Cares Closet got style.
So do the students who wear the clothes.
Students modeled an array of casual and business attire from SWC Cares Closet, a clothing pantry housed in the Academic Senate office. It was a fashion show that was surprisingly fashionable.
Academic Senate President Emily Lynch Morissette started the boutique for students in need with clothes and accessories for interviews, meetings or seasonal attire. It also provides warm jackets and casual wear students can wear to class.
Models strolled the runway and brought the closet to life. Briskly paced and rich with selections, the show kept the audience engaged and cheering for more. Students modeling the donated fashions said they enjoyed their turn on the catwalk.
Nayeli Vargas, 23, a child development major, said she was happy to participate because other students might identify with her and feel more confident about using the Cares Closet by seeing her up on stage.
“They can do it,” Vargas said. “You do not have to have a certain size or color of skin.”
Giovanny Reyna, 28, a website developing major, agreed and said modeling different ways to dress up for an interview was fun.
Jessica Rodriguez, 40, a psychology major, said she chose outfits from the closet she thought might attract more people to the program.
Angela Arietti, administrative secretary of the Academic Senate, said demonstrating the array of clothes available at the Closet was important. She said many students think the closet only carries formal apparel when jeans or jackets are also available.
“We have anything from casual wear to interview attire,” she said.
Lynch Morissette said putting on the show was difficult because she is trained as a lawyer, not a fashionista. Seeing happy students made it worthwhile, she said.
“I really enjoyed it because it made the students feel gorgeous,” she said.
Arietti said it was a nice experience seeing students blossom and feeling good about how they looked.
“This morning I helped do make-up and hair,” she said. “You could see smiles that were not there before.”
Arietti said the Cares Closet is open Monday and Friday, but students are welcome to stop by anytime they want to check out the clothes.
“Do not be shy, we are here for everyone,” she said. “We are here to help as much as possible.”
