The annual Color Me Kentucky fashion show gives University of Kentucky students a unique opportunity to show the Lexington community all they are capable of.
They display not only the style of Kentucky, but the style of UK students.
Held at the Manchester Reserve on April 17, the runway show featured three categories of looks: Gameday, Keeneland and Formal, which was preceded by a cocktail hour and a silent auction.
Bennett LeMonds, a junior double majoring in merchandising apparel and textiles and marketing, is the student director of the Color Me Kentucky show. LeMonds said she felt a desire to get more involved with the fashion show after initially being a student in the fashion production course.
She said the show was a way to prove that fashion students don’t only learn about popular textures and beloved silhouettes, but marketing strategies and event coordination.
“I feel like a lot of the time it’s misinterpreted as just ‘They’re fashion students, they don’t really learn about anything valuable,’” LeMonds said.
LeMonds’ main goal for the fashion show was to display the talents of fashion students.
She said she learned a lot about herself in her leadership role, but even more about working with a team. As a generally independent individual, teamwork did not come easily for LeMonds. However, throughout her role as the student director, she has seen how useful a team of dedicated, hardworking minds can be.
“I’ve learned a lot about working with a team,” LeMonds said, “You can reach a lot more goals when you’re working with a team.”
Beyond teamwork, LeMonds learned the joy of a fashion show perfectly executed.
“I love planning, I love coordination, I love the rewarding feeling that you get whenever it all comes together,” LeMonds said.
LeMonds’ hopes and efforts for the fashion show do not go unnoticed. Tamara Schneider, the master of ceremonies and co-host of Live from Chevy Chase on Fox 56, said she was impressed by the students’ hard work.
“I just think it’s really special to see them work so hard and deliver such a great fashion show,” Schneider said.
Lee Jordan, master of ceremonies and co-host of Live from Chevy Chase on Fox 56, said she sees beyond the beautiful gowns and suits – she sees the unique value this fashion show has for female students at UK.
“Offerings like this weren’t around when we were younger, so to see people doing what they absolutely love to do in a more creative and artistic fashion is awesome for women,” Jordan said.
Jordan believes she and her co-host would have immensely enjoyed a program such as the Color Me Kentucky fashion show to explore their own creativity while in college.
“It gives young adults an opportunity to explore something rather than business or medical,” Jordan said. “Because let’s face it, we all have something different that drives us.”
