Students collaborate, display talents with fashion show

The event, titled the Fun and Functional Fashion Show, introduced a special collection of clothing for young women with physical disabilities. The event was conceptualized by Patty Coker–Bolt, Ph.D., OT, an associate professor in MUSC's Division of Occupational Therapy. The inspiration came from the University of Delaware, which was doing a similar project with students in the physical therapy education and fashion design programs.

Coker–Bolt and Caroline Baker, a School of the Arts costume and fashion design faculty member, decided to work together on some adaptive clothing for Coker–Bolt’s patients and organize the fashion show to present the students’ fashions.

Coker–Bolt decided that two of her longtime patients would be the perfect candidates to take part in the fashion show. Coker–Bolt said Jaelah Johnson and Marlayah Legare are capable and talented young ladies, despite the physical challenges they deal with. “Both are bright and sweet young girls who have received occupational and physical therapy services for most of their lives,” she said.

Jaelah was born with brachial plexus palsy, a condition where signals cannot travel as usual from the brain to the arm muscles due to nerve damage. This particular palsy affected Jaelah’s left hand and arm, which is shorter than her right arm.

Marlayah was born with arthrogryposis, meaning that her muscles and joints do not function properly due to lack of strength. Her condition does not allow her the ability to walk. According to Marlayah, “Growing up, I was always surrounded by great people. I had a mother and father who cared so much for me.”

Through presentations, the OT students were educated about the physical limitations Jaelah and Marlayah experience. They concluded that the clothing had to be constructed in a particular way so as to make it easier for the patients to get dressed. Soon, they connected with SOA students, and together they discussed designs that would serve as the best clothing match for the models.

This was exactly the kind of project the SOA costume and design students were prepared for. Students at SOA are exposed to intensive instruction in one of eight art majors. The costume and fashion design track was added to the visual arts major in 2014, and students from ninth through twelfth grade receive instruction on how to design and create fashionable clothing.

Baker, who is also the designer and owner of the Maude Couture Company, mentors and works directly with the students. She brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that she imparts to them.

“My students are amazing. They go through a rigorous audition process to get into the program, and once chosen, they work their tails off to keep a grade of 85 or above to remain in the major. I started off as a volunteer here, fell in love with the school and kids, as I knew I was meant to be here to help these incredible kids reach their goals,” she said.

Baker had her 12 freshmen students focusing on the design of the clothing, brainstorming ideas and problem-solving. Her 11 sophomore and junior students assisted by working with the models, Jaelah and Marlayah, and collaborating with the freshmen students to produce the final design concepts and sew the clothing that would be featured.

The students designed some inventive clothing. Their main focus, however, was to make sure these clothes would fit the models. They could not wait to see the models in the designs that would express their individual styles and personalities.

This is where math and problem-solving skills involved with sewing came into the equation, as the students modified the clothing patterns and sizes to accommodate the models. Baker explained the skill set students must possess to be successful. “They have to be very good at drawing and sewing, be visual and learn how to problem solve on making the clothing fit.”

The event went off without a hitch, and Coker–Bolt was thrilled with the outcome. “The skill sets of the OT and SOA students most certainly brought this wonderful event to a successful conclusion. I could not be more proud of the efforts they made and how much they learned. We are already looking forward to another successful collaboration.”

Planning will begin very soon for next year’s Fun and Functional Fashion Show, and the students hope it will be even more exciting and fun filled.

Eleanore Fish, one of the students who helped with the fashion show, said, “It’s really fun and exciting to see your garments on people, whether it’s going down the runway at our fashion show or on the streets. I also really enjoyed being able to help Marlayah and Jaelah with their special clothing orders.”

Marlayah, a sophomore at the College of Charleston, enjoyed participating in the event. She plans to become  a pediatrician and a spokesperson for people with disabilities. She has a very positive outlook on life, saying, “Life is what you make it, so why not make it beautiful.”