Quentin Harvard leaned against a table backstage, showing no outward trace of nerves as he awaited his runway debut. Yet the moment carried extra weight: He was preparing to walk alongside his older brother, Chance Loomis, a fashion student at Kent State University.
Loomis’ looks for the evening included an acid-wash button-down shirt accompanied by fake blood and droplets of sweat dripping down his chest and near double black, baggy jeans positioned around his waist. Harvard, meanwhile, wore custom reconstructed flared jeans that featured a belt looped through and draping in the front. Bright yellow patches stating “MORE EXPERIMENTAL SEASON 1” rested near the ankle hem line. Bottoms were paired with a short-sleeved shirt that revealed its own message: “Do MORE, Be MORE. MØRE.”
Ava Bennett, a senior who is in the business career pathway at East Community Learning Center, captured videography and escorted guests to their seats, adding another marketing and hospitality experience to the portfolio of experiences she hopes one day will help her own a restaurant.
Aminah Claxton had no intention of ripping the runway. But her designs did, including six pieces created from thrift store fabrics. “So, when people see the piece[s],” Claxton said, “I definitely want them to think, ‘Aminah Khati.’”
Altogether, nearly 30 models, seven designers and seven support staff gathered Friday, Jan. 30, for the I Promise 2 Fashion Show hosted by Carpe Vitam, an Akron-based contemporary fashion label founded by Cassidy Phidd.
In collaboration with The LeBron James Family Foundation, Kent State University School of Fashion and East CLC, the event gave teenagers and young adults a platform for their artwork. Students enrolled in Akron Public Schools also experienced an opportunity to practice what they are learning in career pathways while being mentored by Phidd, a 21-year-old designer and Akron native.
Phidd conceptualized the idea after living in Paris as a part of Kent State’s study abroad program.
“As I was doing the event, I was like, I want to highlight a school that doesn’t get highlighted,” Phidd said of East CLC. “I didn’t attend public high school, but I’m a daughter of the city, so of course, I’m very active and involved.”
Bennett, 17, a student at East CLC, took advantage of the fashion-forward opportunity.
“So, for this upcoming year,” she said, “I’m just excited to network and meet people.”
Akron fashion show honors a late visionary
Guests trickled in wearing their version of avant garde and formal attire — from shoulder-padded blazers to plaid skirts layered over jeans. Before the show began, organizers played a tribute video highlighting Phidd’s late mentor, Joshmere Abdul-Baari Muhammad. His support system responded loudly: “Love you Baari!” The show also served as a tribute to Gage Young and Dierre Williams; all three touched Phidd through friendship and fashion and serve as reminders to continue to create.
The emcee, DJ Crisis, introduced designers as models walked out to selected songs such as “Freakum Dress” by Beyoncé and “Nevada” by NBA Youngboy. Models walked through the aisles, striking poses and spinning into half turns as guests immortalized the moments on their smart phones under bright ring lights.
Near the end of the show, DJ Crisis led the audience through a sing-along of Keyshia Cole’s “Love.”
East CLC students get involved
East CLC students promoted the fashion show through social media and helped to set up, style models and greet guests. Bennett’s bubbly personality showed through while engaging in conversations with them.
“She really gave me a lot of information about the business world,” Bennett said of Phidd, who she worked with for about a month before the fashion show. “And how important networking is and just being herself, being genuine with people and making connection with people, and how far it will take you just to make connections.”
Introductions to the runway
Models traveled from near and far to participate.
Harvard? He drove from Erie, Pennsylvania, to model in his first fashion show. Now he’s looking forward to returning to the Akron area to attend college at Kent State.
“… I’m definitely going to go into fashion modeling, that’s the goal.” Harvard said.
His brother, Loomis, has modeled for nearly two years and is always looking for another stage to step onto.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to bring people together,” Loomis said. “Obviously raise money, show off everyone’s talents and creativity through the show.”
Both brothers express themselves through online content and put together outfits that “push boundaries.”
Harvard leans into a casual, everyday aesthetic with many of his outfits styled around baggy jeans, collared shirts and brightly colored hoodies with symbols and artwork. Loomis switches between bold platform boots, patterned matching sweatsuits and minimal monochromatic suits or all-white ensembles.
“That’s just how I express myself now, in general.” Loomis said.
Designers showcase unique pieces
In December, Fried launched MORE Clothing, his clothing brand. It promotes creativity and reaching new heights in life.
He started with hoodies, which quickly sold out. He has since expanded his inventory to include handmade t-shirts and custom jeans.
The self-taught designer gathers inspiration from designers and fashion brands such as Planet Marcellus, Maison Margiela and Virgil Abloh and implements techniques into his pieces and models’ presentations. He’s inspired by unconventional fashion shows of the 1990s where runways were positioned in abandoned buildings, distressed playgrounds and vacant supermarkets.
“I like the destruction look,” Fried explained.
On Friday, Fried sent streetwear looks down the runway at House Three Thirty, including destroyed and reconstructed flared jeans, dark dip-dyed hoodies and acid-washed button downs. Some models sported sunglasses and fuzzy-brimmed hats and held onto stuffed duffle bags, pants pockets and iPads with wired headphones.
In the lineup of seven looks, Fried included a piece that represented “when you’re doing more, there is going to be pain and suffering, but in the outcome, everything’s gonna turn out nice. But I wanted to show that it’s not an easy road.”
“What I really want to do in the future with MORE,” he added, “I want to just be big.”