Recap: Halloween Catwalk 2022
This year’s Halloween Catwalk was an event to remember! With costumes ranging from alluring vampires to Lola Bunny, FAST members and UCLA fashion lovers at large represented the full spectrum of cute to creepy. The runway was situated on UCLA’s Bruin Plaza, a central area where students flock from apartments and dorms to north campus classes; needless to say, there were many onlookers.
The catwalkers’ Halloween looks varied in aesthetic, creating a fascinating contrast in tastes and styles. Kristie, third-year FAST member, spoke about how easy it can be to shop sustainably for Halloween costumes. Dressed as the Queen of Hearts, she recounted, “I bought my black dress at the thrift store, sewed on the little red heart this morning. The boots I had before, and I bought this little heart necklace online.” She continues, “In total, it only cost me 10-15 dollars, really cheap. Halloween weekend is a really big deal at UCLA; a lot of people have multiple costumes. This look is sustainable and budget-friendly. I think it is a really great way to go for a Halloween costume.” Kristie’s consumption conscience approach to Halloween shopping was both praiseworthy and produced fabulous results.
Kristie’s “Queen of Hearts” (Courtesy of Jacob Ursa)
Other FAST members, like co-president Chizaram, displayed an acute understanding of what’s trending and hot. Chizaram cited her recent fashion inspirations as “Bratz girls, Barbie, and Rihanna,” stating that creating an outfit each day is reminiscent of a “whole vision” for her.
FAST encourages self-expression, allowing its members to defy gender norms, in turn creating unique looks. One catwalk model named Leon, a first-year FAST member, recalled their process of purchasing their costume, struggling with gendered clothing restrictions. They stated, “I bought everything individually because it was either only for women and men, and none of the sizes were what I wanted.” Despite this, their Lola Bunny look was well worth the hassle. The supportive nature of FAST carries throughout all of the organization. It helps to build community among the different committees, as well as build friendships that will reach beyond their years here at UCLA. Events like these help people find their confidence and express themselves unapologetically.
FAST helps not only inspire, but according to Leon, give them “the possibility of working as a model.”
Leon’s “Lola Bunny” (Courtesy of Jacob Ursa)
The Halloween Catwalk was full of treats and memories to last the rest of the school year!
