About VTU

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Voyage to Utopia is an annual Fashion Show produced by Marymount University's African Caribbean Student Association (ACSA), Black Student Alliance (BSA), and Latino Student Association (LSA). It's aim is to showcase both the modern and traditional fashions of Caribbean, African, and Latino cultures. The production is 100% student led and provides a platform to introduce designers within the university community and surrounding areas. This years show will take the audience from their seats into colorful stories yet to be told through fashion. What's your story?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Model Spotlight: Stephanie Haas

left to right: Stephanie, Morgan

Stephanie Haas is a graduate student at Marymount University in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.

When asked about her personal style she had this to say:
"I'm more of a classic look girl but I admire adventurous people in fashion."

I also asked Stephanie how she felt about VTU and how she would handle butterflies the day of the show:
"I did a little modeling in high school for fun but that's it. Fashion is so much fun and I know I will be nervous the day of the show but I will have to turn it into nervous energy."

Haas tried out for VTU on the last day of model tryouts on a whim. She is a newbie to fashion and modeling having only participated in one or two shows during high school. Overall, Stephanie is looking forward to the show and strutting down the runway with the sass and poise taught by VTU model coordinators Justin Rice Moore and Courtney Kemp, both seniors.

Be sure to buy your tickets for VTU '11 to see Stephanie and the other beautiful and handsome models as they showcase some of the best work in the DMV area.

left to right: Mimi, Stephanie

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Model Spotlight: Kaiya Bazemore


To begin our bi-weekly model spotlights, we pulled aside Kaiya Bazemore during model practice. Our very own Nana Konadu and Tenesa Brown asked the current sophomore and Fashion Design major a few questions about the impact of fashion and Voyage to Utopia on her life.


Question: How does your sense of fashion explain who you are?

Kaiya: “My fashion sense is more…mood-driven.  I notice if I’m not as happy, I wear darker colors. If I’m happy, I’m brighter. If I feel extra sexy, [I’m going to] be sexier. But also I like to try new things, even though I’m scared sometimes […] At one point of time, I believe I was in elementary or middle school, all I wanted to wear was American Eagle or Gap. [Those] were my favorites.  Then I went from there, and I was more punk rock, and that was the first time I cut my hair. So, I like to try new looks and I like to try different things. I don’t have an exact style. That’s not me. The only time I have an exact style is when I’m going to the club… and that’s because I want to be sexy. Other than that, I don’t have one thing. Like I said, I’m mood driven.”

Question: What are you most excited about for the fashion show?

Kaiya: “Actually, [when] most people, before a show, are anxious or nervous, I like it. For me, that’s my adrenaline rush. When people [ride] roller coasters or bungee jumping… that feeling. For me, I like backstage. When on stage, I like to model, but at the same time, I like the rush in the background. I’m like… I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just something about it. You will never find another kind of rush like that… Behind the stage of a fashion show, you will never find a rush like that. I love it.

Question: In your own words, how does culture and ethnicity affect fashion?

Kaiya: “I feel as though [culture and ethnicity] affects fashion because everyone views it in their own way. You see [fashion], and you all maybe seeing the same thing, but everyone will have their own thought and opinion on it… Also, it depends on your background. What you were born with , what you were raised with, it all makes [your view on fashion] different.

Question: What have you learned about yourself so far [while] working with Voyage?

Kaiya: “What have I learned? [Laughs.] Actually, I thought I was going to be a horrible teacher. But it’s one of my passions. Because it’s modeling, I can show them… I learning that I can help people more than I thought I could. Also, my patience has grown. I love modeling!”


Question: So how has what you learned from Voyage affected other aspects of your life?

Kaiya: “Well before, when it came to having patience and trying, I would try. [After that] I would just say, ‘I’m not going to do this anymore.’ I relate teaching modeling to teaching my little siblings. I’m the oldest of 7, so I know how it is.”

Question: What will you take with you once Voyage is over?

Kaiya: “I’m meeting and talking to new people, so I’ll take away some friends. I’m glad to meet people as interested in modeling as I am. When working in groups, it’s always a learning experience. When I get to see them in their zone, it makes me happy. I like it!”