Emeerging Talent at Runway 8.0!

            Year of the Innovator was the theme at the annual Runway fashion show hosted by the Fashion and Textile Technology department of Buffalo State College. The central theme of Innovation aimed to give everyone a chance to see the world in a new light and expand the possibilities. Runway 8.0 allowed faculty, staff and students to combine their creativity and originality to produce designs that were beyond average. The show took place Saturday, April 25, 2015.

            Buffalo State’s Social Hall was transformed into a sleek runway show with dim, colorful lights and large projectors that featured different graphics throughout the show. Alongside side the central stage were light fixtures in twisted shapes that went from floor to ceiling. The runway was also illuminated with overhead lights as models walked down the cat walk.

            Cierra Johnson from WKBW Channel 7 Eyewitness News was the emcee for Runway’s 8 P.M. show and opened the show with a cheerful attitude in her colorful dress.  

            Runway 8.0 featured collections from faulty member David Brinson, the Teacher’s College of Beijing Union University, the FinnFest Project, and from Buffalo State’s very own students and seniors.

            The show also featured over 35 designs with individual collections from students and designers. There were more than 100 models walking.

            The show commenced with loud, thumping music as each model walked down the runway with their hand-made gowns and high heels. Each model’s hair and makeup was styled to perfection.

            Each collection was unique and had unpredictable twists. One collection tried to integrate the use of zippers in the dresses while another combined lingerie into everyday wear. One designer even created a dress that lights up in the dark.

         

   Some designs had clever patterns featuring flowers, while others played with color, ranging from neutrals to very bright yellows and oranges. One stand-out design, from Jose Moscoso’s collection, was a plus design featuring a long black skirt with an intricate design on it and matching crop top. Model Nicole Stayton, the only plus model in the show, walked down the runway as the skirt moved gracefully along with her.

            The senior designers segment of the show featured a short clip of each senior describing their inspiration for their collection and what the theme, innovation, means to them.

            At the conclusion of the show, awards were given to several students, which included First Place Senior Collection, Second Place Senior Collection, Best in Show, and Best Student Collection Award.

            Senior Elizabeth Knights took home the First Place Senior Collection while Francine Saternus won second place. Best in Show went to Hannah Trainer and Jose Moscoso and his plus design took the Best Student Collection Award.

            After the show, Jose Moscoso and his model and best friend, Nicole Stayton, shared their experience participating in Runway 8.0. 

            “It started off with a painting I did,” he said. “It kind of just came to me. I made a painting and I just threw red, blue, and yellow colors on a plain canvas and those colors just stood out so much to me and it dissolved into I want to make a collection where it’s mostly primary colors on black and white.”

            Moscoso was the only designer in the show to feature a plus model, however, he says it was unintentional: “I didn’t think about it. I was just like ‘Oh, you would fit this outfit perfectly.’” He also described how he was designing the garment, and Stayton had come to mind.

            Stayton also chimed in, offering praise for her best friend: “I think that’s a good thing about Jose as a designer. He doesn’t look at people for their size, he looks at how a garment will fit or will fit their personality. That’s why when people were going up to him and everyone was saying ‘Oh, you have the only plus size model in the show,’ it wasn’t something he was thinking about.”

            Stayton also described her feelings leading up to the show because she was the only plus model. “I was a little nervous. It was something that I didn’t really notice, but I guess everyone else was noticing.”

            She also added, “I just want it to be fashion. Whether you have someone that’s a size 14 on the runway or a size 0, why does it have to be different? Why can’t it just be ‘Oh my God, look at her outfit’ and not have to be about ‘Oh, she’s plus size’ and ‘Oh, she’s skinny.’ Everyone is beautiful whether you’re skinny or whether you’re a size 14.”

            Overall, both Moscoso and Stayton had a great experience with the show and would do it again the next day if they had the chance.

            Buffalo State’s Runway 8.0 Innovation show gave all the students, faculty and staff the chance to showcase their talents and work hard.

            “I just feel like we all had so much fun. It was a little hectic and it got kind of crazy, and there was confusion at times, but I feel like it just all worked out so well,” Moscoso described.