Designer labels don’t have to be synonymous with empty bank accounts — just like how hearing “I’m going out on Thursday night” doesn’t typically bring the term “fashion show” to mind.
On Thursday, the MU Rent the Runway campus team is having its first ever Fall Fashion Show and After-Party at Tonic Night Club, in partnership with Erodr.
Rent the Runway is a national organization that allows women to channel their inner red carpet fashion enthusiast by going online and choosing from hundreds of designer dresses to rent for any special occasion. MU’s chapter is three years old and has put on many events in the past but never anything of this magnitude.
“One of our main goals is to give girls in this area a reason to rent,” co-event coordinator Fabriana Watts says. “Why not look amazing, feel amazing and have that Cinderella moment that Rent the Runway is all about without having to worry about cleaning (the dress), or destroying it, or having it sit in your closet for three years?”
Watts said RTR has had difficulty appealing to the college age group in this area since students tend not to look to Golden Globe outfits for inspiration when dressing for class. The organization hopes that the show will open students’ eyes to what RTR has to offer and encourage them to try the service.
“It’s kind of a different event than just going out on a Thursday night,” co-campus manager Alicia Wagner says. “It’s more upscale, bringing something new to the regular Mizzou social scene. The After-Party is really just going to be a celebration…. People can ask about dresses and just have a good time.”
Senior Cathy Ann Baker is one of the models for the show, and as a first timer, she’s excited but a little nervous to hit the “runway” (which includes some obstacles, such as stairs and a great deal of table-dodging).
“It’s not every day that you get to wear a designer dress, so that’s why I really wanted to do it,” Baker says. “I have to walk down stairs, in heels, no railing … but it’ll be fun.”
The event is projected to draw a crowd of 300 plus, and seniors Wagner and Watts are excited to share the celebrity style of their dress selection with real girls.
“Rent the Runway isn’t just about giving dresses to models,” Wagner says. “It’s for any girl because every girl deserves to wear a designer dress and to feel amazing and to feel confident. The models that we selected aren’t all your average six-foot-tall, size zero models. These dresses look amazing on real girls.”