Sixteen students from high schools throughout the region showcased their final fashion collections during the "Cirque Du Chic" senior fashion show on the campus in Yorktown Heights May 31.
The garments were all inspired by elements of the circus and every element of the show – from lighting, to set design, hair and make up, was executed by students at the technical school.
Olympia Minichino, a senior, said she was inspired by the "flashy and glamorous" side of the circus. All the hard work she and the rest of the students put throughout the year really paid off at the end.
"During this year I realized how I wanted to express myself in the fashion industry," Olympia said in an interview that was played during the fashion show. "I am very thankful for this program and our amazing teacher Mrs. Tobin because I've gained so much experience that I will definitely use in my future."
Jessica Lehtonen, a 17-year-old Brewster High School senior said her collection, which consisted of six women's and two men's outfits, was chic and glamorous. The high school senior will go on to study fashion design in college and said fashion is always changing and it's always a challenge. The girl, who currently, works at Elephant's Walk boutique store in Mt. Kisco, hopes to one day open her own boutique store.
Giana Capone, a Carmel High School, has been attending BOCES for the last two years. She love for fashion began three years ago when she noticed the beautiful garments in the window displays of New York City stores. Since then, she has sketched more than 20 designs of pants and corsets.
While working toward their fashion show at the end of the year, Giana said she had to learn to sew and make sure her garments had pockets and zippers. Although it had been a tough process, in the end it was all worth it.
"It's a big process," she said. "It's really fun and hard at the same time."
Edina Mehnedovic, of Mahopac, said ever since she was in third grade she was interested in fashion and knew that's the field she wanted to be in.
"I never thought I would make clothes and I thought it was impossible," she said. "And now I see it as something more enjoyable and it's relaxing."
All students dreamed big for their futures and spoke passionately about fashion and the rewarding process of making their own clothes. For Ossining resident Dayrenet Portorreal it was her mom's shoes and clothes, which she would put on as a kid, that sparked her passion for fashion.
Maya Goldberg, a Chappaqua resident, said the process has made her more "driven and responsible." For her collection she wanted to add an edge and femininity to her garments and use influences from the various circus styles.
"I would like to one day have my own clothing line and become an influential figure in the world of fashion," she said.
Sarah DeMattio, from Mahopac, said for her collection she was inspired by the entertainers in the circus and wanted her clothes to reflect their character, but still appear wearable in every day life.
"I hope to someday work in the business part of the fashion industry," said the high school senior who will be studying fashion merchandise and management at the Fashion Institute of Technology in the fall. "I know I want to be very successful in the leadership role and obviously make a lot of money. I want to some day overall make my family and Mrs. Tobin and everybody who has supported me very proud."
The 16 "Cirque Du Chic" student designers and high school seniors are:
Angelina Leone, Walter Panas HS
Mackenzie Auth, Putnam Valley HS
Angelika McGovern, Putnam Valley HS
Kaya Birch, Ossining HS
Giana Capone, Carmel HS
Tiffany Redondo, Ossining HS
Sarah DeMattio, Mahopac HS
Maya Goldber, Horace Greeley HS
Skye Golematis, Walter Panas HS
Jessica Lehtonen, Brewester HS
Nicole Loscri, John Jay HS
Edina Mehmedovic, Mahopac HS
Olympia Minichino, Yorktown HS
Dayrenet Portorreal, Ossining HS
Kallie-Ann Correa, Ossining HS
Destiny Washington, Ossining HS
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