GCC's 33rd Annual Fashion Show is 'Ethereal' and it's the hot ticket this spring

Press release:

From Grecian Utopia to Americana; Eden to Ooh Laa Laa, the scenes at Genesee Community College's 33rd Annual Fashion Show, "Ethereal," are sure to leave viewers Enchanted, with a Glorious display in the show's tradition of excellence. Advance tickets are highly recommended for the event on Saturday, April 26. Two complete shows are planned, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the William W. Stuart Forum on the Batavia campus.

Ethereal is produced by GCC Fashion Merchandising and Design students under the guidance of GCC Business professors Rick Dudkowski and Donna Ehrhart. Students began developing theme ideas for the show last semester. They have been busy rehearsing with the more than 100 models who will appear in the 11 scenes. Some of the scenes will feature original creations by Fashion Design students. Fashion Merchandising students are collaborating with nationally acclaimed vendors including Buffalo David Bitton and other original designers, some featuring fabrics all the way from Korea.

The planned scenes include:

1.    Revival -- designed and produced by Natalie Brown

2.    Catherine Ivelisse -- designed and produced by Catherine Morales

3.    Let Them Be Little -- produced by Lilia Kesterke and Taylor Bunch. Clothes provided by Gymboree, Eastview Mall

4.    Ooh Laa Laa -- produced by Tiffany Carter with apparel by Chihiro Furukawa

5.    Enchanted -- produced by Shelby Wallenhorst and Ashley Husted with apparel by Buffalo David Bitton and Maurices

6.    Eden -- designed and produced by Megumi Nozaka

7.    Glorious -- produced by Quintessa Wallace with apparel designed by Abby Lee Wilcox

8.    Grecian Utopia -- designed and produced by Catherine Kelkenberg with assistance from Asahi Nakamigawa

9.    Americana -- designed and produced by Tyler Annalora and Alaina Shannon

10.    ÉCLAT XIIIXVII -- designed and produced by Candace Cooper with assistance from Ariana Sneed

11.    Ambience -- produced by Kelly Wetherby and Lekha Anderson with apparel by M.A. Carr Bridal and Charles Men's Shop

Along with enjoying the fashions presented during the show, which is a capstone project for many GCC students, guests will have a chance to win a variety of door prizes from restaurant gift certificates to gift cards and baskets. They will also have an opportunity to meet the scene coordinators at the post-show after party in the cafeteria.

In addition to the Fashion Merchandising and Design students, Criminal Justice students will be providing security. Tourism and Hospitality Management students develop the exquisite after party and assist with the decorating, and GCC's Communications and Media arts students will be promoting the event on WGCC. Finally, Digital Art students work alongside the Fashion Merchandising and Design students to create the Ethereal logo, brand and various promotional materials.

"The way our students from various departments come together to make this annual Fashion Show a huge success always impresses me," Dudkowski said. "This year's program will have some dynamic new features and we're all excited to see it on stage."

Tickets for the shows are available for $5 in advance or $7 at the door and can be purchased by calling 585-345-6830 or e-mail cmyoung@genesee.edu. Advance tickets are strongly recommended and must be purchased by April 24.

You can read more about the creation of the scenes, the students and happenings in the fashion program at the GCC fashion blog http://gcccampusblog.wordpress.com/category/fashion/.