A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Last year, a group of students who love sewing and fashion came together to create a club to keep up the annual high school fashion show alive. The Key West High School Fashion Club is in the final production of its eighth annual show, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in the high school’s auditorium.
Ten young fashionistas will be presenting eight lines in the high-energy fashion show capturing the whimsical Shakespearian theme.
When the previous teacher left two years ago, there was no one to fill with a fashion degree to fill the position. That’s when the students rallied and convinced Sabryah Alghrary to sponsor the club. Without knowing much about sewing, Alghrary learned the ropes from last year’s president and put on a successful show. The club meets every Monday after school throughout the school year and then adds in Wednesdays as the fashion show approaches.
“I’m really proud of what these kids were able to put together without the benefit of classroom hours,” said Alghrary, a 2D art and English teacher. “The officers and students really went above and beyond to make this an amazing show.”
To raise money for the fabric and sewing materials, the club and their supporters wash cars on weekends and host numerous fund-raisers throughout the community. The fashion show is their biggest money maker, usually bringing in enough to cover next year’s expenses.
“They are very dedicated to this show,” Alghrary said. “They work through lunch, sewing and sketching, and then work at home.”
Kristin Crane, now a junior, learned so much from the class and was excited to join the club and keep working on her sewing skills.
“My line this year is bridal inspired,” said Crane, who hopes to go into some fashion related industry after graduation and idolizes Rachel Zoe’s fashion sense. “There will be lots of whites and golds, lace and open backs. It will be very girly — tulle and satin.”
Caya Cooper, a senior and fourth year fashion show student, applied to Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and said the class and club inspired her to pursue her dreams.
“These shows taught me to get over obstacles and what needs to be done to put on a quality production,” Cooper said at the rehearsal on Wednesday while watching the finale, which will incorporate a lot of glitter and fairy wings.
“I expect great things from these girls,” Algahrary said looking over sketches of the designers’ work. “Most of them have been designing for the past three and four years.”
The doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and presale tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Key West High School or from any of the fashion club students. Tickets at the door are $15, kids under five are free. The Key West High School Culinary students will be at the fashion show passing out appetizers before the show.
