By Rebecca Hamilton

Fashion lovers gathered under strings of lights and canopies of tulle for the student-organized Equilibrium Fashion Show in the Shore Art Gallery on Friday night.
The event, which was intended to raise awareness of student groups including Wishing Well, 25 Cloth and Handbangs of Hope, featured student models dressed to reflect the “East Coast/West Coast” theme. About 200 people came to watch students walk the runway, modeling clothing and accessories.
“There were people literally standing outside the windows just to catch a glimpse of everything,” said Whitney Puckett, director of the event and junior advertising and public relations major from Melbourne, Fla.
Puckett said the show was intended to bridge the gap between fashion and global issues, and she said she was pleased with the turnout.
Preston Watkins, assistant director of the show and sophomore advertising and public relations major from Manassas, Va., agreed the event was a success.
“I really couldn’t have asked for it to go better,” he said. “It’s cool to see that people really want to see what you’re working on, and they really want to support you.”
Watkins said he and Puckett, along with students Adrianna Casteneda and Bailey Neal, began planning the show in March. The team found sponsors during the summer, then styled the models in line with the theme, chose music and decorated the gallery for the event.
“It’s really incredible to see your vision come to life,” Watkins said.
The night began with West Coast-inspired outfits that made use of bright colors and light, gauzy materials. Women wore floral prints and loose sundresses with big belts and jewelry. Men wore sunglasses, stripes and v-neck shirts.
After a brief intermission, models changed into more sophisticated and professional East Coast styles. Neutral colors, form-fitting clothing and big hair dominated the runway. Women wore dark makeup and high-waisted bottoms, and the men wore dark blazers and plaid button-down shirts.
For the finale, models wore T-shirts from 25 Cloth and Wishing Well.
“We wanted to show how companies like that are using bags and clothing and accessories to better other people’s lives and make a difference in the world,” Watkins said. “It’s less about vanity, more about change.”