If you are looking for proof of the link between fashion and revolution, simply consider the significance of a basic t-shirt that reads, “Legalize L.A.” or a canvas bag stamped with “Go Green.” It is this idea of upheaval, transformation and change that has inspired the annual Fashion and Student Trends fashion show, “Catalyst.”
“Catalyst” will take place tonight at 7 p.m., in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. The show will feature the clothing lines of 12 student designers and 25 student models on a revamped stage, as well as performances by NSU Modern and ACA.
“For the past three years the fashion show has been “˜Rebirth,’ “˜Grounded’ and then “˜Unleashed.’ This year we were trying to think of what happens after you’ve been “˜Unleashed,’ and we wanted a theme that would cause a revolution but was also fashion related,” said fourth-year art student and president of FAST Aimee Sorek. “We came up with the name “˜Catalyst,’ which for us means creating change, creating action.”
Each of the 12 student designers have been charged with the task of designing a clothing line in less than six months that personifies this theme. For designer and first-year Design | Media Arts student Anna Reutinger, this challenge meant creating clothing inspired by her grandmother, which she achieved with her line “Gma.”
“I decided to explore catalysts in my own life. I pulled from my craft background like embroidery and knitting, and those craft techniques were taught by my grandma,” Reutinger said. “A lot of the pieces have looks that would be associated with grandmas ““ gaudy floral prints and brocade. My grandma started the train of creativity that inspired my family.”
For third-year Design | Media Arts student Ali Guerin, the show’s theme takes on more political implications. Guerin’s line, “Cataclysmic,” explores the visual consequences of war.
“When I heard the name of the show, “˜Catalyst,’ I immediately thought of sparks and flames and then from there, I went to bombs and destruction. I am trying to show with my line the destruction that is being created with war,” Guerin said.
Although Guerin said she hopes her line will inspire a deeper consideration of the brutality of war, the artistic aspect of her clothing is also highly important.
“There is a political twist to my line, I still wanted it to be visually interesting, but I am coming at it from a mindset of anti-war,” Guerin said.
The struggle to meet the aesthetic expectations associated with a complete fashion line can also be heightened by some designers’ initially limited technical skills. Third-year art student Jennifer Davis was inspired to participate in “Catalyst” after working with Guerin in the Resident Runway fall 2008 fashion competition on the Hill and winning first place. Despite Davis’ eagerness to design her own line for FAST, she soon realized putting together multiple garments was no easy task.
“I have very limited technical skill, I’ve never taken a fashion design class, so garment construction is still very new to me,” Davis said. “I am learning as I go, and it is putting my creativity to the test. I am just pressing on, and I have made good progress.”
For FAST veteran designer and model director, Hector Marquez, the challenges of this year’s show were not so much about technical skill, as they were about time commitment. The fourth-year Chicana and Chicano studies student found himself trying to balance finishing up his degree, training models, and perfecting his line, “Malintzin Tenepal.”
“There is a lot of pressure to finish up classes and work and finding time to prepare for life after graduation. You always run out of time and you wish you could do more. It’s challenging trying to fit in a whole collection of clothing on top of school and a social life,” Marquez said.
Despite the trials of being a graduating designer, Marquez drew inspiration for his line from the culmination of his undergraduate experiences.
“I started looking back and reflecting on my major and my time here at UCLA and this line just came out,” Marquez said. “When I thought of “˜Catalyst’ I thought of reflecting on the past to move forward ““ a relationship of contradictions in history and in time, seeing how the world really isn’t black and white and it never has been.”
No matter the interpretation of the theme, or the challenges and triumphs of each individual designer, “Catalyst” is first and foremost a collaborative effort. Audience members are encouraged to bring clothing donations to the door for the charity Food on Foot, benefiting the homeless.
Sorek said she hopes audience members leave enlightened about the possibilities fashion offers.
“I hope people feel inspired, and they walk away feeling like they can’t believe fashion can say so much about certain issues,” Sorek said. “I want them to see the creativity and passion students have. If someone walks away feeling like the clothing they saw can create change and can create action, then that is worth every second on the runway.”
