By Sophia Penelope Hill

FS (St. Andrews Charity Fashion Show) has become a staple in my life. I know it is February when I see the construction of a stage on Lower College Lawn. I like the buzz around town leading up to the event; people eagerly getting their outfits prepared and booking their hair appointments. But most of all I love walking into the tent the night of - down those old stone steps through the black tunnel and into the magic.

As a fourth year, I really soaked this moment up, as nostalgic as that is to say. We all know the aura of FS, which is a sentiment Caroline Calloway explained yesterday on Twitter to describe her persona, that I think can be applied to the show: what you think about FS probably says more about you than it does about the event itself. As I have come to understand the reputations of these types of shows, I am still more invested in understanding how such quality and professionalism can be achieved at a collegiate level. Regardless of your opinions about the show, I am personally way more interested in highlighting how this event has become one of the main artistic showcases in town. I’ll admit it, I loved FS last year. My experience getting up close and personal with the clothes before the show really made seeing them on-stage come to life for me. And I was curious to see how the team decided to transform the show this year into something very different than the FS’s of the past.

Cut to PLAYHAÜS, a fantastical and indulgent escape that plays off of all the best things in life. Daniel Craig, one of the executive directors, explained to me the complex narrative the theme presented. Using six separate “rooms” and colors, the team was able to capture an all-encompassing aesthetic. Green House for those who escape into nature and are surrounded by the delights of the natural world. Sunshine Terrace for those who escape to the warm, carefree elements of the sun. Red Room represented independent and empowered femininity. Candy Lounge was an escape into the treasures of nightlife and rhythm. Deep Blue for those who escape through interpersonal interaction. Heather Hall as an escape through luxurious dining. All themes were represented by their respective colors: green, yellow, red, pink, blue, and purple. Based on these six core elements, the show was structured to bring these themes to life in various ways, and the clothes organized to fit these themes.

This year, the FS team made sustainability the keystone of it’s operation. Specifically, what the audience would see on the runway. Francesca Alavian, Head of Fashion, communicated that they had been given the task of showcasing at least 50% of the show with sustainable designers. A big task, but not impossible. Simultaneously, Alavian’s aims revolved around supporting young designers too, using the platform of FS to promote their work. The team used Graduate Fashion Week to scout for the show, for some of which FS was one of their first runways. Using designer outreach programs, they were able to compile a well-rounded closet of looks sourced from a myriad of sustainable designers. Alavian wanted to emphasize that the factor of sustainability should not be looked upon as trend, but more a reflection of how to incorporate these pieces into your life without having preconceived notions of sustainably sourced clothing. Sustainable clothes can be cool, fun, and accessible, as you do not have to sacrifice style to help save the planet. A few brands really stood out on the runway this year, one of them being CLAWDI. If you saw any of the FS publicity this year, then you probably saw these coats. The patchworked designs, coupled with sassy sayings about the planet, pack a punch. And they interweaved these coats into the lingerie section, highlighting feminine power and appeal.

Alavain went on to describe her personal favorite in the show, OOKIOH, an inventive new swimwear brand that has modern shapes, and fun colors. A brand that harps on classics of the past but is in no way basic. Seeing this on the runway, it was the first time I actually thought about buying something I had seen in the show. Similarly, Nette Rose, an ethical intimates’ brand that uses girly fabrics and delicate patterns, seemed like the new face of sustainable lingerie. I was pleasantly surprised at how creative these brands had become, while also having a conscious mind behind the business. In an effort to support student designers, FS featured Buzz & Bartie’s Archive, a streetwear reseller, run by St. Andrews student’s George Burrough & Felix Bartlett. I was personally pleased to see this included in the line-up as I believe supporting student work is really important given that there are so few outlets in town to do so.

As I watched the show this year, I really do believe the team succeeded in promising carefree elements of playfulness, and fun. It was an incredibly fun show, and I had a lot of fun. The duality of the light-hearted nature of colors and indulgence, with the extremely important focus on sustainability, made me have hope for the future. Not just the future of the show, but the future of how we approach making our favorite things sustainable. FS managed to utilize the elements of the show everyone expects and enjoys while making this event globally focused and aware. So perhaps I did get lost in the PLAYHAÜS that evening, but once on the other side, in the bright light of the Sunday morning, it was reassuring to know that we had all participated in celebrating a way to live a more thoughtful, empathetic, and sustainable life.

Photo Credit: FS St Andrews

St.Art does not own any of the images used in this article.