sophomore clothing

Western Elegance hits runway Friday
Fashion show to benefit Hope Scholarship Fund

STERLING, Colo. — This Friday will not be an ordinary day on campus for a number of students who have agreed to be models in the Western Elegance fashion show.

By the time the day is over, these learners will have been fitted, groomed, coached and showcased on the runway. The show is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 1 in the Tennant Art Gallery in Hays Student Center.

The fashion show, which is a prelude to the upcoming Western Elegance Hope Scholarship Gala, is designed to give spectators a taste of what kind of attire they might see later in the month. It is a fundraiser for the NJC Foundation, with all proceeds going to the Hope Scholarship fund.

Clothing and accessories to be showcased include items from the Serenity and Beau Monde boutiques located here in Sterling and from CM Accessories of Merino. You can expect to see the latest in Western cut tux combos, shirts, jeans, boots, purses, jewelry and belts galore, combined with some dazzling dresses, skirts and jackets, all appropriate wear for the upcoming gala on May 30. Both local boutiques are quick to point out that they have clothing in all sizes available locally in time for the upcoming gala.

The tuxes may be rented for the event, or can be purchased if desired. Serenity will be providing its own models at the fashion show; Beau Monde items will be modeled by students. The NJC cosmetology program students will be providing hair designs for the show.

As a special treat, some students will be modeling a number of items from Janelle Designs of Fort Collins. Janelle Baldwin has emerged as one of the most popular rodeo queen clothing designers around today. Her creations have been showcased at the Miss Rodeo America competition in Las Vegas for the last seven years. Her one-of-a-kind leather gowns and fancy arena attire, embellished with exquisite crystals and fringe among other pretties, are now being worn by state queens all over the country.

She designs a Miss Rodeo America jacket for the chosen queen each year and has designed a number of ‘theme’ jackets for state queens. Most recently, she completed a beautiful red, white and blue jacket for the current Miss Rodeo Minnesota which features a U.S. Marines military theme.

Baldwin’s booming cottage industry — she makes all of the clothing in a sewing room located in her home — has strong ties to NJC. She first began designing the queen clothing in 2001 when her niece, Addie Knowlton, who was a student here at the time, was vying for and was named Miss Rodeo Colorado 2002. Addie went on to be named the second runner-up at the national pageant in 2003. Addie was a student leader on campus at NJC, serving as the Associated Student Government secretary her sophomore year.

Three years later, Addie’s sister, Tressie Knowlton, who attended NJC from 2002-2003, was named Miss Rodeo Colorado 2005 and went on to capture the Miss Rodeo America 2006 title. Tressie won the coveted Miss Appearance title at that pageant. Baldwin made nearly all of the clothing she wore during her reign as the state queen and also did much of her wardrobe when she wore the national crown.

The clothing from Janelle will include some items she has actually made for various queens, but which have been returned to her personal collection for resale or exhibit.
In addition to some fabulous and fun clothing, the fashion show will include great music, door prizes and a full array of heavy hors d’oeurves and theme appropriate drinks following the show. Cost is $25 per person. Tickets should be purchased in advance and may be found at Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of Colorado (main bank), beau monde, Serenity or the NJC Bookstore. Only a limited number of tickets are sold due to space limitations. Vendors will be set up after the fashion show for some purchases to be made right on the spot.