As parents and students gather in the cafeteria, their conversations are interrupted with the sound of the overhead lights snapping and the light strumming of tunes emitting from live musicians. With the clack of shoes, models begin to strut down a runway stretching from the stage to the back entrance of the cafeteria. Each person is dedicated to a different piece, some with upcycled crochet skirts, others with flowy homemade tops. There’s a sense of awe as guests quietly admire each muse, dressed head to toe in delicate, gorgeous fabrics. This is just a slice of what to expect of the infamous fashion show held by the CVHS Fashion Club every year. 

Fashion Club is a community where people can express themselves as they please, learn new ways to elevate their craft expertise, meet new people, and most of all, dabble in fashion! 

Run by two seniors, president Cassidy Berg and vice president Ella Stahl-Rhodes, their main objective is to allow people to believe in themselves. 

“A lot of what we get asked at club days, and when we’re advertising joining our club, is ‘Oh, I’m not fashionable,’ or ‘I’m not artsy,’ but it’s really not about the art or the fashion,” says Berg. “It’s about expressing yourself and I know that sounds cliche, but it’s not about how well you make your craft and it’s not about even if you finish your craft, but by starting it, you’re telling yourself that you can commit to beginning something.”

While designing may not be everyone’s expertise, Fashion Club is a home for all arts and crafts. During their weekly meetings, activities such as felt name banners or patchwork sewing helped many students connect with one another. These skills can then be applied to more fashion adjacent activities such as hemming and upcycling clothing, creating not only a sustainable hobby, but finding a gateway to express your creativity. 

“I like making my own clothes. I’ve made my own pants a few times, and I’m about to make my own shirt soon,”

Ella Stahl-Rhodes

Nevertheless, if crafts isn’t your forte, the club is an excellent way to make new comrades. Interactive and a tight-knit community in itself, the officers want everyone to leave their meetings feeling accomplished, connected, and most importantly, unwind after a hectic week. The club’s secretary, Khadeeja Kamal, joined in her freshman year to support her sister. After a while, she fell in love with the space Fashion Club had grown into. Now as a junior, she feels a sense of warmth when welcoming new faces. 

“I just want people to use this as an outlet for them to take a break from school and be creative instead. I feel like one of the most important parts about having a club is just to have a place where people can connect and have a common interest. I mainly just want people to take away new skills learned, as well as just having fun, meeting new people, and making new friends with the same interests.”

Khadeeja Kamal

Fashion Club successfully harbors a comforting and social atmosphere where anyone is able to express themselves through crafts, learn valuable design skills, and consider joining a welcoming community. Be sure to check them out Wednesdays in room 407A; they are a club you do not want to miss on campus!