Gaston high schoolers to put on unique fashion show

Clothing designed and sewn by Gaston County students will be on display Saturday at a Gastonia fashion show for people whose attire requires special modifications.

The students from Cherryville High School and Webb Street School spent weeks crafting the special designs for students who struggle to find pieces that fit their special needs, according to a news release from the Gaston County Museum.

The museum partnered with the two schools, local fabric artist and fashion designer Portia York, and the Gaston Arts Council which provided funding for the fashion show as the museum’s 2024 Touchstone Project.

“This annual Touchstone project ties specifically to our Niche Knits exhibit and our temporary exhibit ‘You Are . . . Feminine Strength,’ a fiber arts exhibit by Dr. (Portia) York,” the Museum’s Executive Director Ali Pizza said in the release.

Jared Varela works on clothing for the adaptive fashion show using a sewing machine that was provided through the Gaston Arts Council Grassroots Grant.
Jared Varela works on clothing for the adaptive fashion show using a sewing machine that was provided through the Gaston Arts Council Grassroots Grant.

“This has been such an enlightening experience for the students, teachers, staff and volunteers involved,” Pizza said in the release. “The students from both schools met on several occasions to design fashions that adapt to their differing needs and abilities. With help from Museum staff and volunteers and art teacher Lacey Dellinger, students learned how to create and tailor patterns to accommodate differing needs, and then construct finished garments.”

The show begins at 5 p.m. at Loray Mill, 300 S. Firestone St. in Gastonia.

Tickets cost $5 per person at the door with proceeds going to the schools participating.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston high schoolers to put on unique fashion show