Orleans County 4-Hers were able to walk down the runway in person at this year’s Fashion Revue program held in the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds on April 24. Last year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, but this year, youth were able to showcase their textile and sewing skills by modeling projects they made themselves. The Revue this year included 21 participants.
“Fashion Revue is an opportunity for youth learning and growing in citizenship to gain leadership and life skills,” says Kristina Gabalski, 4-H Program Coordinator. “The event inspires appreciation of clothing, textiles, consumer science, and personal development.”
This year’s event was held with COVID safety measures in place, Gabalski says. During the morning, participants had projects reviewed by evaluators who provided guidance and feedback. “We typically include some educational and fun workshops, but this year decided to focus on scheduled evaluations for safety reasons,” she says.
Youth plan, select, and construct clothing or accessories and then model their creations during the evening fashion show portion of the event. “Participants learn design elements in clothing, sewing techniques as well as how to care for fabric,” Gabalski explains. “Fashion Revue encourages personal expression and confidence in personal experience. Youth also write their own commentary which is read as they walk the runway.”
In her commentary, seven-year-old Lily Botsford of Lyndonville, a member of the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club, noted that this was her first time using a sewing machine. “The hardest part of making the dress was trying it on while it was still pinned together. The most fun part of the process was finding rainbow thread from her grandmother’s collection to use in sewing the dress.”
Seven Orleans County 4-Hers will move on to the Western District Fashion Revue being hosted this year by Orleans County on June 5. Lillian Mathes, Shania Mathes, Adele Mathes, Allison Mathes, Sarah Mathes, Ariel Vinca, and Makenzie McGrath all qualified to move on to the district level.
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