CREDIT: FANSHAWE MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT/FACEBOOK
Fanshawe's fashion marketing and management program teamed up with Lexus of London for this year's Motion Wearable Art Fashion Show

Fanshawe fashion marketing and management and design foundations students are hard at work building momentum for their upcoming Motion Wearable Art Fashion Show. For this year's fashion show, Lexus has collaborated with Fanshawe College to present an evening full of inventive auto-themed experiences and designs. This is the first time the annual fashion show has partnered with a business.

Linda Jenken, a professor for the fashion marketing and management program, explained that Lexus provided the design students with items such as recyclable car parts, air bags, signs from the Lexus showroom, seatbelt straps and more to incorporate into their garments. When asked what students thought of this year's motion theme, Jenken said, “They loved it. They thought it was a unique concept and also appreciated having some of the materials provided. It's very similar to Project Runway when you are given a theme. [...] They were able to go through all of the items that were laid down on the table and pick what they wanted and [did] whatever they could to embellish [their garment].”

The fashion show will take place at the Lexus dealership at 1065 Wharncliffe Rd S on April 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. “[Attendees] will see over 30 garments that are all inspired by the theme of motion and the brand of Lexus,” said Jenken. There will also be some students showing their concepts from their initial inspiration right down to their finished garments.

The event will also feature a cocktail reception as well as a silent auction. Tickets are available for purchase for $15 at Live Chic, at the School of Design office (M3010) and through the Motion Wearable Art Fashion Show Facebook event page.

Dustin White, a student in the fashion marketing and management program, shared his thoughts on this year's motion theme, “It is definitely a neat theme, something that was not really touched upon. It was really cool to bring [such an idea] to life with the garments.” He explained that his group's inspiration for their garment was a racetrack, which incorporated zippers and a carpet-like fabric from a car into the outfit.

Some past themes for the Wearable Art Fashion Show include: superheroes and villains, under the sea, the future and outer space.

Jillian Crow and Nick Cinjau, two fashion marketing and management students who are also in the process of putting together a garment for the fashion show, explained that their outfit has both seatbelt straps and headlights incorporated into it. Cinjau said that it is exciting to see their idea, which was originally sketched on a piece of paper, soon becoming a finished product that will be presented on the runway. “Things are coming together and I think by the time [the garment] goes down the runway, it's going to look very interesting. I'm also interested in seeing what everyone else is doing too.”

Crow added that it is an interesting opportunity to learn more about the designer's role in a fashion show production. “It's interesting because we are in a design program per se, but we are more into the marketing and background of it all. To have that opportunity to actually become the designer lends us an opening to [see] what they go through as well. It's really nice to kind of have involvement in all aspects of fashion business,” Crow said.

For more information, visit the the Wearable Art Fashion Show Facebook event on Fanshawe College's fashion marketing and management Facebook page.