Some may expect sororities to be in constant competition with each other for publicity and pledges. However, this is not always the case. This past weekend’s first Greek-wide fashion show, “Fashion for Justice,” was a testament to that fact. This fashion show featured six Greek organizations and raised over $1000 for charity.
Jefferson Ellison, a freshman in fashion and textile management, was one student who initially had some doubts about the fashion show. However, as the last model walked across the improvised runway at Fox Hall, Ellison could only be amazed.
“Many people may not have thought that people could work together like this because they are fighting for the same pledges, but I think the fact that they came together speaks volumes on how important the cause is,” Ellison said.
The National Asia Pacific American Women’s Forum was the charity that the different Greek organizations supported that night. NAPAWF confronts issues facing women from an Asian and Pacific Islander background. These issues include civil rights, economic justice, violence, education, health supporting refugees and human trafficking. It is the charity that Females Achieving Excellence, one of the newest N.C. State organizations, is partnered with.
In many aspects, FAE sparked the movement that culminated in the Greek-wide fashion event. However, it is an event that has long been in the mind of Diana Do, a junior in fashion and textile management and one of the organizers of the event.
“I’ve always wanted to throw a fashion show. Two semesters ago, I found out about Females Achieve Excellence and I heard that Janet [Nguyen, a senior in international studies] and Mischa [Tobar, a sophomore in political science] were the ones coordinating it. I joined and wanted to be an [executive officer] right away so I did an interview with them and I remember the first thing I said was that I wanted to throw a fashion show,” Do said. “I assume that’s what got me the position, but I’m not sure.”
While this may not have been the only reason why Do was eventually selected to be in charge of the fundraising for FAE, according to Nguyen, it was definitely a factor.
“I thought her fashion show idea was amazing. It was an ambitious project that she was truly passionate about. As a nonprofit studies minor, I thought that hosting a philanthropic fashion show would not only be beneficial to our cause but also help us maintain a good public image,” Nguyen said.
In fact, for a new organization like FAE, Fashion for Justice was also an opportune time to make their mark on the campus. This was another aspect of the fashion show that was important in Do’s mind.
“My vision was always about involving all of Greek life. I thought it was important because we are an Asian interest sorority group so I wanted everyone to get to know who we are and what we’re all about,” Do said. “I wanted to make a stand. I wanted to involve ourselves not only in the Asian community but with everyone, so that’s one reason why inviting [other Greek organizations] was so important.”
According to Alexis Taylor, a freshman in biological sciences, member of Delta Gamma and model for Fashion for Justice, the fact that there were multiple sororities and fraternities involved also meant the event was a lot more fun.
“It was really really fun. No [aspect] of it was boring… and Janet and all the girls were really welcoming and just so nice… they’re really great girls,” Taylor said. “I’m also really glad that it all went to a great cause.”
Do agrees.
“It was hectic but it was a lot of fun…” Do said. “It was a great bonding moment. They’re all so nice and the show couldn’t have happened without them.”
