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Langley High School Fashion Show Planned

Once Upon A Runway: A Fashion Fairytale This Saturday

Models, designers, and fashion, oh my! The place to be this Saturday night is Langley High School’s 11th annual Fashion Show.

Once Upon a Runway: A Fashion Fairytale is being presented by Langley’s Advanced Fashion Marketing program. Ten student designers will put together a parade of their own creations as well as the latest fashion from the professionals.

However, participation is not limited to just fashion students. Over 200 student models, 24 members of faculty, and six administrations, including Principal Matthew Ragone, will walk the runway. The cast will also feature 20 Best Buddies—a partnership of students with intellectual disabilities.

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The event will raise money for the Advanced Fashion Marketing class’s annual trip to New York City. In addition, proceeds will benefit their DECA program, which prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management at Langley and many other high schools and colleges worldwide.

This year, the show’s organizers will also donate profits to the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization Suited for Change. The charity strives to provide low-income women with professional clothing and career education to increase their employment potential and develop to their economic independence.

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Year after year, tickets for the Fashion Show consistently sell out. Tricia Poythress, the Fashion and Global Marketing teacher at Langley, attributes the show’s popularity to the enthusiasm of her students. “The girls put their heart into the production and truly make people want to be a part of it,” she says.

Junior Sarah Benzaria, the PR Chair of the Fashion Show, elaborates: “The annual Fashion Show is always very popular with the kids at Langley because many students participate in the show. Students that are freshman, sophomore, juniors, and even seniors participate in the show and strut their stuff. It's always been an event that is talked about for weeks!”

It may be talked about for weeks, but it takes months of planning. The 36 girls in Mrs. Poythress’ Advanced Fashion Marketing class began brainstorming for the theme in October. “Since then we have continuously worked on it in class and outside of school,” says Ms. Benzaria.

Mrs. Poythress hopes the final product will showcase the talent of her students to the Langley and McLean community. But the emphasis of her instruction seems to transcend what some might see as frivolous, based on the show’s subject. The objective, she explains, is about education and leadership. “[The goal] is a hands on learning experience to enhance the course curriculum [and] a professional event that is 100% student planned and executed.”

Ms. Benzaria understands that her experience will help deepen her knowledge of the public relations industry. “I have learned many skills for establishing strong connections and advertising techniques to draw certain audiences,” she says.

The foundation for a successful show rests on the strength of the students and their teacher. Mrs. Poythress has spent 21 years teaching fashion, and 11 of those have been spent at Langley. She has two Masters degrees, one in Marketing Education and another in Curriculum and Instruction. She is enthusiastic about the capabilities of her students. “I see tons of potential. Not just in design, but in PR, Event Planning, and Marketing.” Her students also speak very highly of her: “Mrs. Poythress does a great job of grabbing students attention and making them want to learn and participate,” says Ms. Benzaria.

Other Fairfax County Public Schools have put on fashion shows in the past, most recently Robinson Secondary School on January 12. That show, Sound of Fashion, was also lead by Advanced Marketing Students, but nothing seems to compete with the fame of Langley’s show.

Annelle Johnson, member of the Langley High School PTSA Publicity Committee, recommended advance ticket sales in a recent email to the community. “I do know that one reason for the popularity of the show,” she says. “It is student-driven, and the LHS student body is great in supporting their peers and their endeavors.”

Once Upon a Runway: A Fashion Fairytale is January 22, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Langley High School. Doors open at 6:40 p.m. Tickets for the show are $10.00 in advance (on sale during all school lunch shifts from January 18 - 21), and $15.00 at the door, depending on ticket availability. 

Directors Once of Upon a Runway: A Fashion Fairytale are Jacqueline Pifer and Alicia Underhill; Arts and Decorations Chair is Sophia Apostolou; PR Chair is Ms. Benzaria; and Music and Commentary chair is Ashley Uzer.

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