Erie 1 BOCES FUSION Fashion Show showcases clothing made by Lancaster High School student

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  Courtney Stroh

West Seneca (May 13, 2022) - Students in the Erie 1 BOCES Fashion Design Technology program hit the runway with their clothing designs during the 2022 FUSION Fashion Show: Silver Linings.

Among those students was Courtney Stroh from Lancaster High School, who showcased her personally designed and crafted collections during the show. Courtney said the fashion program provided an outlet for her creativity.

“What inspires me the most about the fashion industry is how fluid it is,” she said. “An endless amount of designers can make clothing in all different styles and there will always be a market for those designs because everyone has a different style.”

The FUSION Fashion Show, which has been running since 2009, took place on May 12 at the Calspan Building at 4411 Genesee Street, Buffalo, and exhibited the work of ten high school fashion students from across Western New York. The theme for the show was developed by students, who said they considered their studies in the program as a silver lining as COVID impacted their school and personal lives.

Courtney said one inspiration for her designs is self-improvement, using the primary colors red, blue and yellow through her work.

“Those three colors can be combined to create an endless amount of different shades and colors that are just as beautiful to symbolize growth and improvement,” she said.

After her high school graduation, Courtney said she plans to attend Genesee Community College. Among her future goals is to own a boutique where she can sell her self-made clothing.

The show has evolved into a collaborative event across various Erie 1 BOCES programs. Students in the Barbering and Cosmetology program used their skills to prepare the hair and makeup of models participating in the show, while Criminal Justice students provided support for security. Students in the Digital Media program created posters and tickets for the show and recorded the live show. Meanwhile, students in the Video Production and Recording Arts program made videos to introduce each fashion student and their collection during the show.

The two-year Fashion Design Technology program at Erie 1 BOCES’ Harkness Career & Technical Center teaches students how to dress, style and create trends based on design elements and the fashion cycle. Students in the program also develop business plans as a part of their studies, setting them up for future success.

For more information about the show and the student designers, visit https://www.e1b.org/en/k-12-education-programs/fusion-2022.aspx

About Erie 1 BOCES

As part of public education, Erie 1 BOCES offers a variety of career and technical programs during the regular school day to high school students in Erie County. High school students interested in learning more about how they can participate in various programs such as fashion design, web and gaming technologies, health careers or aviation technology, should visit www.e1b.org/cte or speak with their high school counselor.

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