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Fashion Advisory Board (FAB) is showing their most recent designs in the Leap-Day Fashion and Art Show at 8 p.m., this Friday, February 29 at the college’s downtown art gallery, 106 S. Division. Yet, instead of a runway show, FAB is creating an exhibit of clothing both on the walls and on the models walking around the room.   

“We’re trying to have an art-show atmosphere,” says Erin O’Connor-Garcia, Calvin coordinator of student activities and organizations, “with fashion coordinated as a medium of art instead of a fashion-show with a runway. I’m hoping it’s an environment that’s less of a performance and more of a conversation. You can see how much work goes into these pieces up close, and hopefully they’ll spark some conversation about fashion, how we dress ourselves.”

Cooking Club, a new student organization at Calvin, is preparing a spread of seaweed wraps, bruschetta and other vegan options for the occasion, and young adults from Horizons will put their personal artworks on display.  A student string quartet will also perform.     

Rachelle Sartini, a Calvin junior majoring in art and Chinese, is looking forward to the event. “I hope that people take the time to stop in, mill around and really appreciate the different aspects of art we’re bringing together,” Sartini says. “Also, we’re bringing people together who typically wouldn’t be together, especially the Horizons group, incorporating them and appreciating the art that they’re doing.”

Sartini has been involved with FAB throughout her years at Calvin College, yet most recently has assisted one of FAB’s co-chair, Natalie Good, in the coordination of this weekend’s event. “This semester we’re looking to let loose a little bit and have fun,” she says.  

This “let loose” goal of Sartini displays FAB’s goals for this spring to breathe a breath of fresh air and try out some new things. Yet, this event also falls in line with FAB’s vision to celebrate the art of fashion while openly addressing issues related to the industry such as advertising, marketing, gender issues and social justice. 

And, as for a personal design that will be modeled this weekend, Sartini says, “Natalie is sewing the dress and I really like to knit.  I’m making some embellishments to put on the dress, and I’m also trying to make a 3-D stuffed necklace.”