Epiphany modeling troupe mixes fashion, dance

Epiphany Modeling Troupe took the runway Friday night and made fashion about more than just the clothes.

“It’s not at all like a normal fashion show,” freshman model Chelsea Benberry said. “It’s dance and fashion combined.”

Benberry said Epiphany doesn’t just focus on the clothes; it’s also about having fun and entertaining the audience.

Epiphany’s show, titled “...And Then There was Fashion,” took place Friday in the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center’s Grand Hall.

Linzi Robinson, EMT president, said this night is why she loves the troupe and that it is phenomenal what the models do. She said they put on a show every semester and donate the proceeds to charity.

Friday’s donations went to Tons of Toys, a fund that buys toys for underprivileged children for Christmas.

Freshman and EMT hairstylist Quaneice James said everyone works hard to put on the show. People had been working since noon Friday to get ready for the 7 p.m. show.

The show was split into six scenes that showcased different styles of clothes. EMT also had intermission performances by Day Dancers and Fo’Reign.

Sophomore Raven Kraft said she didn’t know what EMT was but came because she wanted to find out.

“It was different, but very good,” she said.

Junior Kelsey Campbell said she attended because one of her water polo teammates was in the show. She said she was very impressed and liked how the show was put together.

Freshman model India Robinson said one has to have the right mindset in order to be part of the show.

“You have to be able to work with the punches thrown at you and always be confident,” she said.

Robinson said she is part of the troupe because it allows her to express herself, but that it is a lot of hard work. She said the troupe has weekly practices to learn all of the choreography.

EMT was also sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.

Senior Nicole Vargas, an HP intern, said she has watched all the hard work the models have been doing to get ready for the show.

She said not only have they been having their regular practices, but they have been doing a lot of promotion as well.

“They have been putting on flash mobs at the IMU and the Wells Library,” Vargas said. “Flash mobs are a fun and crazy marketing technique where the models, as a group, strike poses and hand out fliers.”