STRUT, this year’s take on Easthampton’s annual “Light Up the Arts” holiday party and fundraiser for Easthampton City Arts Plus, drew several hundred people to the Eastworks ballroom last Thursday for a runway fashion show, music and dance performances, art installations, a silent auction and a dance party hosted by DJ LeFox.
Guests looked at art and silent auction items while sipping offerings from local breweries until the fashion show began.
Local salons handled the hair designs, publicly, on the ballroom floor. Carissa Derby, who is the owner of Salon 180 East, said she did about a dozen heads for the event, including for Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux.
“She’s hilarious,” Derby said of Cadieux. “She said it was the first time she’s been able to sit down and relax for a long time.”
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Seth Glier was the emcee for the fashion show and introduced local celebrities, volunteers, artists, designers, clothing makers, fashion retailers and others who worked the runway before a cheering audience full of ooohs, ahhhs and catcalls. Glier also performed.
Some clothing was straight from the shelves of local retailers, while others were the work of costume artists, designers and body artists.
Hampshire College student Tucker Loftus, who attended with Fiona Black and Koby Leff, said the event is “passionate, crafty, and a lot of things that are close to my heart.”
Sondra Kunanele, of Chicopee, said it was “interesting” and “very inspirational.”
Victoria Orlova, of East Longmeadow, who modeled clothing for Luxe Consignment in Northampton, said the show is “awesome, because small businesses can represent their passion, interest and personality.”