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These fashionistas know how to sew

| 29 May 2012 | 03:45
    Frank Rocco as Beetlejuice wears an outfit of his own design.
    Frank Rocco as Beetlejuice wears an outfit of his own design.
    Danielle Miserendino of Lafayette gets last minute hair and makeup adjustments before the fashion show.
    Danielle Miserendino of Lafayette gets last minute hair and makeup adjustments before the fashion show.
    Danielle Miserendino of Lafayette with her newspaper dress at Sussex Tech Fashion Show.
    Danielle Miserendino of Lafayette with her newspaper dress at Sussex Tech Fashion Show.
    Models and designers wait backstage before the fashion show.
    Models and designers wait backstage before the fashion show.
    Ashley Prior, left, and her niece Adriana Hoppe, model two duct tape gowns with rhinestones interlaced with their initials. Ashley designed both. In the background, left, Rebecca Johnson, student designer and model Brooke Munoz. Photos by Joe Hicks
    Ashley Prior, left, and her niece Adriana Hoppe, model two duct tape gowns with rhinestones interlaced with their initials. Ashley designed both. In the background, left, Rebecca Johnson, student designer and model Brooke Munoz. Photos by Joe Hicks
    Backstage models and designers pose for a shot before the fashion show. From left, Frank Rocco as Beetlejuice; Niko Soto wears a fabric and duct tape hoodie; Chris Acker dressed as a card; Devon Slockbower as jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas; Ivan Ballew between costume changes.
    Backstage models and designers pose for a shot before the fashion show. From left, Frank Rocco as Beetlejuice; Niko Soto wears a fabric and duct tape hoodie; Chris Acker dressed as a card; Devon Slockbower as jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas; Ivan Ballew between costume changes.

SPARTA — Inspired by the films of Tim Burton, by Japanese anime characters and Disney princesses and by materials including satin and duct tape, students in the commercial art program at Sussex Technical School put on a dazzling fashion show last Friday, showcasing dozens of their original creations.

The commercial art program provides students accepted into the course diversified studies including graphic design, traditional layout and design, illustration, production and the opportunity to design for numerous not-for-profit organizations. The fashion area is but one component of the curriculum.

It's a big deal The fashion show is a culminating event for the commercial art student majors at Sussex Tech. Students research aspects of design, use of material, learn to lay out, design, machine and hand-sew and fabricate fashions beginning in the ninth grade and continued through their senior year. Students learn to estimate materials and make appropriate selections.

This year 88 models presented work by 60 designs. The designers created work that include children's apparel as will as specialized costume designs.

The show was presented to numerous guests, students as well as incoming freshman who had been accepted into the commercial art program. The youngest guest designer was 13 and the child models included a 5-year-old and an 8-year-old who were siblings of commercial art students. Six judges evaluated the student designs during the show. And, says Dennis Paladini, commercial art instructor, "The judges graciously provide written individualized critiques for each student designer."

The event included a student dance performance and lighting, effects and music for the entire fashion show were provided by B&G Entertainment. Numerous Sussex Tech shop programs worked together to put on this year's annual fashion show: Sussex Tech's carpentry, culinary arts, cosmetology, agricultural science/horticulture programs and support staff put in time and provided their skills on behalf of the show.

Donations were accepted for the Sussex county Chapter of the American Red Cross.