Taught couture OBHS students plan fashion show with original designs BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE - As the crowd looks on, fully coifed and made-up models will strut down the runway wearing the latest trends in clothing and accessories. It is not fashion week in Paris or New York, but the culmination of a long year of hard work for the clothing and design students at Old Bridge High School. "You see what you put into a show, and how good it can turn out. It's exciting," said Brianne Murphy, one of two student directors for the fashion show to be staged May 23 in the high school auditorium. Murphy, a senior, was one of the directors for the school's first fashion show last year. Clothing and design teacher Patricia Morrison instructs the students on everything that goes into putting on a fashion show, including such areas as fundraising, stage design and training the models. "It means so much, and they get so excited," Morrison said. "I have a passion for fashion." The May 23 show, dubbed "Lights, Camera, Fashion," will exhibit dresses, handbags and even pajamas, all designed and created by the students in grades nine through 12. The group has also planned an unusual twist to the typical fashion show to surprise guests in the audience, Morrison said. The five-year veteran teacher at Old Bridge said she gets the chills when she thinks about the students seeing their work come to fruition in the show. Parents and members of the public are all welcome to attend the event. Funds raised by the show will be used to create scholarships for students who plan to pursue a career in fashion, Morrison said. Although Murphy will not pursue fashion as a major when she attends Penn State University in the fall, she said she does plan to go further into the field. She uses her talent for design to help around the house, making curtains and upholstery for her mother, and to add unique pieces to her own wardrobe. Last year, Murphy said, she made herself a dress to wear to the prom. PHOTOSBYSCOTT PILLING staff Clockwise from top left: Old Bridge High School student Jessica Lupo sews fabrics together during class last week. Sylvia Pilawa, wearing a dress she designed, cuts out a pattern for a shirt. Jennifer Warner and Bitnari Kim put the finishing touches on a dress in the clothing and design classroom Friday. The students are making all of the clothes and preparing all aspects of the May 23 fashion show in the high school auditorium. "I was on a low budget last year, so I figured, why not make something I want?" Murphy said. Many of the clothing and design students wear the fashions they make, according to Murphy. "You'll see people walking around school wearing stuff that they made," Murphy said. "The things people make, they want to use, and they want to wear," Murphy said. Kristen Roszkowski, the other student director of the show, agreed. "I wouldn't make them if they would just go to waste," she said. Roszkowski, also a senior, said she gets her inspiration for designs by looking through magazines and fashion advertisements. When friends ask her to make something for them, Roszkowski finds it easier to teach them how to do it themselves. "I've always sewn … so it was always something to do," Roszkowski said. Though Roszkowski plans to attend the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan to pursue a career in advertising upon graduating, she has already seen the lucrative possibilities in the fashion field. Her cousin created a line of handbags that sold in a boutique, and Roszkowski got in on the action, making some money from her own designs. Someday, Roszkowski said, she would like to take part in the production of a big-name fashion show. "Just to be a part of something, and knowing your piece is in there, I think it would be fun," Roszkowski said. Both Murphy and Roszkowski said they have favorite designers whose clothing lines they admire. Roszkowski said she likes Michael Kors, Betsey Johnson and Chanel. "I'm a big fan of Vera Wang," Murphy said. "I love looking at her line." Tickets for the fashion show cost $5, and are on advance sale during school hours, or can be purchased at the door. The show will take place at 7 p.m. May 23 in the high school auditorium, located in the main building, Route 516. For more information, call (732) 290-3900.