The final stop on HC’s College Fashion Week™ tour brought us to sunny Santa Barbara, where Californian collegiettes finally got their chance for a #LifeUpgrade! Models from University of California Santa Barbara lined up to strut their stuff under the pink lights, showing off fashions ranging from gym shorts to stunning formal wear.
HC chatted with the models backstage to get the whole scoop on the College Fashion Week™ experience. Read our interviews with our lucky collegiette models below to find out what a day on the CFW runway feels like!
HC: How did you become a model for CFW?
Beka: My roommate is on the Her Campus team at UCSB and as soon as she mentioned that they were recruiting models for the show I said I want in. I’m only 5’2 but I thought it sounded like a fun opportunity!
Heather: I’m friends with one of the Campus Correspondents and when she asked if I wanted to do it or if any of my friends were interested, I made an announcement at my sorority and got 5 friends to model in the show with me. It’s not everyday that you get to model in a fashion show so I thought it would be a fun and unique experience!
Jenny: I’m new to the Her Campus team so I thought it would be a great way to get to know some of the girls I will be working with and learn more about HC. And getting our hair and makeup done by professional makeup artists was definitely an added bonus.
HC: Do you have any previous modeling experience?
Natalie: Yea I actually have done a bit of modeling for companies like Neff, but mostly print stuff so I was so excited to try out runway modeling which is something I’ve never done.
Sophia: I modeled previously for Lovesao and Nialyte, The runway is not the same, there are completely different steps and you have to walk in heels. I used to do pageants so my walk is upbeat. Professional modeling is more hectic, [here] they spend time with you all day which is nice.
Mary-Alice: No! haha but my friend asked if I would do it with her, I’m stoked for my first modeling experience!
HC: What has been your favorite part of preparing for the show?
Jasmine: Getting my hair and makeup done, I’ve never had this much makeup on before!
Elaine: I really liked getting to meet all the other models and we have just been hanging out in our down time and having fun. I already know some of them from my sorority but its fun to meet girls in other houses.
HC: If you could take one look from the show home what would it be?
Suzanne: I love the workout outfit I get to wear! The shorts have a fun pattern on them but the colors are subtle enough that I would wear them to the gym all the time.
Jayde: This school outfit is cute for fall. I love jeans tucked into boots with sweaters, so I would totally wear this to class when it gets cooler.
Ryann: My workout outfit its really cute and I like it because I don’t usually wear long sleeves to workout in but this top is great and they gave me some sweet sunglasses to wear too!
We also spoke to April Patten-Brydges, a backstage assistant who said that the most common correction she has been giving the models is “Posture. Eyes forward. Sometimes [the student models] don’t take things seriously.” When asked about clothing choices for the models she explained, “From city to city we show similar styles but try to cater to the individual schools’ styles.”
Whether they were first time models or seasoned professionals, everyone looked amazing and had an absolute blast at CFW Santa Barbara! But don’t take our word for it – check out all the runway fashions and big smiles in our photo highlights from the event!
This piece is part of College Fashion Week™, a fresh, fun new program presented by Her Campus, and sponsored by U by Kotex®. Not happy with your period protection? BREAK UP. Try New U by Kotex® brand products. Protection you can get serious about. Intrigued? Click here to get deets from the source about the first-ever College Fashion Week™ and find out if we’re coming to your campus. Fingers crossed!