The stage was lined with decorated mannequins and the stairs were lined with designer shoes when the Tru Modeling Troupe walked the runway on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 in the Lyman Center for the Performing Arts to raise money for L.E.A.P (leadership, education, athletics, partnerships).
LE.A.P is a program based in New Haven that focuses on the social and educational development of youth ages five to 23.
“Myself and many of the coordinators are old L.E.A.P counselors. We still have connections with the children so to give back monetarily is amazing,” said Tru Modeling Troupe Coordinator Amanda Morriar.
The modeling troupe started on the Southern Connecticut State University campus three years ago. What sets it apart from other modeling groups on campus is its mission to give back.
“All of our fashion shows,” said Morriar, “benefit different charities. We believe in walking for change,” she said.
Tru models use their talent and love for fashion and entertainment to give back to the community.
“We are using fashion to give back to our community and good causes that have an impact on not only those who are interested in fashion, but also those who can benefit the most from our donations,” said Monica Ruszczyk, coordinator for the Tru Modeling Troupe.
Since the organization started, the Tru models have put on fashion shows to raise money for Yale New Haven Heart Disease Research Fund and for the Susan G. Komen foundation to support breast cancer education and research, said Morriar.
The Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) sponsors Tru Modeling Troupe so that they are able to put on fashion shows for the campus and the community.
Many different aspects come together in order to put on fashion show from finding an organization on campus to sponsor the group to selecting clothes, models and music, Morriar said.
“When we started it was very hard to find an organization on campus,” said Morriar. “OLAS was very supportive of our vision,” she said.
Along with finding sponsorship, putting a fashion show together is a lengthy process.
“It’s definitely a process. We start planning six months ahead of time. We practice for three months for the show,” said Morriar.
Their third annual hair and fashion show entitled, “The Revolutionary Imprint of Tru,” displayed high fashion from upcoming local designers and choreography to go along with it.
“Very high fashion, fierce walks, attitude, personality and energy on the runway,” is what the audience can look forward to at a Tru model fashion show, said Morriar
With clothing designs from local designers such as Amorette Weeks and custom shoe designs from Leon “Kasso” Andrade, “The Revolutionary Imprint of Tru” was put together to promote one thing: nonviolence.
In between scenes, acts of all sort, came out to help encourage and push the message.
A high school student performed a spoken word piece about Black History Month to display his knowledge to the audience of some of today’s racial issues rooted from the past.
“It’s nice to see the Tru models put on a show to support our community and our youth,” said Tiffany Sanders, former SCSU student and fashion show attendee.
The models displayed their talents and fierce attitudes to show the audience they were on a mission to have an impact as strong as their runway walks.
“We don’t put on shows to compete. We just simply want to be mentors and models on campus and in our community, said Morriar.
The Tru Modeling Troupe made its imprint on the community by walking for a cause and making a difference one runway at a time.
Modeling group gives back with fashion show
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