Innovative Fashion Designs Modeled at Secretaries' Luncheon

Enjoying the SWBOCES-sponsored District Superintendent Office Personnel fashion show and luncheon were, from left: Teresa Scaturro of Nassau BOCES; Cheryl Blount of Monroe #2 BOCES; Jo Ann Winsor of DCMO BOCES; and Mindy D'Oro of Monroe #1 BOCES.

A captive audience of secretaries and assistants attending the District Superintendent Office Professionals luncheon on May 14 were treated to a fashion show featuring 21 students from the SWBOCES Fashion Design and Merchandising Program.

The luncheon, organized by SWBOCES secretaries Carol Acerbo and Juanita Brockett, honored the workers who support individual BOCES District Superintendents in New York State. Each year, a different BOCES coordinates the event.

Also during the two-hour luncheon, Alternative High School Supervisor Eileen Bloom awarded a $500 scholarship to Randi Fusco, a student in the Alternative Education Program. The scholarship, which came from the District Superintendent Office Professionals group, is awarded to a student who is planning to attend college and has displayed good character.

The fashion show, coordinated by Fashion Design and Marketing teacher Gina Bratter, was an opportunity for students to reveal the clothing they've been working on since September. Approximately 50 outfits were modeled, and included a range of styles from evening gowns to tailored suits to casual attire.

In addition, students in the SWBOCES Culinary Arts Program prepared the three-course luncheon, which included antipasto, shrimp and Italian sausage brochettes with red pepper and fennel on a bed of sautéed green cabbage, tiramisu, and assorted cookies and confections. Students in the Horticulture Program made the floral displays, with help from instructors Cory Magarelli and JoAnne Vigiletti. Students in Damian Powers' Multimedia class designed and created the luncheon program.

Ms. Bratter said the student-models chose the materials and designs for their outfits, although they were required to stay within guidelines of the course curriculum. Both first- and second-year students participated in the fashion show, wearing garments made of silk, chiffon, cotton, linen, micro fibers and spandex. More advanced students had the opportunity to model jewelry and more intricate clothing that required advanced stitching techniques, including a wedding dress modeled by one student.

"The students really did a really fabulous job," said Ms. Bratter. "I was very happy with the results."

Students in the program study the design and construction of apparel, fabric design techniques, jewelry/accessory design, fashion illustration, and create a portfolio for admission to a post-secondary institution. Students in the fashion, culinary, multimedia, horticulture and multimedia programs attend classes at the SWBOCES Center for Career Services, located in Valhalla.

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