The American Dream Re:Fashioned
- Lucy Fries
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
By Lucy Fries, Staff Writer Edited by Grace Stecher, Editorial Director
By the book, The American Dream can be defined as “the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.” By the Fashion and Design Society (FADS) at Syracuse University, the phrase means something so much more. Something that can’t be confined and solely interpreted by one Oxford English Dictionary definition. FADS at Syracuse University is a fashion collective and creative network agency. Diverse and career-minded individuals who share a passion for creativity, design, and fashion are able to come together and gain real experience in an open-minded environment. On November 15th, FADS hosted their American Dream Re:Fashioned fall runway show in the Goldstein Auditorium in Schine. Showcasing their creative abilities, designers were told to reimagine what the American Dream means to them.
The show began with dim lighting. Fog filled the stage as it moved through unfinished walls of wooden beams covered in graffiti and road signs. The edgy and urban yet simplistic atmosphere differed from the initial mental image that one may visualize as the American Dream. FADS Vice President Grace Kentrotas shared that this approach was intentional. “Street signs covered in graffiti were maybe not something someone attending a fashion show about refashioning the American Dream would have expected to see, and that assisted us in presenting the element of surprise that could be found in our designers’ work,” said Kentrotas.
Traditionally, the idea of the American Dream may evoke images of American flags, white-collar shirts, and picket fences. While those thoughts and images may still feel like they best describe the concept to some, members of FADS challenged themselves and audience members to look at the concept through a different lens: not just one perspective, but a multitude.
As the models filled the stage, pieces ranged from elegant gowns, ripped button-downs, and a Statue of Liberty-inspired look to stylish construction wear, painted eyes on a corset, and fuzzy socks in heels. Others integrated the power of words with suitcases reading “Blood, Sweat, Tears” accompanied by ripped polo shirts. Another look read “Statue of Capitalism” draped across a skirt made of $100 bills. The diverse range of styles, paired with the wide assortment of music, like “This is America” by Childish Gambino and classic American tunes like “O Say Can You See,” left the audience wondering what look would strike next.
What may at first have seemed like a narrow theme was instead utilized to tell a plethora of stories, experiences, and perspectives. “It was just a way for people to express what the American Dream is to them, what it is in regards to their race or their ethnicity, or their religion, or anything of the sort,” said Jada Williams, President of FADS. “We just wanted people to put their all into their designs and showcase that passion that they have and what the American Dream really is to them.”
Not only did FADS strive to let their designers freely express themselves through their pieces, they also let them express themselves through the music their models walked to, from “American Requiem” by Beyonce to “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar. “We kind of had them sit and listen to the song, and we had them just say, ‘Where do you feel like you need to go?’” said Williams. “Because music speaks volumes when it comes to fashion. Whenever they heard the song that they felt attracted to their garment most, we had them solidify that, and then we worked around it.”
The looks showcased a variety of fabrics, materials, styles, and makeup, some contrasting, some alike, but all working towards one goal: telling a story. Everyone’s story is different, highlighting the beauty in the process and allowing each individual's interests, pasts, and theme interpretation to shine through their creations. “I wouldn’t say I had the easiest upbringing,” shared Dalia Scolnick, the fashion director for FADS. “I definitely showcase everything I feel within my work, which is why it comes off in a little bit of a creepy way, and I want you to look at it and be like, ‘What is that? What's going on?’” Scolnick’s piece incorporated pieces of metal and zip ties that surrounded her body over a black mini tube dress.
Additionally, Kentrotas noted that her interpretation of the American Dream isn’t something that has always stayed constant throughout her life. “It was easy for me to believe in when I was younger, with a background of immigration in my own family, and always being reminded of the work it’s taken them to build the life I now have,” said Kentrotas. “However, in simply getting older and seeing the country go through its current changes, I’ve seen that the American Dream in its traditional sense is something often only accessible to a lucky few.”
Members also emphasized beauty in all aspects of the design and show production process. Although everyone's looks were constructed uniquely through different interpretations, they came together to speak a larger idea: that there isn’t always just one message. Williams remarked that the difficult parts of the show weren’t necessarily negative, but rather what made the experience meaningful. “I feel like the worst part of this was no parts, because all the bad parts were really good, and they were a learning lesson. It showcased that we all come together as a team.” Kentrotas added to this idea, stating, “So much time and energy goes into preparing for the show, and no matter how organized we are, we can never be truly prepared for the chaos of a show day, but getting to work with this team of driven and creative individuals makes it such a rewarding process with an even more rewarding result.”
Members came together as a team to execute the show, and united their individual stories to speak magnitudes through their work. “It was so inspiring to see all the different interpretations our designers had of the American Dream, whether they were embracing it, challenging it, or completely reinventing it for themselves,” said Kentrotas. “It showed me that the American Dream means something different for everyone, and though it is a concept that many have a complicated relationship with, that is part of its beauty.”
Not only did FADS construct a show that was immersive, rich in creativity, and undeniably captivating, but they were able to take a project built on individual interpretation and use it to demonstrate how our unique perspectives unite us.
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