Erie 1 BOCES FUSION Fashion Show showcases clothing made by Kenmore-Tonawanda student

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  Eliana Craig

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 Eliana Craig from Kenmore-Tonawanda, who showcased her personally designed and crafted collections during the show. Eliana said she wanted her work to create an “ethereal look.”

“I wanted to aim for something no one's ever seen before and something that projects my own unique look,” Eliana said.

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.

Eliana said one of the favorite parts of her fashion studies is in sketching.

“I can come up with beautiful and ‘out there’ designs that I see in my head, and then bring them into reality,” she said.

Eliana said the Erie 1 BOCES Fashion Design program has helped her determine her future plans. After high school graduation, Eliana plans to attend Genesee Community College to study fashion business. Among Eliana’s goals is to work in the fashion industry in New York City.

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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