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Writer's pictureThe Harbus News Staff
Nov 14, 20154 min read

850 people come together to raise $15k for charity with annual RLGC fashion show

Give for the CharityEach year the show raises over $7,000, and this year far exceeded each one before it.  With 100% of ticket proceeds going to Cradles to Crayons, a Boston-based charity that provides clothing, books, school supplies and other necessities to more than 305,000 homeless and low-income children, the RLGC club raised $15,000! Supplementing the $15,000 total was an RLGC fashion show first – a silent auction made up of donated items from sponsors, as well as a warm clothing drive that provided hundreds of hats, gloves and sweaters to local kids. The forces behind such a well-dressed giving machine are the RLGC’s Fashion Show Chairs, Christy Liu and Justine Liu.  “It’s kind of crazy that a small team of seven put on an event for over 850 people, managed 50+ models from two business schools (MIT Sloan and HBS), locked down almost 20 designers and got over 30 sponsors!” Christy said while reflecting on show, “We are so proud of the team – they helped make it all come to life.”  And come to life IT DID.  Check out all the juicy details from backstage, the runway, and the after party below.

Come for the FashionThis year’s catwalk stretched across the lavish ballroom underneath massive sparkling chandeliers. The opulent space afforded an elegant and calm atmosphere complimented by a fast-moving undercurrent of excited energy.  Pre-show, I was hanging out in one of the balconies overlooking the runway, watching models get finishing touches on their make-up.  One of the visibly exhausted make-up artists confided in another, “That was INSANE,” adding that they had been there since 5:30PM transforming over 50 business students into superstar supermodels.  I looked over at the last model to get her lashes on and she nervously proclaimed “I need a shot!”  I’m not sure if she ever got it.  But I am sure that fifty students and probably 1,000 butterflies were ready to walk! I left the models and took my seat.  After a malfunctioning mic system mishap (the only major snag in the night, said the organizers), Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” started up and the lights dimmed.  The show featured established and up-and-coming designers with looks ranging from evening wear, menswear, active wear, and bridal.  Designers included BCBG, Blank Label, Crush Boutique, David Meister, Dee Hutton, Joanna August, Levi’s, Ministry of Supply (launched out of MIT in 2012), Outdoor Voices, Rent the Runway (HBS alums), and our very own HBS emerging designers of Topology. It’s one thing to strut down the catwalk and show off your inner Tyra (a reporter from a large fashion publication next to me exclaimed, “She looks LEGIT” when watching one of the female models walk), but what is it like watching the blood, sweat and tears of your start-up strut down the runway?  “Exhilarating and terrifying all at once,” says Alex Mahylis (RC) of Topology.  “Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we’d see our shirts on the runway. Dressing the models backstage, I still wasn’t sure .  As I a ran around to the front of the stage to watch the show, my heart thumping in my chest, I saw our logo came up on the backdrop and the models start coming down the runway looking smooth as hell.  The audience’s reaction certainly was proof enough that the looks were well received!’ Alex and his partner Eric Li sourced indigo fabric in Japan for the slim-cut shirts used in the fashion show (they retail for $95) and since summer have been taking hundreds of orders via their site www.weartopology.com.  Alex adds that “Topology exists for those who want their garments to tell a story as interesting as their own,” and they aim to inspire people with the collection featured at the fashion show. Another local collection showcased during the show belongs to Helena Monteiro, a Boston graduate of Massachusetts College of Art and Design.  Her athletic wear looks inspired spirited and crowd-pleasing pushups, bicep flexes and other displays of fashionable athleticism from the models.    One of my personal highlights of the show was the bridal collection.  Christy Liu explained that it “was really fun segment for us to showcase and we’re thrilled that Joanna August was willing to send us so many pieces to work with.  This was a really exciting opportunity to put together a strong, cohesive presentation with our own creative stamp on it: the hair, the floral crowns, and the long stem bouquets.”   For those dying to know, I asked if attendees next year would see bridal gowns in addition to bridesmaid dresses walk down the runway, and the answer is: wait and see!

Stay for the PartyImmediately following the show, the Euro Club-hosted after party began.  I’ll be honest – I ended up turning into a pumpkin and didn’t make it to last call.  However before I sashayed my way home, I saw the dance floor fill with elegant party goers, and as Alex Mahylis said, “Everyone looked amazing.  So many people showcased their most fashionable selves!  Letting loose on the dance floor was a good way to celebrate an awesome evening.” Are you interested in showcasing your own designs in next year’s show?  The Topology team encourages you to “reach out early and use the show to communicate your brand vision.” Christy and Justine say “the team is always looking to improve,” and that, among other things, we can expect ATMs that don’t run out of cash and a cash bar that accepts credit cards next year. If you are an RC who had to go to class the next day – rest easy that next year’s event will aim to be held on a day when no classes follow so everyone that has interest can Euro-party the night away. The successes of the night can be summed up in the co-chair’s initial three goals formed at the start of planning the fashion show this year: “make the show as big as possible, bring in new and exciting designers, and maximize the check written to Cradles to Crayons at the end of it all.”  Check, check, (and sashay), check.



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