Molly Mahoney ’18

More than 100 pairs of hands clapped together, filling Toquet Hall with applause as Emerson Kobak ’18 emerged from behind orange curtains, to begin her second annual Fashion for a Cause Show. The ____ raised will be donated to STOMP Out Bullying, “the leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students,” according to the organization’s website.

“We want everyone to know that if they are going through a rough time that it will get better,” Kobak said, “and that there are resources like STOMP Out Bullying or the members of this club to help you get through it.”

Kobak knows from personal experience what it feels like to be a target of bullying and mistreatment. “I had a hard time with bullying and I was able to push through it and not give up hope” Kobak said of her elementary and middle school years. “I wanted to spread the message of positivity and this was the perfect opportunity to do so.”

Kobak, the president and founder of Fashion for a Cause, and Alessandra Nagar ’18, the vice president of design for the club, were the only two designers in the show. Each had specific visions for their models, and each transformed their visions into reality by sewing custom clothing, overseeing models’ hair and makeup, and working with a professional photographer and choreographer to ensure that the show was polished.

To kick things off, the Wreckers in Tune, a club that performs in a band at nursing homes, performed “Santeria” by Amy Winehouse and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, amongst other covers. “When Emerson asked us to perform at the fashion show, I was so excited because it is for such a good cause that is applicable to so many high school students” Gabriela Vega ’18, lead singer of the student music group, said. “All designs were amazing and I thought the music complimented it nicely.”

After live music and speeches from Kobak and other Fashion for a Cause members, Nagar’s show began. She opted for grayscale colors matched with varying types of high heels. Each of Nagar’s designs ranged from a flowing, flowered gray dress that almost brushed the ground, to dark, suede crop tops paired with miniskirts. “I wanted each outfit to be unique and represent the different models” she explained.

In contrast, each of Kobak’s designs was bold, integrating vibrant red, orange and yellow colors as well as black and white checkered fabrics. The outfits tied together, and in the finale each model donned a pair of funky clout glasses as the finishing touch. “Alessandra’s designs were definitely more fancy, especially with the heels, whereas Emerson’s were more street-style and trendy” Ida Nevstad ’19, who walked in one of Kobak’s bright orange pieces.

According to another Kobak model, Chloe Adda ’18, the lighthearted, positive community of students that came together to make the show possible is what prompted her to get involved, despite the pressure that can come with walking for more than 100 people. “It has a lot to do with body image and loving yourself” Chloe Adda ’18 said. “I think there’s a really good sense of camaraderie amongst the models. We’re all in this together.”