Thrift Fashions Make Cents for Students and Community

University of Cincinnati fashion design sophomores recently received an assignment tailor made for fun.  They were to spare every expense in retrofitting thrift-store bargains from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s local stores into new designs and garments.

Led by Margaret Schroeder, assistant professor of design, and Mary Wright, adjunct instructor of design, the students were each given a $15 voucher to purchase anything sewable – bed sheets, drapes, shower curtains, napkins, tablecloths and old clothes – and to redesign them into something fashionably new.  The students previewed their garments yesterday in UC’s

College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning

and will next exhibit them during a

St. Vincent de Paul

-sponsored fashion show Oct. 14, at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley.

For the students, the idea behind the assignment is to help them see with new eyes and to provide a chance for and the challenge of using some nontraditional materials within the design process, explained Schroeder.  Students explore their creativity and show their individual personalities by coming up with an idea.  They then have to figure out how to make it real, she added.

“It is a design challenge,” agreed student Michelle Yi of Anderson Township.  “I transformed a large blazer into a simple, elegant dress, but I kept thinking, what if I make a mistake and I don’t have enough material?  It’s not like I can go out and buy another yard of this material.  It’s unique.  If I run out, I’m out of luck.”

Her fellow students echoed Yi’s thoughts.  Wendy Mefford of Springdale made a long, 1940s-inspired, evening gown from a child’s colorful bed sheet.  “The best part,” she said, “was finishing the project and finding that it worked, and it fit.  I was afraid that it wouldn’t.”

Other highlights from the March 15 preview included Kelly Barnhill’s wedding gown made from 40 t-shirts which she cut into strips and then reassembled, along with Sarah Lade’s elegant ensemble featuring glittery, night-on-the-town pants’ cuffs and a collar both made from a black, sequined dress.

The lessons learned were all worth it, according to Kim Passmore of Centerville.  She explained that while it was difficult to stay up all night to finish her project, she’s glad for the payoff:  “Now, I have a great dress,” she said.

To find out more about the October St. Vincent de Paul fashion show, call their office at 513-562-8841.