Female models show it off - and try not to take a tumble

Junior business advertising and fashion double"I feel like this is definitely going to give every
major Hannah Armstrong said that she doesn'tmodel - and everyone in the audience - a lot
want to be that model who trips off the runway.more attitude and have more excitement.
"I'm really nervous for the actual show justBehring’s mother and grandmother will be
because there's going to be a lot of people, andthere tonight to watch her strut down the
I'm not usually someone who likes to be in frontcatwalk, like they have every year, and she
of a lot of people, but I think it will be more funhopes that they and the audience will enjoy it.
than speaking in front of people," Armstrong said."I just really hope that everyone is pleased with it
Fellow model and junior marketing major Katyaand that they're excited and want to go next
Horoszko echoes her sentiments.year because I think it's a great thing that our
"I'll probably just focus on trying not tomajor can offer, because I feel like our major
acknowledge other people that are watching, atgets the shaft a lot."
least while I'm out there," Horoszko said. "Or elseHoroszko, who lived in Russia until she was 12
I'll get nervous. I know once it gets down toyears old, has had some experience in the
walking out on the catwalk I know I'll get reallymodeling industry.
nervous. I think my biggest fear is walking faster"Well, it's actually interesting because I modeled a
than what I'm supposed to.little bit before in high school, but I never really
"When I practice, I just stare at the wall, and Iwanted to do anything professionally because I
just try to not look at anybody and not laugh.like to eat way too much," said Horoszko, before
And I know that the songs are kind ofgiggling. "(The FMDS show) is interesting -
fast-paced, and I kind of want to listen to thesomething little, something fun, takes away from
song and go to the beat, but I know that I haveyour day."
to say, 'slow down, slow down' in my head, soShe recently strutted the catwalk for the 16
I'm trying to completely not listen to the musicBlocks fashion show and remembers how her
and slow my walk down and look at the wall."heels kept slipping off awkwardly as she was
Los Angeles designer Kid Dangerous is flying intowalking in a gown; fortunately, she was able to
Blacksburg to watch his collection on collegiateswitch shoes with another model and continued
models, which adds to the intimidation factor.on with her other garments.
"I feel like you really need to impress him becauseBoth models enjoy the pieces that they'll be
he did fly all the way here for it, and you don'twearing during their walks along the U-shaped,
want to mess up," Armstrong said.92-foot long runway.
Senior fashion merchandising major Sasha Behring,"I love my garments; they're great," Horoszko
who will begin the show and be the first model tosaid, who will be sporting a navy gown with a low
walk the runway feels the pressure to start theback, another blue dress, and neutral colored
show off on the right foot.pants with a blazer with brown plaid cuffs. "I really
"Being the first of what everyone sees, you wantlike the nightgown actually because I would wear
it to be good, you want it to be perfect," Behringthat actually somewhere out, and then I really
said. "I just don't want to mess up. I feel like ifliked the blazer, too. It's definitely something that I
you mess up first, people are more aware of it."would wear everyday or even just out and dress
When she's walking, she said that she just looksit up if I wanted to."
straight ahead and focuses on the outfit andHoroszko has noticed a distinct difference in the
makes sure that she shows off the garment asway that Americans and Europeans dress
much as possible - while trying not to slip and fall.themselves.
Behring, who has been a model in every fashion"In Russia, women love to wear as little clothing
show since she was a freshman and was the firstas possible. I know, for example, you'll go out and
model to walk last year, thinks that this year'ssee all these girls, everyone's wearing big, huge
show has taken to a new level.fur coats, like hats, and you'll come to a club, and
"It gives us a lot of attitude. Previous years, I'veeveryone is dressed up. It's very open there.
liked the scene but it seemed a lot more calmer,People aren't really afraid to wear whatever they
just not like out there," said Behring, whosewant to wear, so it's a little more risqué, and
mother enrolled her in what she called a preppeople always dress up wherever they go, even
school for modeling and acting when she was 12.grocery shopping.