Crowds gathered and music filled the air as Master of Ceremonies, Tyler Rich, took the stage at the 17th annual Santa Rosa Junior College fashion show: Wild and Free.

The show began with models showcasing several outfits that had been picked from Santa Rosa Plaza stores Liv and Buckle, then transitioned into apparel designed and created by students in the SRJC Fashion Studies Program.

“It’s part of their job to be able to coordinate fashion with a certain theme and make sure that the clothing fits a certain trend,” said Henry Ruiz, husband of one of the fashion coordinators. “That’s pretty cool because they’re promoting the school program, but at the same time they are helping to create awareness for what’s at the Santa Rosa Mall, and help local business as well.”

The two-unit class gives students the opportunity to plan and produce every aspect of the fashion show including staging, lights, music, modeling and commentary.

“It’s multi-layered,” said fashion studies instructor and show coordinator Robyn Spencer-Crompton. “I have a variety of different committees. There’s promotion, scenery, merchandise, student designers, hair and makeup. Some of the models are in the class but the majority of them are people from across the campus and friends. Our modeling coach Amanda is from Julia Nation Modeling Academy.”

When asked what skills the experience helps students build Rich said that above all it builds confidence, event coordination and stress management skills. “There’s a lot of stress going on in the tent back there,” he said. “You don’t see it. It looks very calm on the stage but there’s a lot going on. You learn to be level headed and get the game done.”