By Courtney Walsh, Assistant News Editor
In honor of Hofstra University’s 75th Anniversary, Hofstra’s fourth annual Destination Funway featured 75 years of fashion. Hofstra’s Destination Runway is an event founded by Hofstra 2009 alumni Peter Disilvio in 2006. The fashion show is sponsored by the Student Government Association and Dean of Students, who select a different charity each year to donate the event’s proceeds to. This year the SGA selected Save The Children.
“Since this year the topic was broad, we wanted a theme that was equally as broad,” said Dan Lebo, one of the show’s coordinators.
Founded in 1932, Save The Children has reached out to over 50 countries. This year over 320 students and faculty attended Hofstra’s Destination Runway, raising over $2,000 for Save The Children.
In previous years, the runway was an elaborate stage, complete with props. This year, however, the SGA opted for a more classic catwalk.
“This year, we’re mainly going for a more professional fashion show in comparison to a student fashion show,” said SGA Spirit Chairwoman Victoria Vullo.
The runway itself was lowered, and the stage devoid of props was meant to “focus” the audience on the clothes and the models.
In order to accurately portray all 75 years of couture, SGA partnered up with Linda Varady and Perennial Clothing Inc., an East Islip vintage clothing boutique.
“Perennial was the best option we could have chose, Linda knew everything and had done shows before. She would just look at a model and know what would work for them,” said coordinator Liz Weeden.
Varady worked closely with the Destination Runway executive board, hand selecting every outfit that was walked during the event. At first some models were hesitant about the unique assortment of ensembles.
“It was hard because vintage clothing isn’t the same thing you wear for Halloween, some models were tentative about outfits Linda chose for them, but Linda had a way of exciting the models. It was her passion backstage that really brought it to the runway,” said Weeden.
Planning for the event began in the spring of 2010 when the SGA elected Lebo, Weeden, Cait Scungio, Luke Miedreich and Samantha Erikson as the Destination Runway executive board. The plans continued throughout summer and into the fall with model auditions. Out of the 100 or so applicants, 50 models were selected based on their walk, personal style and overall personality. Ticket prices this year were cheaper than prior shows and could be purchased in advance for $5 or $7 at the door.
“I’m really happy with what we’ve accomplished and what I’ve accomplished,” said Dan Lebo, a senior who has been on E-board for all four of Hofstra’s Destination Runway shows.
“It’s a big time commitment, there’s always the running around the week before and the day of, but it’s always a big pay off,” said Lebo.
(Michaela Papa/The Chronicle)
