Sewing seams of success at 40th fashion show

The sounds of beeping car horns and roaring engines were heard as the stage at the fashion show was transformed into a cityscape. 

^{Models Yaaziel Mora, left, Adriana Babineaux, center, and Erin Rodenbaugh, right, pose in streetwear inspired outfits that are made by student designers at LBCC. (Tien Nguyen)}

The models entering from each side of the auditorium, brought dozens of designs alive on the stage streets with elegant hairstyles, fierce poses and a dynamic performance, which showed the future of fashion. 

Throughout the event on Saturday a variety of original designs were presented from royal ball gowns, a collection of vibrant swimsuits with fun, bold patterns and experimental urban wear that mixed casual elements with elegance. 

^{A model, left, wears a dress designed by Millikan High School student Rudy Padilla. Model Yaaziel Mora, center, rocks a vibrant swimsuit and Crystal Gonzales, right, wears a Dia de los Muertos inspired ball gown. (Tien Nguyen)}

One student designer’s piece reflected this mix of styles, as Sarahi Vargas-Avila took casual clothes and molded them into the silhouette of a long evening dress. The cropped cardigan was made to resemble a tracksuit jacket, while the skirt flared out loosely giving it an oversized feel. 

^{Model Vicheka King poses onstage in a sports outfit designed by student designer Sarahi Vargas-Avila at LBCC’s 40th fashion show, “Urban Ecosystem: City of Synergy,” held at the LAC on Saturday. (Tien Nguyen)}

Sarahi’s passion for fashion is deeply rooted in family tradition and opportunity. 

When Sarahi Vargas-Avila’s grandma arrived in the U.S. from Mexico, she became a seamstress in the factories in downtown Los Angeles and was so for 20 years. 

She along with Sarahi’s great grandma taught Sarahi how to sew. 

Yecenia Vargas-Avila, Sarahi’s mother, was beyond proud of her daughter for sticking with her passion for fashion, and dedicating herself to it. 

She mentioned that Sarahi manages to balance creating pieces with work and school, while still being present with her family.  

Yecenia got emotional as she saw a parallel between her daughter and her mother. 

“When I was little I used to watch my mom sew in the living room and now I go in, I see my own daughter sew in her bedroom. Sun up, sun down,” Yecenia said. 

Yecenia, described Sarahi’s journey with fashion and offered her words of encouragement. 

“I always say each bird flies at its own time, and my little seed is sprouting slowly but surely and her flowers are going to be bright and beautiful,” Yecenia said. 

A new change to the fashion show was that this year was the first time a diversity of bodies were showcased. 

“We actually received some grant money to get larger size dress forms, male dress forms to be able to fit on real models, like real people so we’re seeing a lot of change. It’s exciting,” Chantel Bryant, the fashion program director said. 

^{Model Anthony Aguilar, left, models a sports inspired casual outfit that he made himself, and Ethan Bartee, wears an elegant and casual piece designed by student designer Javier Rios Diaz. (Tien Nguyen)}

One standout piece in the show was a dress that resembled a christmas tree. A short green dress with a satin finish, served as the base, while the skirt layered on top, was made out of cage and took a gridded look. 

^{Model Viktoriia Starodubtseva unveils student designer Balbina Espino’s design, while capturing just the right light during LBCC’s 40th fashion show on Saturday at the LAC. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

In between the corners of the grid, were pink flowers, which when combined with the doll-like silhouette gave a youthful feel. 

Another piece in the show that stood out was a zebra strapless mini dress, with large structured ruffles on the bottom and whimsy hot pink swirls. 

^{Crystal Gonzales, a professional model, reveals student designer Randy Fernando’s piece during the Keys to the City – Senior Collection segment during LBCC’s fashion show on Saturday. (Diosa Hippolyta and Tien Nguyen)}

These details along with the bun made out of bouncy ringlet curls, gave off effortless, glam vibes, that resembled juicy couture elegance. 

The slight undoneness of the bun, embraced that unapologetic and real attitude exuded by divas like Nicole Polizzi from Jersey Shore in the 2000s.

Amongst the models who made the show come to life Bia Barnett was a professional model who has experience in runway, catalog and editorial, has been in LBCC’s shows for the last 10 years. 

^{Adriana Tarango from Master Academy Barber School applies lip liner to Bia Barnett, a returning professional model, while preparing for LBCC’s 40th fashion show “Urban Ecosystem: City of Synergy” on Saturday. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

Bia Barnett has traveled the world doing what she loves and gave advice to future artists in the crowd, who may be inspired by the artistry in the show. 

“I would say just love it, love what you do, because not everyone can do it. You have a special gift, and let the world see it. Don’t be shy,” Barnett said. 

^{Models Rhyan Shipp, left, Bia Barnett, center, and Vicheka King, right, pose in formal designs during LBCC’s fashion show. (Tien Nguyen)}

^{A model, left, walks in a flowy, corseted design by a Millikan High School student, and model Erin Rodenbaugh, right, wears a fluffly, elegant dress by an LBCC student designer. (Tien Nguyen and Diosa Hippolyta)}

^{Model Azalea Fiore, on left and right, and Vicheka King, center, wear dresses giving ocean, mermaid vibes with turquoise and purple hues. (Tien Nguyen and Diosa Hippolyta)}

^{Model Madison English, left, wears a vibrant and tiger patterned swimsuit, while model Adriana Babineaux, right, wears a swimsuit that is crotched by hand. (Tien Nguyen and Diosa Hippolyta)}

^{Models line up onstage at the end of the evening wear performance during LBCC’s 40th fashion show on Saturday. (Tien Nguyen)}

^{Model Crystal Gonzales rocks a flowy dress that mixes casual elements wih formal ones. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

^{Model Madison English, left, wears a gothic, Victorian ball gown, Bia Barnett, center, a frilly dress and Crystal Gonzales, right, a dress with scalloped details. (Tien Nguyen)}

^{Model Crystal Gonzales rocks a look that blends elegant elements with causal on-the-go ones. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

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Behind the Scenes

^{Model Vicheka King glues her lashes on while getting ready for LBCC’s fashion show on Saturday. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

^{Crystal Gonzales, front, a professional model, and Alicia Kurimska, a community model selected by the fashion team, practice their runway walks during training at the dress rehearsal session on May 29 at the LAC. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

^{Models and D’Jesus Trujillo, right, a fashion advisor and model coach, advises models during the dress rehearsal session on May 29 at LAC. (Diosa Hippolyta)}