Ramses Hardman’s winsome smile and the colorful paper bows on his “prom dress” won the hearts of judges in the first-ever LAVA Cardboard Fashion Show.
Hardman’s style and outfit were judged first among seven eighth graders in a whimsical fashion show organized by “pulp” magazine outreach editor Brittanie Terensky as part of the annual Literary and Visual Arts (LAVA) Festival. It was staged late in the school day on Thursday, May 17, in the Lincoln Park atrium.
Alternately swinging his hips and making muscles, Hardman’s cross-dressing confusion translated into charisma for the judges. His outfit was designed by fellow students Joelle Gossard and Morgan Pennington.
Runner-up –and waiting in the wings should Hardman be unable to fulfill the responsibilities that go with his crown, of which none are designated, desired or contemplated – was Chase McCance, striding uncertainly but only somewhat madly in an elaborate Mad Hatter paper outfit, carrying a cardboard teacup and wearing a stovepipe hat five sizes too large. Megan Davis helped McCance reach down the rabbit hole to pull out this Wonderland-themed costume.
Pretty as a rose and smiling as demurely as a bride, Rose Withrow captured third place carrying a tissue paper bridal bouquet and wearing a “cardboard-inspired wedding dress.” She, CiArra Robinson and Dominic Pasquarelli sewed (glued?) together the archetypal feminine matrimonial attire.
Wearing a cardboard barrel and not much else, Josh Babconec elicited smiles from the assembled students lining the cardboard runway. His “hobo chic” outfit, either a peon to Grapes of Wrath poverty or mute commentary on current hard economic times, was designed by a three-member team including himself, Andrew Weisner and Caleb Kennedy. Too impolitic for a revue of faux haute couture? The judges declined to go recession slumming.
Hannah Phillips paced and posed in a breezy construction paper summer dress designed to turn heads and capture hearts. The judges smiled, held onto their hearts and turned their heads to the next model. Zack Goodall and Jorden McKenna worked with Hannah to create the classic if highly inflammable shift dress.
Though the judges were not, the Force was with Kyle Peffer as he performed athletic Star Wars martial arts moves down the runway in Jedi “fantasy armor” warrior garb that while visually impressive, was unlikely to slow down a slashing light saber. Brandon Marchionda and Peffer collaborated on the spacey fashion statement.
His outfit’s theme – “dress” – was an enigma at best and fashion anarchy at worst, but Dakotah Brimmeier strove to be more than what he wore, working the crowd and signing “I love you” to the judges at that crucial runway turn. Clad in a simple vest of black construction paper coordinated with an orange long-sleeved shirt and matching headband, Brimmeier rustled as he stepped out in a shaggy multicolored … um . . .kilt . . possibly channeling somebody’s repressed memories of a Halloween party long, long ago at Little Charlie Manson’s house. Emily Matzie and Gianna Catanzarite associated their names with this creation.
Through announcer Dr. Lawrence Butterini, show judges Rebecca Manning, Daniel Leroy, Cassie Patton and Laura Humbert pronounced themselves nearly totally deadlocked over seven such stellar fashion entries. They called for a second run-through, caucused briefly, then announced third, second and first place winners.
(Penned by Fred Miller with tongue firmly in cheek but with sincere admiration for the seven brave fashionistas.)
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