Scene and Heard: So Haute Right Now (Last Time We Use That Joke, We Promise)

It was no surprise last Thursday night at the Sheraton Commander Hotel to see the runways of the Haute fashion show bristling with so many well-groomed and winsome student-models. Because as of late, despite what you might see in section or in Lowell dining hall, fashion—at least on the runway—is finding its Harvard niche.

Indeed, students are making a career modeling at Harvard shows—some already on their fourth or fifth appearance on a runway—and amateur designers are making a career designing for shows throughout the year. Karl, Marc, move aside.

The producers of Haute’s show were Kristen D. O’Neill ’07 and Abigail M. Baird ’08, both of the fashion-oriented Harvard Vestis Council. Baird’s main inspiration for the show was the Montreal-based acrobatic powerhouse, Cirque du Soleil.

“The different color schemes” of the show’s 90 or so pieces, says Baird, who is also a Crimson editor, “are supposed to represent the different seasons.” And the mini-ballet performance that opened and closed the show is supposed to be reminiscent of a fantasy ball.

In addition to featuring pieces made by famed designers such as Nanette Lepore, student designs took the stage as well.

“We had several contributions from student designers,” O’Neill says, “including both mine and Abby’s younger sisters.” And Vestis hopes this will inspire more student designers to get involved.

Case in point: Standing at the entrance to the show was budding freshman shirtmaker Antonio A. Pino ’10, who had several of his custom made shirts in the show. Spread out on an elegant looking table were his powder blue and exquisite pink herringbone spread-collar shirts, wrapped with ribbon and placed delicately in a silver sheen box. His shirts go for $90 to $120. No word on his sales, but hey, the designers have to start somewhere.