Feature photo by Stever Porter/The Telescope
Over 900 guests attended the annual fashion show presented by the Palomar College Fashion Merchandising and Design class at the California Center for the Arts on April 24.
Moda Xtreme, a student produced show that featured clothing lines developed from current Palomar students, showcased almost 200 pieces displayed down the runway by 58 models.
“It’s like a capstone kind of class where all the skills that they’ve learned can come together in one,” said Student Facilitator Rita Campo-Griggs.
This year’s show featured both new and returning student designers.
After being part of the production class last year, Nicola Hopwood decided that she too wanted to become a designer.
“I saw all the designers and how excited they were and I saw that they were my age, so I’m like I have to do that and after watching all the clothes go down the runway, it just inspires you to do it,” Hopwood said.
Yanin Luna said that she returned as a designer for the second time because she really wanted to show something different from last year. She also said that she already has the designs in her mind that if she can, wants to use in next year’s show.
According to Campo-Griggs, the student designers are responsible for every stage of development for their lines.
“Starting off with sketches, illustrations, then creating the pattern, then they’ll start cutting everything out and sewing it,” Campo-Griggs said.
Before the models started down the runway, Palomar College Alumnus Malcolm McCassy spoke about how years earlier, he had taken some of the same fashion classes and how appreciative of Palomar College he is.
McCassy has worked in the fashion industry since he was 15 and with the support of hip hop artist Lil John, he eventually created his own underwear brand, Ethika.
“I feel grateful that I’ve started a brand and done things but I think it’s a big reward to have your initial inspiration from a teacher, from a college and then be asked by that teacher to come over a decade later to speak in front of the future of fashion design, merchandising and business,” McCassy said.
