On Saturday, Albright College students hosted the Divine Fashion Show. Organizer Starlene Williams, an Albright senior and fashion designer, said that she chose the name Divine to celebrate the creations of her fellow designers.
To cheers and shouts of “yaas,” the glamorous models strutted down the runway on Albright’s Science Field.
There was not only fashion for the Albright students that gathered Saturday night but live music and performances, everything from original rap songs to champion Irish dancer Haylee Kirk. I got a chance to chat with some of the student designers and do a Q&A with them:
Starlene Williams, senior
Where are you from? Reading
What inspires you? Everything inspires me. What I see on social media, on the streets, celebrities, nature. We can get inspiration from anywhere we look.
Who is your personal style icon? I really love Rihanna and Zendaya’s styles.
If you could raid anyone in the world’s wardrobe, whose would it be? Probably Ariana Grande.
What statement did you want to make with your designs tonight? I wanted people to know that the models were comfortable as well as confident in their looks. They were all meant to symbolize the same thing which is being confident in yourself and expressing yourself.
What are three words that best describe your designs? Street, classy and comfortable.
What are your plans for after you graduate? I would like to open my own boutique and sell stuff that I feel everybody could kind of aim towards and feel comfortable wearing.
Tshedup Lama, junior
Where are you from? Nepal, but I grew up in Queens, New York
What inspires you? A lot of my collection is based on artwork. Trying something new. Since our fashion industry is going towards sustainability now, I’m doing upcycling now. My brand is called Unfinished by Dupos. (His nickname since childhood)
Who is your personal style icon? I would say Bluboy.
If you could raid anyone in the world’s wardrobe, whose would it be? Bloody Osiris
What statement did you want to make with your designs tonight? I’ve fallen in love with menswear fashion. It’s a mixture of art and street styles inspired by the diverse and unique ambience of New York City.
What are three words that best describe your designs? Rowdy, artistic and fun.
What are your plans for after you graduate? My long-term goal is to start my own brand, but after I graduate I would like to start working in New York City or Los Angeles.
Katelyn Schweitzer, freshman
Where are you from? Bangor, Pennsylvania
What inspires you: My love for bright and bold colors.
Who is your personal style icon? Caroline Vazanna.
If you could raid anyone in the world’s wardrobe, whose would it be? Betse Johnson
What statement did you want to make with your designs tonight? That you shouldn’t be afraid to wear something bold.
What are three words that best describe your designs? Colorful, creative and motivating.
What are your plans for after you graduate? I want to end up in New York City and have my own business and everything.
Quentin Menefee, senior
Where are you from? Philadelphia
What inspires you? My own personal style, which is street and luxury mixed, and I want to send messages through my clothing also.
Who is your personal style icon? Kerby Jean-Raymond.
If you could raid anyone in the world’s wardrobe, whose would it be? Probably A$AP Rocky.
What statement did you want to make with your designs tonight? I was just trying to talk about how mental health is important, especially when everyone is inside, and especially when the mental health of men is not taken seriously. I also wanted to show how there can be beauty in destruction.
What are three words that best describe your designs? Bold, beautiful and distressed.
What are your plans for after you graduate? I hope to become a creative director of a street or luxury company, then I eventually want to start my own brand and have it be a world name.
Desiya Smith, senior
Where are you from? Philadelphia
What inspires you? With the hardship that happened in 2020, I use grays and yellows to incorporate how gray 2020 was and how bright 2021 will be.
Who is your personal style icon? Aaliyah
If you could raid anyone in the world’s wardrobe, whose would it be? Rihanna’s
What statement did you want to make with your designs tonight? To just be you and be bold, be cheerful.
What are three words that best describe your designs? Fun, adventurous and unique.
What are your plans for after you graduate? I plan on making my own brand of lingerie and swimwear, and hopefully getting a store and being able to visually merchandise my work.