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Panic filled the area backstage in the Carbondale Civic Center. With a fashion show scheduled to start at 7 p.m., nearly all models arrived late or not at all. Meanwhile, audience members slowly trickled through the door. When the show finally started 40 minutes later, fewer than 50 spectators showed up, leaving more 300 chairs empty. But that wouldn't stop Sarah McGuire. McGuire, a junior from Rockford studying pre-med, debuted her work in "Da Bomb" fashion show Friday night. "In eighth grade we had to make up a business, (and) I wanted to do a fashion line called Da Bomb," McGuire said. "I'd forgotten about it, but it just came back to me." The show included three scenes including jeans, hoodies and casual wear, with rappers performing between each scene. The casual scene was the only one that featured original garments, two puffy skirts. The rest was store-bought apparel that she hand-painted designs on. "Next time I have a fashion show everything will probably original," McGuire said After the show, the changing room turned into a makeshift store. The clothes that were modeled were for sale after the show. A friend of McGuire's, Johanna Wiley set up her jewelry. Wiley, a senior from Belleville studying university studies, said she had no expectation for sales because her jewelry was so different. The jewelry was mostly earrings with either leopard print or colorful backgrounds topped with big jewels. "It's not what people in Carbondale are used to seeing," Wiley said It took three weeks and about $1,000 to produce the show, McGuire said. She said she plans to do it again in the fall. McGuire said she was initially disappointed with the turnout but because it was her first show but she said she was happy with what she had.

Jakina Hill can be reached at 536-3311 ext 273 or jhill@siu.edu.

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