The Frist South Lawn was transformed into a modeling runway Friday night, as more than 500 people packed into a large white tent to watch the fifth annual Operation Style Fashion Show.
The event, featuring expensive clothing and performances by several student groups, raised money for Operation Smile, a charity that repairs childhood facial deformities.
Kristie Magee Porcoro, the daughter of the founder of Operation Smile, spoke briefly about the history of Operation Smile, which has helped more than 10,000 children to date. Every $240 donated to Operation Smile helps one child receive facial surgery.
"In 45 minutes, you can take a child from hopelessness to possibility," Porcoro said.
Through donations, raffle tickets, ticket sales and T-shirt and jeans sales, the group has raised $9,000, Julia Shneyderman '07, one of the event organizers, said. So far, this year's event has raised enough to help nearly 40 children. More proceeds will be coming in through the next few weeks from the silent auction.
The fashion show featured the latest styles from both student and professional designers.
Models were selected from auditions in early March. "Diversity was a huge consideration in model selection," Shneyderman said.
Student designers were able to pick their own models, contributing even more to a wide range of looks. There were 16 male and 29 female models.
Models walked elegantly down the runway, though behind the scenes, things were more chaotic.
"It was really hectic backstage," model Dhwani Shah '09 said. "And while I was feeling frazzled on the inside, I wanted to portray an image of confidence on the outside. I kept telling myself, 'I'm going to look good!' "
While walking down the runway, Shah had to deal with more than blinding lights and pounding music. "I didn't wear my own shoes," Shah said. "None of the shoes I wore fit me. So I was thinking, 'Please don't fall. Please don't fall.' I was just trying to stay on my feet."
The master and mistress of ceremony were Robert Wai Wong '06 and Lauren Lyon '06.
"They were a lot of fun on stage," Shneyderman said of Wong and Lyon. "They could play off each other and both know a lot about the charity."
Performers included Natasha Kalimada '07 and Jamaal Clue '06, as well as members of BAC, BodyHype, diSiac, Naacho, Shere Khan, Sympoh and the Tigertones. Mautua Kelley '07 came an hour early to get a good seat. "I know that a lot of talented students have put a huge effort into the show and I imagine that it is going to be awesome as always," Kelley said.
The women's networking organization 85 Broads, founded by Janet Hanson, donated $10,000 to Operation Style to cover the costs of the show, contribute to Operation Smile and provide a $5,000 scholarship to the winner of the 85 Broads Young Designer Competition.
Kafayat Babajide '08 won the 85 Broads Young Designer Scholarship. Her designs were influenced by various African and European cultures. "As an amateur designer, all I really envision is a line that boasts multiculturalism and unity, so I go with the flag themes and my designs are influenced by various cultural fashions," Babajide said.
The Operation Style event began five years ago when Cyrena Chih '05, Camille Gray '05 and Mara Weinstein '05 wanted to start a charity fashion show. They initially paired with other charity groups. The Operation Style alliance with Operation Smile began three years ago.
"It was great to see so many people coming out and having fun," Shneyderman said. "The show has become an established event that people expect and look forward to."
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