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 Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art turned into a fashion house April 30, as more than 200 people gathered around a runway to see outfits "restyled" by area design students.
A competition benefiting the nonprofit organization Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports, Restyle Runway fashion show, with the theme "Reduce, Reuse and Restyle," challenged 13 design students to create four to six complete ensembles using clothing and accessories donated to local Goodwill Industries stores.
Designers put together their collections with the purpose of showing how reused and restyled clothing can be hip, fashionable and economical.
Some pieces designers constructed from other materials found at Goodwill, such as house wares and table accessories. The average cost of each ensemble was $20.
Loren Halifax from Fox 4 News served as master of ceremonies for the show, which included professional and amateur models, some with developmental disabilities, and celebrity models Holly Starr from 38 The Spot, Jenny Matthews of Mix 93.3 and Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm.
Judges Jennifer Hermon, Kansas City's Haute Market founder, and Caleb Nathaniel Fangman, designer of nathanielREN3WAL, presented two guest collections at the end of the show. The third judge, Rebecca Taylor, filled in for Laura McGrew, Tomboy Design Studio owner and designer, who was unable to attend the event.
Video vignettes of each designer, shown before their ensembles hit the runway, gave the audience an opportunity to learn about the students' clothing inspirations and career aspirations.
Collection styles ranged from bohemian casual to Hollywood glamour and highlighted iconic fashion decades from the 1930s to the 1980s.
The looks encompassed florals, patterns, bright colors and classic black, from suiting to casual wear to cocktail dresses.
Participating designers were: Sophia Cox, Johnson County Community College; Lisa Demaree; Maureen Dempsey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Shivani Desai; Rachael Gabriel, JCCC; Colleen Kirk, JCCC; Jihaeng Lee, JCCC; Whitney Manney, Kansas City Art Institute; Natasha Noorani, JCCC; Katelyn O'Brien, NU; Maile Peter; Rachel Rolon, KCAI; and Sovanna Yos, KCAI.
 Winning designers received scholarship prizes. First place went to Lee, who received $1,000.
"I'm so happy. I didn't expect it," she said. "I was so excited to do this fashion show and to have to do the restyling. I love to go to the thrift store. I enjoyed the process.
"... I am just learning how to sew. I changed my major last semester. I've always loved fashion."
Lee's collection of dresses, called "Dark Yet Lovely," featured ruffles, bows, polka dots, and florals in shades of blue, gray and black.
Hermon said Lee's collection wowed the judges because it stood out.
"From the moment I saw it come out on the runway, I loved it," Hermon said. "I thought it was appropriate and cohesive. It was evident she has ... a unique perspective. I'm really excited to see what she will do in the future."
Second place went to Demaree, who won $750, and Yos took third place, receiving $500. Desai earned an honorable mention nod and $250.
Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports promotes charitable giving to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities in the community. JCDS facilitates career, residential services and personal development for these residents.
"Restyle Runway put creativity on display, providing a wonderful showcase for local talent while educating the community about the Friends of JCDS' compassionate mission," Janet Hoffman, Friends of JCDS executive director, said."The Helping Hand of Goodwill Industries, and indeed the entire community, reached out to embrace this unique event. We are so very grateful for their support, and hope to be back again next year with an even more impressive show."
FAST FACTS
Outfits from Restyle Runway will be available for purchase through an online auction. Bid for favorite ensembles by visiting www.shopgoodwill.com and searching “MO-Kansas City” in the seller category. All proceeds will go to Friends of JCDS.
A video of the fashion show, produced by Dynamic Reflections Videographty, will be posted at www.friendsofjcds.org.
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