student runway show during lunch or the optional assembly. Insufficient fundraising forced Fashion Careers to limit the production to one evening show.

“We didn’t raise as much money as we needed, so we could only pay the tech crew for one performance,” Fashion Careers I student Haylee Slocum said.

The show is produced completely by the students in Fashion Careers. Promotion, modeling, music, commentary and merchandising committees pull together all aspects of the show.

“I have to keep an eye on all of the committees and make sure everything is fitting together,” coordinator junior Peyton Smith said.

Although there are usually two performances, the student show during lunch was cut to one show due to limited funds. Each student was charged $3 admission, but most of the profits will go to benefit Haiti relief. Any other money raised will go to the class fund.

“Two of the three dollars will be donated, but the rest will go toward Fashion Careers classes’ expenses,” Smith said.

Each year, the outfits have a common theme selected by the class. This year, Candyland was chosen as the theme to tie the scenes together.

“ a Candyland theme because bright bold colors were predicted to be a prominent trend for spring 2010,” Smith said.

Preparation started in late January, and both classes helped to organize outfits donated by local businesses. According to Fashion Careers teacher Erin Samborski, gathering outfits was labor-intensive and continued up until a week before the final runway show. Every model had two outfits, plus extra formal looks.

“Doing the fashion show for the first time has shown me trends coming up and how to coordinate them into my everyday wardrobe,” Slocum said.

The models played a large role as well. All Fashion Careers I students walked the runway, unless they chose to opt out. Male models are students nominated by the classes, and teachers are chosen as well. Female models practice by taking a class at Hoffman International, a local modeling agency.

“We have to learn the basics of walking, posing and just being on the runway,” Slocum said. “Modeling makes you feel confident.”

Fashion Careers students also gained experience that will be critical if they continue on to work in the fashion industry.

“ takes a lot of organization,” Samborski said. “It teaches the students to delegate responsibility.”