Students hit catwalk at ICONZ show

MSU students didn’t have to travel to Paris, New York or London to see cool fashion and hot models during homecoming weekend. They just needed to go to IM Sports-West.

On Sunday night, IM Sports-West’s main gym became a glitzy and glamorous catwalk, showcasing about 30 MSU students who took center stage to strut their stuff.

The second annual ICONZ Fashion Show, hosted by PS Magazine and Purpose, a registered student organization, drew more than 600 students, friends and family members.

“It’s something that’s completely different from any other fashion show,” show organizer and MSU alumnus Cyrus McNeal said. “We’re really trying to break the mold by bringing something new.”

The show, titled I AM LEGEND, was split into two acts. The plot revolved around four friends who are going through a process of change and deciding what kind of people they should become. The changes were demonstrated by a clean-cut and preppy look, contrasted with a more edgy and intense flair.

All models for the show were MSU students selected to participate last semester based on their personality, life experience, modeling and leadership potential. It was model and marketing junior Karina Tovar’s first experience on the catwalk.

“I just wanted to try a new experience … I’ve never done this before and it seemed like a really fun thing to get involved in,” Tovar said. “It was different than maybe a regular modeling thing; it wasn’t catty or anything. We’re actually sad that the show is over now.”

The show was preceded by a short presentation by Path of Pink, a local nonprofit organization that consolidates information for women with breast cancer.

The pre-show included nearly a dozen models wearing outfits designed by the MSU Student Apparel Design Association.

The designs had varying amounts of pink to highlight the involvement of Path of Pink and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Clothing for the main show was provided by Express, The Refinery, S&K Menswear, Old Navy, American Apparel and Caché. Other sponsors included McDonalds, Monster Energy, RetroDuck, ASMSU and Path of Pink.

Seating for the show was separated into $10 bleacher seats, $20 floor seats and $80 for VIP tables close to the runway.

Proceeds from the event go toward covering this year’s show costs and to fund future fashion shows.

One such VIP guest was arts and humanities sophomore Chelsea Kinjorski, who came to see her friend Katherine Rohr model in the show. Kinjorski said she was surprised and impressed by the concept of the show.

“I’ve been to fashion shows before, but not like this,” she said. “The intensity really sets this one apart.”

Nutritional science senior and model Je’Todd Smith modeled in the ICONZ show last year because he was drawn by the ICONZ name and wanted to do it again.

“The name is catchy — ICONZ — it looks real good,” Smith said. “I really enjoyed what we did last year so I thought I’d come back and do it bigger and better.”

He added he was happy about the hundreds of women who screamed and whistled when he went shirtless at one point during the show.

“Oh, it just feels great,” he said. “It’s every man’s dream.”

McNeal hopes to offer the opportunity to a new group of students next semester.

“We had a great group of models and a great group of students,” he said. “Next spring we’re doing it all over again, we’re going to only improve from here.”

Published on Monday, October 6, 2008