6 = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TRENDS
THURSDAY,APRIL3,2003
Fashion flaunted at inaugural show
By Ron Knox
jayplay@kansan.com
Special to Jayplay
In the musty, cluttered basement of La Tasca, the models for the inaugural Flush fashion show scampered in their underwear, nearly tripping over one another. They pointed and yelled for someone to get them something - from clothes, to hair products, to a cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
It was not for lack of organization. The show had been in the works for months, and the models had rehearsed virtually every night the previous three weeks. But it was simply a night of firsts for both the makeshift models and for Flush, 17 E. Seventh St., a young fashion boutique embarking on its first full-scale fashion show.
"I'm nervous as hell," said Derek Hogan, owner of Flush and show organizer. "I'll be fine in an hour and a half, but right now I can't sit still."
Hogan said it was a big moment for them.
"The shows are hopefully going to become seasonal events," he said, "if this one goes off as well as I think it can."
During the first act, the stage was arranged like the inside of a restroom, complete with stall, toilet and a sink that sat on a clothing rack for support. The models came out in pairs and trios, with each group entering the stall and, after some apparent close contact, leaving disheveled.
Upstairs on the small stage, three men assembled the props for the extensive four-part show. Outside, patrons waited to enter, having paid $12 for advance tickets for food, drinks and post-show festivities. Part of the proceeds went to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Douglas County.
The models' performances ranged from the mundane to outright outrageous. The last couple featured Kyle Batten, Lawrence resident, wearing an athletic supporter and hip-waders, walking a girl out on a leash like a dog. After their in-stall antics, she rode him like a horse down the runway.
The audience, a cross-section of Lawrence hip elite, was made up in part of employees from other local clothing stores. In front of the stage, four Arizona
Trading Company employees sat, leaning
Brandon Baker/Kansan
Leila Kim, Wichita senior, struts down the runway during the first Flush fashion show. Flush sponsored a fashion show with amateur models at La Tasca last week and gave part of the proceeds to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Douglas County.
back against their chairs, arms crossed over their chests.
In the next act, the models came out in pairs and, in essence, stripped for the audience.
In a mock shopping spree, the couples changed out of their purportedly unfashionable clothes into T-shirts emblazoned with Flush's custom-made designs, which were, in turn, modeled on the runway.
Lawrence resident Steve Cruz was one of the announcers for the final acts, reading from blue note cards as the models walked the runway.
"These two are ready for anything," Cruz said. Two male models strolled down the runway, one wearing red shorts and a hooded sweatshirt, the other in straight dark denim jeans.
"It's a fun way to show people the variety of clothes we sell," Hogan said.
Leila Kim, Wichita senior, walked out next in a woolly tan shirt and skirt, and a rimmed military-style hat.
"Leila's outfit says 'Stop the fighting, boys. Let's start dancing,'" Cruz said as Kim turned on the runway. "War or not, you still need to look good. We salute you, Leila!"
Kim saluted the announcers, and the announcers saluted back.
Edited by Aude Mantey 11012419