DECA students host Spring Fashion Show

West Bloomfield High School recently held their annual DECA spring fashion show in the school auditorium. Tickets and raffle sales helped to raise more than $1300 in for the WBHS DECA program and class of 2020.

The show was hosted, planned and promoted by over 70 students enrolled in one of the school's fashion merchandising courses. As a portion of the class, students choose a committee to participate based on their personal interests. Students work on either modeling, choreography, staging, hospitality, merchandising or advertising to learn first-hand about the industry.
The experience was made possible by the involvement of local event sponsors Guys N Gals, People Skate and Snow, The Shirt Box, Lord and Taylor, Franklin Village Boutique, Laker Landing among others who generously donated their clothing for their event. In addition, they worked closely with student directors to share their knowledge and teach them further about retailing and special events.

Through the generosity of local retailers, a raffle was held with winners announced after the show. Over fifty prizes were awarded to students, staff and community members who purchased a ticket. Prizes included gift certificates, gift cards, sunglasses and memberships to local business including Mario Max Salon, Salon Edge, Cyclebar, Yoz Yogurt, Crispelli’s, Yoga Shelter, Dark Tan, Pickles & Rye Deli and Yaldo Eye Center.

Proceeds from the event will be used to assist with student travel expenses for the thirty-four WBHS DECA students who qualified to represent Michigan DECA at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida April 27-May 1. Students have qualified based on their superior performance at the district and state level in the areas of marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and entrepreneurship. The DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is the culmination of the DECA year. More than 13,000 finalists from 55 charters associations will compete for international honors in DECA’s Competitive Events Program.

Lisa Sallen, WBHS paraprofessional and fashion show assistant director called the show, “Simply spectacular! The end result showed how much time, hard work, and dedication each and every student put into the show.”

Students shared their thoughts on their experience taking part in the fashion class and fashion show.

Serving as student directors for the show were juniors Isabela Ristivojevic and Isaac Mintz. Ristivojevic said with her involvement in the show she, “grew closer to her classmates and became more comfortable sharing her ideas.” Mintz added, “Having the opportunity to create connections with local businesses and my peers was an incredible experience.”
Quade Feller, WBHS junior, “I learned technical skills and behind the scenes skills. I plan on using these skills in the future”.

Josie Freed, WBHS junior, shared what she learned by being apart of the advertising committee. “I have learned how to think outside of the box and be more creative”.

Yasmin Bangura, WBHS senior, explained her experience as a model in the fashion show. “I had so much fun learning all of the numbers and watching everything come together. Since this is my last year at WBHS, I will never forget all of the hard work that went into the show."

Check out the photo gallery from the Spring Fashion show here.