By Wendy Humphrey
Just call it the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) version of Project Runway. For the very first time, MCCC’s Fashion/Apparel Design program hosted “Trenton Makes,” a runway show May 4 that provided four budding designers an opportunity to display their imaginative fashions in front of an admiring crowd at the college’s Trenton campus.
In her opening remarks, Fashion Program Coordinator Allegra Ceci, modeling a purple jacket designed by student Pina Succi, said, “This is a first for Mercer. I am so proud of these students. They dreamed these clothes, these fabrics and these looks.”
Prior to the start, special guest Lori Ann Diaz, a regional manager for Gap Inc., presented the Gap Inc.’s Skills for America’s Future scholarships to five students to continue their fashion studies: Melissa Chell, Christina Guillaume, Alysha Mooring, Pina Succi (not present) and Ambreen Zaidi.
And then it was show time. Set to the rhythmic beats provided by DJs Ralph Colon and Justin Solan, the models took to the runway. Three designers, Ryan Ramoo of West Windsor, Shannon Rayniece of Trenton, and Tashanique Purnell of Trenton, delighted the audience with their bold use of color, fabrics and varied designs ranging from the frivolous and fun to professional outfits and evening wear. Pina Succi, of Plainsboro, was unable to participate in the show, but displayed her fashions on mannequins.
MCCC alumni Tammy Duffy and Ray Brown, both of whom are professional fashion designers, were seated at the end of the runway, along with Diaz. The three offered critiques to the students after their lines were shown.
Fourteen models participated, ranging in age from a five-year-old boy modeling a hoodie, to teens, college students and moms. The designers also created outfits for five Mercer staff members including Bursar Lucia Brown-Joseph, Allegra Ceci, President Patricia C. Donohue, Board member Pam Hersh and Trenton Campus Provost Monica Weaver. Fashion student Diane Nelson did the staff members’ make-up.
Ramoo, a first-year fashion student from West Windsor, presented three designs. In critiquing Ramoo’s work, Duffy said, “I love the colors and the mix of designs. The looks are pretty.” Duffy, owner of Duffy Design Studios, wore one of her own designs to the show, accessorized by a vintage hat.
Brown added that Ramoo is creating fashions for real people “You definitely have an eye for what you are doing. Keep going.”
Ramoo is planning to continue his studies at Mercer next year and then transfer to a four-year fashion school with a goal of combining his design work with fashion marketing.
Rayniece created seven designs for the show. Using reds and blacks with particular flair, the designer accessorized her evening wear by turning broken pieces of CDs into glittering jewels.
Duffy complimented the appeal of Rayniece’s designs. “They have a sophisticated edge, but the clothing still looks comfortable,” she said.
Diaz noted of the black leatherette dress sporting CD pieces, “I feel like I could see that dress in Banana Republic” (a Gap-owned store).
Trenton resident Tashanique Purnell was up next with eight designs. Bursting with vibrancy, color and strokes of pure fashion fun, Purnell’s sensibility ranged from play clothes all the way to formal wear.
Ray Brown was clearly enthused with her creativity. “You put it together and you pulled it off. Your choice of fabric and colors is highly interesting. I can tell you played with it and had fun.”
At the show’s conclusion, President Donohue took the microphone to congratulate one and all. “Today we saw a different side of learning and student success at Mercer. This is a memorable day for our Fashion Design program,” she said.
All three students say this is just the beginning of their studies and their careers. Rayniece, who will complete her studies in December, is planning to transfer to continue her fashion studies. She has set her sights on Moore College of Art in Philadelphia.
In her role as judge, Duffy notes that she thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “The students. They did a great job and demonstrated outstanding creativity and enthusiasm in the development of their collections.” Duffy is planning to return to the campus to critique each designer’s work one-on-one.
Mercer’s Fashion Design program offers A.A.S. degree options: Fashion/Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising. The programs prepare students for entry-level jobs and for transfer to four-year fashion design and merchandising schools. For more information, visit www.mccc.edu.
