Desert Hot Springs High School fashion students — many also members of the new afterschool fashion club launched through a first-of-its-kind partnership between the school and Think Together, California’s largest expanded learning provider — showcased their artistic talents April 25 during a student-led fashion show.
The Fashion I and II classes produced the show, presenting original designs that embodied their theme: Old Hollywood. The student designers created a spectrum of styled looks that included formal dresses, pantsuits, and casualwear.
This event marked the first time the school’s fashion students created designs from scratch. In previous years, they’d thrift clothing pieces.
In addition to creating original designs, some students also walked the runway, conceptualized and executed the makeup and hair styles, and ensured the show ran smoothly.
The fashion students worked for several weeks to conceptualize the theme and specific looks for the show. The class fashions its curriculum from the renowned Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.
The fashion students modeled their designs on the runway with confidence and grace. Most of the designs were original pieces; some were thrifted.
The Desert Hot Springs High School Fashion I and II classes presented their 10th annual fashion show in the school’s gymnasium for an audience of parents, faculty, and students. The fashion students are also part of Think Together’s afterschool fashion club.
Fashion is a passion for many DHSHS students, including Aubrey, who feels connected to the fashion club and appreciates how it helps her showcase original ideas.
“Fashion inspires me to be more creative and more open with myself,” she says. “Fashion is about all kinds of different designs, and when I create my own dress or sketch, I’m not following the social media trends — I’m doing it in my own unique way.”
In March, the Fashion II students had the opportunity to display two original designs at Fashion Week El Paseo’s student event. Think Together, the featured charity beneficiary of the evening, facilitated the school’s participation — the first time DHSHS fashion students showcased their designs alongside industry professionals. The event left a lasting impression on the students and inspired the Think Together afterschool fashion club.
DHSHS fashion students with Think Together founder and CEO Randy Barth (far right) at El Paseo Fashion Week. Think Together was the charity beneficiary of the evening’s student event.
DHSHS students stayed to watch the fashion show put on by the Instituto Marangoni Miami fashion students.
“Now that we are expanding students’ time designing fashion pieces,” says Fiona Burns, Think Together site program manager for DHSHS, “we’ll be able to provide the students already enrolled in the fashion class with the resources to explore their creativity beyond the regular school day.”
Think Together currently serves more than 3,000 students in the Coachella Valley daily through the partnership with Palm Springs Unified School District. Think Together provides academic support and additional programming, including competitive sports, culinary programs, drivers’ education for high school students, and much more at no cost to families.
“In high school,” says DHSHS principal Omar Tinoco, “we know kids drop out because they weren’t connected to school. A program like Think Together really connects the kids and gets them excited to be here every day.”
