By Jessica Gordon

© FIT Photo Club

The PDN Press Preview Fashion Show kicked off the PDN Photo Plus Expo 2007. Dress by Melissa Kirgan.

Green was the new black at an eco-friendly fashion show that took place during PDN PhotoPlus Expo-week in New York City. To kick off its annual trade show and conference series, PDN hosted its Press Preview for the third year in a row at Splashlight Studios. Renowned photographer Michel Tcherevkoff was on hand with his new book Shoe Fleur, a collection of photographs of shoes, boots and handbags that were made entirely from fresh flowers. To complement Tcherevkoff’s focus on nature, the highlight of PDN’s Press Preview was a fashion show featuring environmentally-conscious designs by Fashion Institute of Technology alumni.

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A violet hand-manipulated chiffon dress with Swarovski crystals by Vengsarkar Budhu.

More than 30 designers submitted their organic, recycled or earth-friendly clothing. Aram Bashian, Vengsarkar Budhu, Melissa Kirgan, Rujuta Sheth and Hae-Jin Song were the five finalists selected by FIT staff and show organizers to participate in the show. Their dresses, suits and day wear were made from natural and organic fibers, naturally raised or tanned leather, found objects, earth tones and natural silk developed from silk worms.

Curtis Willocks – Club Director

FIT Photo Club Photographers Ken Shih Martha Gradikas Rachel Mares Jen Daly Jason LeCras Cynthia Simonetta FIT Photo Club Techs Joseph Mirisola Timothy Colose Brittanie Jones Steven Robinson

“I got an email from Sass Brown [assistant professor in the fashion design apparel department at FIT] and sent in images of my clothes,” said 2005 alumnus and designer Aram Bashian, whose refined rock-and-roll menswear employs recycled fabric and functional details. “I love what I do and any exposure is positive exposure.”

Along with the designers, eight FIT student photographers from professor Curtis Willocks’ photography club also recorded the event.

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Models wait backstage to walk the runway at Splashlight Studios.

“I usually just shoot fashion at school,” said Jason LeCras, a senior majoring in photojournalism who was assigned to capture the action of models and designers backstage. “This is a new world completely.”

Groups of four student photographers were each assigned to different areas of the venue—either backstage or “the pit” located at the foot of the runway. Four additional photo students were in charge of the technological aspect, burning CDs of images immediately following the show. This setup gave all the students a first-hand introduction to the fast pace of the fashion photo world.

“These students are all here because they love photography,” says Willocks, pointing out the photo coverage was completely voluntary.

The same sentiment was shared by the designers, who were happy to hob-knob with the more than 100 industry professionals, press and professional photographers who attended the event.

Designer Vengsarkar Budhu, whose natural silk creations featured a blue-violet evening gown made with hand-manipulated chiffon and real Swarovski crystals, said the connections at the event made it all worthwhile. “You never know who you’re going to meet or what could happen.”

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Designers and models take their final bows on the runway.