West Bloomfield Students Walk The Runway

March 27, 2018, students from West Bloomfield High School took their fashion skills to the runway raising over $2,000 for the high school DECA chapter and the class of 2018.

Students in the school fashion classes, taught by Julie Zalla, were challenged with learning how to produce a professional fashion show. More than 70 West Bloomfield High School fashion students served on either the choreography, merchandising, modeling, hospitality, staging or advertising committee to gain knowledge on the industry. Lisa Sallen, paraprofessional, co-produced the show to ensure success.

Local retailers worked closely with students and generously loaned clothing for the students to wear for the evening. Participating retailers included Men’s Wearhouse, Nojo Kicks, Party Girls, Franklin Village Boutique, Laker Landing, Guys N Gals, Hermz, Sum Girls Boutique, and more. Models were also provided the opportunity to have their hair and make-up done complimentary by local salons including On The Fly Blowout Bar, LUSH Hair Studio, Salon Tress and The Beauty Lounge.

In addition, a raffle was held with over $1,000 in prizes from local retailers. The raffle was possible due to generous donations by Lieberman Photography, Sundance Shoes, Hersh’s, Nailstix, Rear Ends and more.

Seniors, Lauren Gagnon, Kayla Zrepskey and Sydney Bruce served as student directors of the show. They shared, “It was an amazing opportunity to learn more about fashion and the marketing aspect behind it. I will take a lot of what I have learned and apply it into my future career.”

It had been five years since the fashion classes and fashion show were offered at West Bloomfield High School. Senior student director, Lauren Gagnon shared, “It was amazing to be given the opportunity to participate and direct something that hasn’t been done in awhile. I had such a great time using my marketing skills to put on such an event.”

Senior, Claire Simmons, shared how she will use the knowledge learned choreographing the show. “It was a great opportunity to set up, and be a part of an event that resembles opportunities available in the real world. I look forward to using the knowledge that I gained from this event in my future educational and professional career.”

Jordan Harvey, Senior, reflected on being the director of merchandising for the show, “It was scary at first because of the responsibility. But the show was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had during high school. It taught me so much about the industry and event planning because it was hands on. I was able to see the importance of organization, communication, and professionalism because it was such a massive production.”

Hannah Niskar, Senior, shared what she learned from helping choreograph the show. “The West Bloomfield Fashion Show was something I will always look back on in my high school career. It taught me what it was like to be in the fashion industry and how to work with people to create something great!”

McKinley Lowrey shared, “From the moment I learned our fashion class would be putting on a fashion show I was ecstatic. I have to say myself, the models, and the audience definitely enjoyed the show.”