On Saturday, February 27th, over half the senior class gathered in BHS’s cafeteria to put on their annual fashion show and raise money for Project Graduation, which celebrates the seniors’ last year at Bernards. During the months of preparation, students and parents worked to find donations of clothes, food, and equipment for the “#be.YOU.tiful” themed event. Both small, local stores were featured such as Bling, Apogee, and Windswept, as well as large department stores such as Gap and Old Navy that donated to the event. Seniors sported fashionable trends from bright statement skiing gear to casual day-to-day outfits in the first part of Saturday’s show. They donned stylish athletic wear and brought back 70’s trends with confidence as the audience cheered them down the runway. The emcees, Madison Mariani and Alec Steinhorn, announced every senior and store while entertaining the audience and getting a chance to walk the red carpet themselves.
The BHS cafeteria transformed into a fashion hotspot with decorative lights, splatter painted walls, and emoji-themed banners hung all around. Students also experienced a transformation, themselves. The Plaza Salon in Bernardsville, contributing to the fashion show for seventeen years now, donated their time and workers to help about sixty girls get their hair and makeup done the night of the show. In the hectic anticipation backstage, the seniors were surprised with a very special gift from the Plaza’s owner – two hour access to a photo booth tucked behind the stage. In the time leading up to the production, guests enjoyed music by Bernard’s High School band members, followed by DJ Basil during the show itself.
Beginning the show was Senior, Bunny Campbell, who strutted down the runway wearing Willow Street’s clothing. On Friday, during rehearsal, Campbell thought she “was going to be nervous for the real show, but once it was time for the actual show [she] was more excited than nervous.” At Friday night’s rehearsal, many seniors were nervous practicing in front of their peers, but when it came time for the actual show, everyone had fun with their chance in the spotlight. Curtis McGriskin, who dressed in an inflexible biker’s outfit said, “ I [had] fun embarrassing myself and walking with his great partner, Emily Maheras.”
At intermission, Mrs. Blejwas and Mrs. Baumert provided food for over 350 guests, offering options ranging from Starbuck’s cake pops to fruits and vegetables. Following the break, Seniors transitioned into the formal part of the show, girls wearing both long and short prom dresses, some borrowed from Bella Bridesmaids, and boys wearing a variety of different tuxedos.
At the end of the runway, every pair got to strike a unique pose or dance move and show off their gorgeous attire. One last walk on the red carpet by each model ended the show with a grand finale. Despite the hectic planning and ample time that went into the preparation for Bernards High School’s 2016 Fashion Show, the senior class can affirm every minute spent on the production was well worth it. Come June 22nd, the day of graduation, the seniors will enjoy their Project Graduation as a student body who worked hard and came together to raise money for the celebration with the help of their local community, parents, and volunteers.
Be sure to pay attention for next year’s fashion show so you can attend the event as a guest, volunteer, or – if you will be a senior – a model yourself!
