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Jefferson students raise money with throwback fashion show

Staff photo by CLOE CABRERA

The fourth annual show raised money for the school's International Academy of Fashion & Retail Marketing.

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By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2009

TAMPA - It didn't take Julius Griffin long to put together an outfit for Jefferson High School's "The Brightside of the '70s and '80s" fashion show Thursday.

"This is my own style," said Griffin, a 10th-grader, using a pick on his afro wig. "This was in my closet. All I had to do was accessorize."

Dressed in a gold MC Hammer-like jumpsuit, sequined belt and the afro topped off with a headband, Griffin did a little dance to KC and the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight."

He was among 40 students who grooved down the runway in vintage threads inspired by the disco and soul era. Students wore everything from bell bottoms and polyester suits to ripped-neck sweatshirts and legwarmers for the fourth annual show, which raised money for the school's International Academy of Fashion & Retail Marketing.

"The idea is to show you can look fabulous in thrift store finds," said Porter Cusmann, academy director. "The students really work their butts off."

Junior and senior academy students spent nine weeks planning and producing the show. They selected the models, music and lighting, created the stage sets and approved the costumes, Cusmann said.

This year, the students decided to travel back to a time before they were even born.

"A lot of the clothes we wear today are from back in the day," said Alessia Steele, a Jefferson 11th-grader who paired a silver tiered miniskirt with leggings and a bright-pink and purple top. Fashion "always comes back around."

Biousha Greene is too young to remember platform shoes and psychedelic pantsuits, but she still thinks they're very cool.

"These clothes are fabulous," said the Jefferson senior, who found her outfit and blonde afro wig at a thrift store. "I really feel like Foxy Cleopatra."

For LaDiamond Jackson, the production was as much about entertainment as fashion. Jackson borrowed his tweed jacket from his father. His bright bifocals, wig and rotted teeth came from a costume shop.

"I wanted to be fashionable and funny at the same time," said the Jefferson senior. "You always want to leave the crowd entertained."

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656 or ccabrera@tampatrib.com.

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