BIDDEFORD — Many young women dream of one day wearing designer gowns and walking down the runway at fashion shows in New York, Paris or Rome. While Saco may not be as glamorous as those destinations, the young women enrolled in Linda Verville’s retail marketing class at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology will feel glamorous Thursday as they take to the catwalk in designer clothing before a sold-out audience of 200 at PeoplesChoice Credit Union.
The modeling will be the easy part. Since December, the students have been hard at work on every detail of the fashion show, “A Night to Remember,” which will feature gowns, short dresses and casual wear.
A part of the proceeds will benefit the Southern Maine Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization, which provides clothes and other support for women entering the workforce.
The students, all seniors, have made posters and conducted other types of advertising to promote the show, and are marketing the event on social media like Facebook. They have sold tickets, contacted local businesses to get sponsorships, coordinated others to help with the modeling, picked a theme and music for the event, and done all the other work required to put on a successful fashion show.
Verville, who took the class herself while a student at Biddeford High School in the 1980s, said in her day, the class used to put on a fashion show every year. That had stopped in recent years, but Verville said she found it such a valuable experience that she decided she’d like to have her class, this year and in the future, put on their own event.
Most taking the class said they plan to pursue a career in fashion and/or retail marketing. They said they’re learning a number of lessons from their class and from this particular experience.
Several students, like Leah Hanusek of Thornton Academy, said they like the hands-on approach of the class, and the fashion show is a perfect example.
Christina Bogatses, also from Thornton Academy, said she’s found the experience helpful in a variety of ways. For instance, calling local business owners looking for sponsors “has helped a lot with my communication skills,” she said.
“I’ve learned some (advertising) tricks to catch someone’s eye,” said Renee Trottier from Biddeford High School, adding that she also learned about target marketing.
Tayla Savage of Old Orchard Beach High School said she’s learning about the importance of networking and the “ins and outs” of how to get ahead on her career path to become a makeup and/or fashion stylist.
The experience is also teaching students skills like leadership, teamwork, decision making, problem solving and networking, said Verville.
While the students have done a lot the work on the show, they’ve also had some help.
Lori Irving, owner of Simply You on Main Street in Saco, is providing guidance to the teens.
Irving said she’s been involved with the students even before the fashion show. For instance, she has picked their brains in helping to pick out dresses for her store for prom season.
“I get their input, it just gives a whole different view to my store,” she said.
Last year, Irving took the class on a field trip to Massachusetts to a buying show. She let them spend a set amount of money to pick out accessories for her store.
“They sold out before Christmas,” she said.
Irving said she’s impressed with the work the students have done in preparing for the fashion show, and she’s particularly impressed at their ticket sales. Although she’s participated in many fashion shows, “I’ve never seen one sold out,” said Irving.
Ashley Lauren Kerr is also working with the students. Kerr, an Old Orchard Beach native, designs dresses and separates sold in stores around the world. Her fashion line, SCALA by ASHLEYlauren, which is sold at Simply You, will be featured in the show.
Kerr said her first interaction with the students was speaking to them about the fashion industry. When they spoke about putting on a fashion show, “I encouraged them,” she said, knowing it would be a good learning experience.
“The girls have done a great job,” said Kerr. “They’ve come a long way in a few weeks.”
In addition to learning a lot, the students say they are enjoying working on the fashion show.
Biddeford High School student Karlee Foss, who said she’s both nervous and excited for the show on Thursday, said “trying on outfits has been fun.”
Her classmate Renee Trottier, who also attends BHS, agreed.
“It’s so exciting to try on all the dresses,” she said. “It makes you feel like a princess.”
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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