Recap: FAST Gala 2024
In the dimly lit ambiance of the Kerckhoff Grand Salon at UCLA, the FAST Gala once again returned in 2024 for its creative members to enjoy. The historic venue bathed in Dionysian red light set the stage for a night of creative self-expression and avant-garde fashion. The event’s theme— “a twist on black tie”— ended up being a canvas for the unexpected; our FAST members took a typically conventional dress code and transcended it into the unconventional.
While many members leaned in to the traditional aspects of dressing “black tie”— floor length gowns, suits, and standard color palettes— with this foundation the same members seized the opportunity to redefine what “black tie” means. They weaved their own personal stories, cultural backgrounds, and wordplay into what it means to dress formally.
While FAST’s DJs tapped into the crowd’s exhilarated energy spinning music that fit the theme, whispers began circulating about a surprise that was supposed to happen halfway through the gala. This added an extra layer of excitement and mystery to the already charged event.
Amidst that creative, mysterious fever, we engaged with the FAST attendees eager to talk about their outfits for the night. As the Grand Salon transformed into a gothically enchanted wonderland, we began unpacking what it means to be part of such an amazing event.
Upon entering the Grand Salon, it was impossible not to notice the presence of Sarah Koussa, one of the gala’s main coordinators. Amidst the flashes and clicks of the cameras, Koussa was effortlessly running the event in a neck to floor black dress, a twist on black that left only her shoulders revealed. When asked about why FAST hosts an annual gala, Koussa stated that, “The purpose of this event is honestly just to bring members together. It’s kind of like an avant garde luxurious social.”
In an organization that boasts over 200 members, it’s only natural that an event of this caliber would become necessary to unite the 13 different committees that currently make up FAST. As I look around the room, I see it starting to work. By the dark wood stairs leading up to the balcony I overhear a conversation between an editorial member and a journalism member covered in red uplights, at a circular table to my right I see models and executives laughing like old pals, and even those of us conducting interviews were getting out of our comfort zone and speaking to fellow FAST colleagues whom we had no knowledge of before the gala— asking complete strangers to be interviewed about their fashion choices and sparking conversation.
The “Twist on Black Tie” gave FAST members the challenge of a limited palette, in which they were forced to create something free and new from a dress code that was rigid and old. A standout of the night was a vest made entirely of second hand ties, created by FAST member Danny, “So this like vest I made myself. I went and thrifted a bunch of ties and then I pinned them… I got the inspiration for this from actually RuPaul's Drag Race - Nymphia Wind- her design challenge with all the ties, once I saw that theme of like a black tie— like a Twist on Black Tie— I was like okay I want to just yeah something that's a Twist on ties.” The tie forward look was the only one of its kind at the 2024 FAST Gala, and it’s a piece that wont soon be forgotten. Combining different patterns, textiles, and sizes, the drag inspiration was taken from macro to micro, creating a top with immense amounts of character while still fitting into the “Twist on Black Tie” theme for the night.
Switching gears (or should I say twisting turntables?), the role that music plays in fashion at large as well as in FAST could not be forgotten at the gala. FAST member Alice and guest DJ Nina were stationed at the very end of the Grand Salon, their outfits placed in harmony against the silver and black music equipment that they so masterfully manipulated in front of them.
While Alice spun the sound, Nina spoke to us about her outfit inspiration, “For me it's a mix of my personal style, and I wanted to twist the tie so I put a tie on my back.” Simple yet shocking innovations like these are what drove the parade of unique dress for the night. While up close and personal with the speakers, our ears finally started to notice the avant garde nature of the music that was scoring the night, providing the tone for chit chat and chic shows. On the music, Alice told us, “I started DJing last year, we kind of decided on the jazzy-haus-disco vibe for tonight. It’s like the background but we also wanted to dance. In fashion, I’d say there’s lots of different instruments and especially in haus and jazz those two usually express themselves, and I feel like by combining those genres of music it allows people to be free and do whatever they want.” There’s something to be said about DJs being professional vibe curators, and this is perhaps the best example of that. By combining these two genres into an eclectic mix, a twist, if you will, FAST members were welcomed into a room and a theme that encouraged them to take chances early and often. Alice had more surprised up her sleeve than jazzy-haus-disco, though.
The chatter in the room began reaching a fevered pitch when suddenly a long, lengthy space abruptly cleared out near the staircase and members were encouraged to draw their attention. A spotlight swiftly illuminated the top of the gothic staircase; this signaled the beginning of the “surprise” that members had been curiously intrigued by.
The FAST 2024 Runway Show was being previewed in an exclusive, intimate event for all members to witness.
Models began lining up out of public view, where they changed out of their “twist on black tie” formalwear to their respective designers’ visionary outfits. They were ready to give their fellow club members a foretaste of the skilled work our designers are prepping to show off later this year on the runway.
Melancholy classical music began playing, with mystery and intrigue, it was a scene more reminiscent of a runway show in the middle of the Duomo of Milan. The models started their journey around the salon, maintaining their composure as each step was echoed with coos of gasps and camera shutters flickering.
The looks began with abstract silhouettes, only adding to the mystery of the gothic atmosphere. Notably, a model emerged from the staircase in a dress fully constructed with materials more familiar to that of a ballerina— down to the pointe shoes. The body of the model’s skirt was elegant, yet so fascinating, since the sturdy construction of the skirt’s frame was made out of pointe shoes and the drape of the skirt was delicate ballet laces.
The enchanting mystery continued to unfold; a model descended from the staircase adorned in a dress made of only playing cards. A nod to a storybook fantasy, the dress continued to play into tonight’s theme of fantastical innovation and thrill.
Another notable look was a model donning a dress with a wide bustle, reminiscent of a regal, Victorian-era attire that was suitable for no one less than a queen. With unconventional areas left exposed, this dress seemed as if it was a reclamation of the restrictive conservatism of times past, combined with the long-unseen boning and bodice of a bustled dress.
Next, a model adorned in a shirt made of a chainmail of armor appeared. However, this visually metal chainmail top was actually composed of seashells. With the stoicism and regality of a knight in chainmail armor, the runway continued to be graced as a fantastical wonderland of historically royal silhouettes combined with modern fantasy. Next, shirts adorned with patron saints, and models with head coverings that leaned into the iconic 1315 painting of Madonna and Child continued to speak to the mysterious, fairytale-like wonder of the night’s gala.
The enchanted, gothic, royal masquerade came to a close but do not yet fear— the 2024 FAST Runway Show is soon to come near the end of spring quarter. There, the talented designers that created these seductively fantastical looks will display even more of their hard work they’ve been pioneering throughout the year. We’re excited to learn more from the designers as to what the true meanings are behind these designs, but for now, we can certainly say the 2024 FAST Gala left us feeling as if we were in Alice in Wonderland— observers of a visual symphony of intricate storytelling, alluring fantasy, and gothic, sexy mystery.
Photos by Kevin Salgado (@kw000rld), Camille White (@camille_sarra_), Amber Zheng (@amberzphoto), Emma Swindell (@emma.alexandriaa), Oura Miyazaki (@omiyaz), Alexia Saigh (@asaighphotography), and Julian Hamilton (@jj_hammy_)