Fashion show benefits St. Jude

Models weaved between the rows of chairs and streamed onto the runways as music pulsed through the room.

Each model wore jeans and a white T-shirt, but they each added their own personal scarves, jewelry, bags or sunglasses to make the outfit unique.

Epiphany Modeling Troupe presented a fashion show on Wednesday in the Willkie Auditorium. The theme was “Fashion Fierce: What’s your addiction?”

“We wanted to play with alter egos,” said the troupe’s president, junior LaTroy Hampton.

He said the nine-member executive board was inspired by celebrities who have alter egos, such as Beyonce. He added that college students have different personalities, including being mainstream or being an outsider.

“Even though it’s fashion, it’s about giving back,” said senior Brianna Burnett, the troupe’s recording secretary.

Part of the proceeds from ticket sales and a donation jar will be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee.

“St. Jude is really beneficial,” Hampton said. “It’s nonprofit, and the kids need it.”

In addition to donating to the hospital, Hampton said he hopes to use part of the money to start a scholarship fund. He said he wants to award the scholarship to a member of the troupe that has visibly increased their confidence after joining.

The scholarship will be in honor of the troupe’s two founding members, Hampton and IU graduate Ebony Brown, and the scholarship will be a confidence-booster to the person it is awarded to.

“The whole goal is to make you feel confident,” Hampton said.

The members of the troupe modeled clothes from stores such as Deb, The Limited, Buckle and Vanity. Also, several students, including Hampton, designed clothing for the show. Each runway walk had a different theme such as outsiders, mainstream and swimwear.

Burnett said she helped the models prepare backstage, and with only a few small mirrors, they had to depend on each other to make sure the outfits looked flawless. As the 43 models filled the stage, the audience cheered for its favorites and recorded the show.

The troupe practiced for the show every Wednesday in high heels and dress shoes.

Hampton, who works at Chili’s Grill & Bar in Bloomington, is working with the restaurant to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He said it’s more than a way to show off the latest fashions.

“The main goal is to give back,” Hampton said. “It’s not a profit-driven show.”