By Liana Satenstein
Students boldly posed on the runway on Saturday, Nov. 22 in a benefit for the National Military Family Association (NMFA). Destination Runway, an annual charity fashion show, has become a University sensation involving students from a variety of clubs and on-campus organizations.
"Because Hofstra University hosted the presidential debate and everyone is conscience of today's political issues, the NMFA appeared to be an excellent choice for this year's charity," said Rebecca Carlson, a member of Prestige Agency, the University's first public relation's agency.
The NMFA, a non-profit organization, was founded by military wives and widows in 1969 who sought to benefit the lives of military personnel and retirees. Since then, the NMFA has grown and is supported by volunteer governors and officers. It now works with numerous military associations and sponsors many beneficial programs, including camps for the children of deployed service members, and provides various scholarships. The NMFA seeks to raise awareness and educate both those associated with the military and the general public while making helpful improvements in the lives of military families.
Destination Runway allowed organizations and students who had not worked together in the past to collaborate and make the event a success. "This event is a way to bring so many organizations together that wouldn't normally," said Peter DiSilvio, president of the Student Government Association and charismatic host of Destination Runway.
Although the planning and practices of this year's Destination Runway were lengthy and technical, the theme of the show stemmed from a simple thought. "The inspiration for the theme actually [came] when I was sitting at the beach this summer," said Stephanie Caruso, the secretary of SGA and editor-in-chief of Font. "I immediately called Kayleigh [Tompkins] and told [her] we had to do this."
Tompkins is also a member of SGA who worked hard to make Destination Runway a success. Planned since July, the patriotic benefit was smartly matched with a military theme reminiscent of the 1940s.
In the first segment of the show, 16 student models marched down the runway in clothing generously provided by David's Bridal, House of Style and Victor Talbots. About two weeks before the show, models had to go through one to two hours of practicing a week. "The models worked extremely hard," said DiSilvio.
Their hard work was apparent early on in the show. Models bravely and charmingly paraded down the runway. "The lights were so bright!" said Robin Doublebower, a senior. "You couldn't see the audience, but that is what made it a lot easier to walk." Doublebower designed and constructed the first and last outfits of the show.
The first few outfits included a red, white and blue tapestry of girls in pencil skirts and thigh- high dresses who flipped their hair while boys in navy blazers snapped their suspenders. Together, they set a tone reminiscent of an age of pinup girls and wholesome boys. Later, after a parade of banana curls and high-waisted shorts strutted off the runway, students began to march forward in classic tuxedos and floor length dresses while being simultaneously cheered on by the audience.
As an introduction to the last segment, Jenna Willis performed a rendition of "It Don't Mean a Thing (If You Ain't Got That Swing)," setting an airy and charming tone for the rest of the show. Sporting clothes based on the theme of the modern 1950s, some students sported cargo pants, army green and messenger bags, while others still retained a patriotic feel in red dresses and white shirts complemented by blue belts.
Whether it was a patterned green dress cinched by a brown belt, a long men's pea coat or a short red dress paired with towering pumps, the looks displayed at Destination Runway were neither stuffy nor intimidating. Rather, they remained loyal to the casual look of a college student.
Destination Runway, not aimlessly titled, had a purpose to entertain and also to bring an outfit of students together in order to raise funds for the NMFA. This successful event was a demonstration of unity and camaraderie, two values that were visible in the show itself. The participants and planners who have made Destination Runway a traditional stitch at the University deserve not just a thank you, but also a salute.