Laced in the West
When thinking about the Wild West, we often think of cracked leather, dust in the air, and the infamous tumbleweed rolling across the frame. However, that is not all the West has to offer. The American West was tumultuous, full of passersby and settlers who often had tense pasts and vast cultural differences.
UGA’s Student Merchandising Association highlights the beauty of difference and the complexity of strife throughout their show, from the clothing designs to the models' choreography. Models walked in opposing directions, only to meet in the middle, beautifully portraying these varying experiences and walks of life that came together as the Wild West. The Wild West is neither quantifiable nor easily defined; it is a conglomerate of beauty, from the cultures of the Anglo-Saxon settlers to the native communities, as well as the influence of Central and South American traditions.
The show began with a cocktail hour at the entrance of a rodeo arena. Guests enjoyed a complimentary Celsius drink and popcorn, while encouraged to browse the vendor booths, three small boutiques and the show’s corporate sponsor, Buckle. SMA Merch was available for purchase along with a raffle prize that each ticket buyer was entered into.
All attendants arrived very fashionable and reflected the theme well. The key themes were successfully met: lace, boots, fringe, denim, and ruffles. The arena was thoughtfully decorated for the show, though the rainy weather of the day left the ground slightly muddy. The music, courtesy of the DJ hired, includes Wild West to classic country hits like Johnny Cash to Kenny Chesney.
The show officially kicked off with a welcome from SMA’s President and Vice President, who thanked sponsors and introduced the night’s theme. The walks had two entrances, one was a door opening from an enclosed area, the other from the opposite open area. Dual model walks continued throughout the show until its last walk. The pacing was quick, but efficient. While the outfits varied, they remained cohesive to the theme. Model’s walks and use of props were cohesive as well. Including objects like fake guns for a duel, a swinging lasso, and more.
For the end of the show, all models walked together for a finale. As they walked their final lap, they received a standing ovation upon their exit. Afterward, SMA’s President and Vice President returned to the microphone and announced the retiring sponsors and graduating seniors, giving them each a flower. They proceed to thank all the sponsors, models, stylists, and SMA members who worked for the show. Then ended the night by revealing the raffle ticket winner.
Overall, the show’s theme was powerfully shown through the stylists’ designs and performance by the models. The location and decoration was well thought out and put together. With a record attendance of over 350 people, this event proved to be an immense success. It was quite entertaining to attend and worth the small ticket price by a mile.
Graphic by Evie Krakovski