Models groove for fashion, fundraising

Fashion shows normally bring to mind visions of skinny models, unaffordable clothes, runways and Paris. The Black Student League's Groove Theory was definitely not that kind of show. Last night, as part of Unity Week 2000, BSL held its annual fundraiser before about 400 students and community members in Zellerbach Theatre. After more than five months of work by the show's style coordinator, producers, choreographers and 21 models, the event went off seamlessly. Instead of the typical fashion show format, Groove Theory displayed clothes through a series of choreographed dance scenes set to hip-hop, R&B; and dance music. The theme of the show was relationships -- both serious and comical. Groove Theory combined dances with titles like, "First Glimpse," "Oh Drama" and "I Do," with an ongoing skit involving a nervous college student and his female interest. Host Stephanie Rene, a 1991 College graduate and founder of Creator's Child Production, contributed her own poetry, commentary and singing to the event. The show was perhaps more about entertaining and raising money for a good cause than serious fashion. Proceeds from the show went to Ase Saturday Academy, an independent African-centered school that serves sixth- and seventh-graders from the Philadelphia area by reinforcing African values and traditions. Both the clothes and the choreography elicited positive responses from the audience. The dance scene entitled "Girls Night In," which featured both male and female models in nightwear by Victoria's Secret and Lord and Taylor, prompted both laughter and applause. "I believe the lingerie scene was the highlight of the show," College sophomore Shauna Pinkett said. The event held true to its mission statement: to benefit worthwhile community causes and showcase talented designers. According to Black Student League Chairwoman and Wharton senior Erika Coleman, who was the show's co-producer, BSL chose Ase Saturday Academy for its worthiness as a cause and its relation to the University. Several Penn students help with the organization. College senior Erika Parkins, the show's style coordinator, said that, excluding one store that withdrew at the last minute, most of the designers were very helpful, particularly Angela Edmunds -- a local designer who runs Sarai Fashions on Kater Street. The show also featured designs by Guess?, James Nelson Designs, Cassandra Bromfield and Formal Dimensions. Ma Jolie and Douglas cosmetics gave away a $30 gift certificate and a gift basket, respectively. Many students came to see their friends out of the usual sweatshirt-and-jeans classroom attire. "It's nice to see my friends in nice clothes for once," College sophomore Simone Lauderdale said.

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