Fridays at Shadow Ridge can sometimes look pretty uneventful, most students just want to go home, catch up on sleep, and enjoy their weekend. But for the students in Fashion Club, Friday afternoons look a little different. The classroom turns into a mini workshop where these students and their friends can unleash their creativity.
“We typically do accessory related crafts, and other clothing-based activities. For example, last year we made bottle cap buttons with cloth, pins, and bottle caps.” Senior Emmaline Leavitt stated, “Another time, we painted miniature tote bags. We’ve also done clothes altering, and we learn crochet at least once a month. Fashion Club provides a safe space for students to express themselves. It gives many students a creative outlet to express themselves while being surrounded by a welcoming and friendly community. ”
Beyond crafts, Fashion Club provides a space where everyone can be themselves. Leavitt describes the activities students participate in Fashion Club, and highlights how they can express themselves through their art.
“The officers of Fashion Club often discuss different ways we can incorporate different current events and trends into our activities, sometimes shifting plans a little to make them more interesting. Every February, around Valentine’s Day, we hold a Bracelet Gram Fundraiser. This fundraiser gives students the chance to get a bracelet for someone in their life, whether that’s a significant other, a friend, a parent, or just someone they want to appreciate,” Leavitt continues.
Fashion Club makes an effort to contribute to the Shadow Ridge community, whether that is through a fundraiser or participating in events as a group. They create things for others to try to make a difference and spread kindness.
“I’ve always had an interest in clothing and fashion, and as a freshman who had just come from a school that had uniforms, I wanted to learn how to truly express myself through fashion and the accessories I wore.” Leavitt explains,” I stayed in Fashion Club because of all the amazing people I met and became close friends with. The people I met went on to become my biggest supporters, and the people who guided me through 9-11th grade.”
Fashion Club has helped Leavitt, and many others, to find a community where she could express herself through fashion.
Leavitt states, “I want to pick up where the class of ‘25 left off. Since those officers were the original founders of the club, I want to continue upholding the messages and mission that they wanted to accomplish when they founded the club. I want to create a space for other students to express themselves through fashion, much like those original members did for me.”
