Runaway Runway 2011

Last Friday, The Columbia Design League put on its annual fashion show, Runaway Runway. The event is open to the public for submissions, provided that the designer uses materials that are used or post-consumer (i.e. on their way to a landfill). The purpose is to show new uses for materials that have "reached the end of their lifecycle".

This year it was co-sponsored by Palmetto Clean Energy, a nonprofit organization that supports the development or renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass.

"As Earth Month draws to an end and spring fashions burst into full bloom, Runaway Runway proves perennially that great design and sustainability go hand in hand," Anna Redwine, President of Columbia Design League, was quoted as saying in the program.

Autumn Taylor modeled this Lady Gaga inspired piece made out of vinyl records, telephones and glass created by Molly McNutt

Julie Taylor models her own look made from computer wire, circuit boards, keys and mouse

Elizabeth Griffen models a look created by Caroline Hatchell, made from pine straw, leaves, flowers and telephone wire

Skylar Novak (and Penelope) modeled designs by Jill Alewine made from landscaping fabric, zip ties, dryer lint and bottle tops

Karen Cho models a look by Becky Groth and Kate Williams, made out of cds, albums, LPs, 45s, cassette tapes and packaging materials

Brannon Lewis modeled this Marilyn Monroe inspired look, created by Deana Rennick made with coat hangers, plastic cups, sheets, thread and staples

Penelope McDougall (left) models her own design, made from scrubs, shower curtain and window gels. Carolyn Walden (right) models Liesel & Susan Hamilton's outfit, created from stuffed animals, curtains, grocery bags and interfacing

The winning look went to Miles Purvis who designed this "Mad Hatter" look from a concept of "Alice in Recycle Land". Modeled by Mary Kathryn Gatlin, the look was made from aluminum cans, staples and thread and won the first ever Bruce Bahr Award especially designed by local artist Christian Thee.

Here is a list of all of this year's winners:

Congratulations to Runaway Runway 2011 winner Miles Purvis!

Craftsmanship Winner – Designers Kirkland Smith and Liz Melendez

Greenability Winner – Designer Lani Stringer

Originality Winner – Designers The Real Housewives of Crystal Pines

Wearability Winner – Designers Liesel and Susan Hamilton

Top Model – Amanda Bluestein

Top Design and Audience Favorite – Designer Miles Purvis

Check out Sid & Nancy's for arrival pictures

Photo's courtesy of Jill Alewine via Runaway Runway's Facebook page

Brad Boultinghouse’s Fashion Show

On April 21, 2011 Brad Boultinghouse gave a fashion show at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Patio. The scenery was perfect for what was going to be a night full of fun and fabulous fashion. Brad, a USC student, started designing in 2007 and never looked back. This collection was inspired by the deteriorative nature of color, which is why it went from white to pink, to grey, to finally black. Black was the final symbolization of the strongest type of person. He really played with textures and little details, which made every piece eye-catching and mesmerizing.

What is so great about each look was that they were very hard looks from far away, but then you see the elements of femininity to each piece which makes it girly and wearable.

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USC Fashion Week Fashion Show

On Thursday, April 14^th, the USC Fashion Board put on their third annual fashion show, utilizing local retailers from the downtown area.

Just the Thing

Van Jean

Van Jean

Brittons

Aside from the great fashions that were graciously loaned from the local retailers, the fashion show featured a local up-and-coming designer, Laura McCall. McCall, a sophomore attending USC as a Fashion Merchandising major, learned how to sew her junior year in high school from her grandmother. She started sewing with her grandmother’s old draperies and has been designing with those fabrics ever since.

McCall in self-designed shorts

"I'm very inspired by interior design," began McCall. "I'm mostly attracted to upholstery and drapery fabrics. Places like the Biltimore Estate, Versailles and various other European castles and chateaus etc. have the most beautiful fabrics in their extravagantly designed interior rooms on everything from chairs, to beds, to walls. I find these fabrics intriguing and challenging."

Dress designed by McCall

Her designs give off a sophisticated, hobo-inspired chicness, which she hopes consumers can relate to and even draw a sense of pride and confidence from when wearing her pieces. "I know it sounds silly not to be confident and prideful in your sense of style and selection of clothing, but so many people aren't," said McCall. "Having a classic silhouette but with a knockout bold, different, yet tastefully standout fabric print speaks volumes about confidence and pride."

Top designed by McCall

"I want to eventually have my own line," McCall said in regards to her future plans. "I realize that takes a lot of work so I'm focusing on starting small and working my way up. Ultimately I'm all about the garment construction and what fabric goes with what silhouette, with what bag, shoe, etc. I enjoy making clothing so much and want to make a career out of that to the best of my abilities!"

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