Rappin’ • At
the 6th Annual Rags II Rhythm fashion
show, a performance
by Slum Village contributed to the reason for
a sold-out show.Tracey Roman
/Online Forty-Niner
Bright colors, vintage blazers
featured in Rags II Rhythm
By
Will Shaw
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
With
a sell-out crowd, the sixth annual Rags
II Rhythms fashion show provided a friendly
and entertaining atmosphere, blending a
unique combination of live hip-hop music,
student and independent designer clothing
lines, and trendy styles.
The Rags II Rhythms show, held in the USU Ballroom Wednesday, performed in
front of more than 360 people, most of whom were on their feet, dancing in
their chairs and in the aisles during most of the show.
Three 100.3 the Beat disc jockeys. Chuck D, Manny Montana and DJ Stylez, provided
the music. DJ Stylez was positioned in the middle of the square runway, mixing
and scratching hip-hop as the models walked around him. Montana, currently
on the 100.3 the Beat street team, is also a student at Cal State Long Beach.
Slum Village, an urban hip-hop group from Detroit, performed during intermission,
and had the crowd up on its feet, surrounding the runway, singing, dancing,
and waving hands to the rappers on the stage.
While this is the sixth year of the show, this was the first year the show
wasn’t free. According to the Program Council, the purpose of charging
for admission was to try to reimburse some of the cost of the show, although
it does not plan on breaking even.
There were 28 male models and 40 female models who walked the runway, wearing
clothes from more than 10 independent labels.
Jennifer Prudhome, designer and creator of Jenny P’s Culture Tees, is
currently a junior at CSULB, double majoring in fashion merchandising and design.
Jenny P’s Culture Tees were featured on the runway, as well as at a booth
in the marketplace outside the show.
"
This is my third year participating in Rags II Rhythms," Prudhome said. "I
do it because CSULB’s Program Council knows how to organize fun and
progressive events. They work hard to bring exciting, entertaining and informative
programs to our campus and Jenny P’s was something the event producers
knew would work well with the purpose of their organization’s fashion
show."
Prudhome, no stranger to the show, has been involved in it since she was a
freshman.
"
This is the first time Jenny P’s was at the fashion show, but my freshman
year I modeled and designed a few pieces with one of my best friends under
the name Percussion," Prudhome said. "This past spring I modeled
without designing. Rags II Rhythms 2006 was my first year as a model, designer
and marketplace participant. I definitely had my hands full."
Besides Jenny P’s Culture Tees, other lines like LRG, Deeply Rooted and
Lenjetta’s Custom Vintage also showed their clothing on the runway.
Deeply Rooted, a Christian clothing company, used Christian sayings, slogans
and graphics to create fashionable clothing with a religious message. T-shirts
had messages like "Beyond Blessed" and "Strength," sometimes
accompanied by a Bible verse.
LRG focused on bright, hip colors, such as pinks, yellow, and greens, for both
men and women. A male model walked the runway in a pink track jacket with a
pink belt and jeans, while a female model walked the other side with a pink
ribbed tank-top and pink trucker hat.
Lenjetta’s Custom Vintage, a crowd favorite, put every male model in
a vintage blazer with graphics. One blazer had limes, another had astronauts
and another had mountains.
Frank Oliver, a senior double major in English and black studies, is a regular
attendee of the Rags II Rhythms, with 2006 being his third show.
"
This show is always top notch," Oliver said. "Between the diversity,
the talent and the new styles of clothes, the environment is very professional."
Chantel Vaultz, a senior English major and model in this year’s Rags
II Rhythms, decided she had to be in the show after being involved the year
before. Describing herself as "plus size," she was able to work with
Megan King, vice chairwoman of Program Council, so she would be able to model
like she hoped she could.
"
Megan King found me specific clothes to fit my size so I could be in the
show," Vaultz said. "I couldn’t have done it without her."
She said she loves the styles and the different dynamics of the music Rags
II Rhythms offers. She was very enthusiastic about the direction the show is
heading.
"
I’m just excited to see what they have planned for the future of Rags
II Rhythms," Vaultz said. "It seems to be getting bigger and better
each and every year, and I’m excited to see where it’s heading."
Prudhome said she attributes her creativity to God.
"
Each [label] has a different message and purpose that could reside within any
individual that understands the importance of loving yourself and something
greater than yourself, God," Prudhome said. "God gives me my creativity
and makes it possible for me to push forward by doing things with my line that
no one else does."
Prudhome loves the experience of being able to share her line with her fellow
students and campus community.
"
I am so thankful for being a part of a campus that allows me to participate
in events like Rags II Rhythms, and work with organizations like Program
Council," she said. "I love my university, fashion program, peers
and faculty so what greater moment than to share Jenny P’s/Culture
Tees with those who have seen it as a work in progress?"
Isaac Choice, a sophomore accounting major, attended the show last year, and
returned this year.
"
The vibe is nice here," Choice said. "The music is true hip-hop,
not the commercial stuff. The clothes are creative and the environment is
friendly. All of this is pure diversity and I’m liking that. I definitely
will be attending next year."
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