Ballroom Blitz Takes the Crocker House Ballroom by Storm

“Fashion is only the attempt to realize art in living forms and social intercourse," according to Sir Francis Bacon. In other words, fashion is art that you wear which is pretty cool if you think about it because now days there are virtually limitless possibilities for art. Therefore, there are also limitless options for fashion.

“Ballroom Blitz” In the Crocker House Ballroom on Friday night from 8 to 10 p.m. was the third annual fashion show sponsored by the . Five designers from New London, the surrounding area and one from New York showed off sixty pieces of their latest spring line.

Coordinator, Susan Hickman, has experienced every dimension of New London’s fashion scene starting off as a model, then designing and this year taking the reigns as the coordinator while still finding time to finish her spring line. Hickman believes “New London has always been a creative community” and hopes “the fashion show can bridge the gap between theater, performance and art.”

The show opened up with a dance performance choreographed by veteran New London fashion show model Rachel Potchoiba. The performance also put on display six pieces made of tulle and crochet designed by Jessie English. “I love dance so much, so I try to incorporate it in all of my runway shows…I always wanted to be a dancer” says English.

The ballet influence of the dance was appropriate because of the tutu/tulle base of all of the outfits. The West African influence added an interesting dimension that helped to captivate the audience.  Rachel Potchoiba who had modeled in five other fashion shows and participated in a few dance pieces was new to being a choreographer. “I was nervous at first…excited but apprehensive…but I’m really proud of the girls and happy with the result.”

Fashion show rookie Julia Simons could not have been more excited about the result of the show. “I was nervous because I thought it was going to be a more competitive thing," she said, "but the girls were really cooperative and nice…it really helped to calm my nerves.”

The fun definitely didn’t stop at the end of the runway because after the show was, naturally, the after party. DJs Charlie Chaplin (Daniel Boroughs) and Sir Round Sound (David Freeburg) provided the music as the party went on for hours after the event.  There was even a “Zoolander style” walk off where models got to strut their stuff one more time and audience members were able to join in the cat walking fun.

“Sex, confidence and Penelope Cruz, these are my influences,” designer Cristin Gallagher told Patch in passing as she danced the night away on the after party floor “Spaniard house wife, that’s my vision.” Gallagher made all of her clothing in record time designing and fabricating everything in just one week.

Hickman’s dream for a future fashion show is that it can be an outdoor theater oriented event as her designs are very avant-garde and costume oriented.  “People just love the spectacle of the fashion shows…and I love seeing my clothes on the girls.”

For more information contact Jessie English (Raw Culture), Susan Hickman (High Noon), Laree Salmon (Vintage Chic by Design), Cristin Gallagher (IMA), Vilinda McGregor Williams (Chik226 and Tithe) or Anna Lucas (Anna Lucas) for their respective line of clothing.