Fugedabout “Project Runway” — there’s a new kid on the block, and he doesn’t even like the show!
Matthew Bruch, a fashion sophomore at Pratt Institute, stitched away any delusions of small-screen grandeur when he organized a fashion extravaganza showcasing the aesthetics of more than two dozen students from the Fashion Society at the Clinton Hill campus on Willoughby Avenue, between Classon Avenue and Hall Street in Clinton Hill, where the “Backstage Pass” themed event raised money for the Kristin Brooks Hope Center for suicide prevention.
Bruch, a 20-year-old who lives in the neighborhood, also exhibited his own resort wear, focusing on the drape and structure of the cowl trend, and featuring sequinned and satin separates, plus dresses.
“It was dressy, but not evening wear,” said Bruch who spent three months coordinating the benefit with fashion sophomores Ruby Gertz and Kate Wilkoff.
The eye candy ran the gamut from sportswear to bridal — even pieces inspired by David Bowie — he says, adding that the excitement of watching models walk the runway in clothing you’ve created is unmatched: “It’s nerve-wracking at first, but once they start walking, you feel like a parent sending your kid off to college.”
The designer noted that the show was “a great way” for students to get their first experience with a fashion showing, and learn all of the aspects that go into putting it together.
Bruch may be sew not into “Fashion Runway,” but that hasn’t detracted some of Pratt’s Fashion students making the cut on the hit reality TV show: Alumnae Nora Caliguri and Pamela Ptak competed in Season 1 and 7, respectively, while former student Daniel Feld was a contestant in Season 5.
