High fashion will come to the Gargoyle tonight when the Washington University Marketing Association hosts a fashion show featuring the latest styles in urban wear and lingerie.
The show will feature designs from the store Exquisite Footwear and Fashion, which is owned by Tim Jabbar and carries skater boy and hip-hop styles from brands such as Apple Bottoms, Baby Phat, Rocawear, Timberland, Steve Madden, Diesel and Sketchers.
“We’ll be throwing out the winter and holiday lines from various companies,” said Jabbar. “Be ready for a showstopper.”
‘The fun side of marketing’
Rafi Dikranian, a senior and president of the Marketing Association, came up with the idea for the fashion show after collaborating on some marketing work with Jabbar.
“This club is about showing the fun side of marketing,” he says, adding that he thought “it would be interesting for the Wash. U. student body to experience the urban side of fashion.”
Admission to the fashion show is $2, including free food and drinks. Alcoholic beverages will be served for those of age.
The doors open at 7 p.m., and at 7:30 p.m., the Wash. U. Step Team will open the show. An upscale lingerie show will precede the main event. Area musicians will perform during the interludes.
After the completion of the show, the audience may have the chance to mingle with the models and meet Jabbar.
Basement Beats, who has worked with Nelly, is bringing all of the musicians to the show.
A Collaborative Effort
Jabbar, who has put on fashion shows at clubs, high schools and other universities, thought working with the marketing association would be a good way to promote his store.
“A lot of people have heard about [the store], but they don’t know what we carry,” said Jabbar, whose store carries clothing geared for the 18-34 demographic.
Jabbar majored in marketing. But because of his strong interest in fashion, he decided to open a store, which he said was extremely difficult.
“I didn’t have a connection to any vendors, and I didn’t have great credit,” said Jabbar.
His first store, which he opened in 2001 and just sold footwear and “had literally thirty pairs of shoes” in the entire place.
He later bought a furniture store and began selling clothing. Today, Jabbar owns five stores, two of which are dedicated to selling only shoes.
Aaron Yu, a member of the Marketing Association, said the fashion show will also benefit the University.
“The company will be promoted, and we get to learn the business aspects of it,” he said. ” It’s a win-win situation.”