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Paint color samples, duct tape and old T-shirts: They're not the typical materials featured in a fashion show. But º£½ÇÔ­´´ fashion design students will utilize these and more to construct outfits for Building Fashion 2011, hosted by º£½ÇÔ­´´ Habitat for Humanity, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The fashion show is one of º£½ÇÔ­´´ Habitat for Humanity's largest fundraisers, with all proceeds donated to Portage County Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer designers from º£½ÇÔ­´´'s School of Fashion Design and Merchandising are asked to create garments made from common construction and building materials, such as construction tape and roof shingles. A panel of judges then chooses the winning designer. "Building Fashion is an awesome way for participants to express themselves in a creative way with different materials, all while making a difference in their own community," says Jackson McGreevy, co-president of º£½ÇÔ­´´ Habitat for Humanity and junior aeronautical studies major from Lakewood. Last year's inaugural show raised more than $1,200 and this year, the show's organizers are hoping for an even larger dollar amount. "We've been working hard to make our second year better than the first," says Ryan Carr, co-president of º£½ÇÔ­´´ Habitat for Humanity and junior aeronautical systems engineering major from Pittsburgh. "We want to raise money, but also raise awareness for our organization and show people how they can get involved." º£½ÇÔ­´´ Habitat for Humanity functions as a support organization to Portage County Habitat for Humanity. The organization provides volunteers, hosts fundraisers and works to advocate and educate students on campus. "Many students aren't aware that homelessness is a big problem in Portage County," McGreevy says. "Many of the events we do throughout the course of the year are to raise awareness about this problem that's happening close to home." Building Fashion 2011 is bringing many students together to support Habitat for Humanity. Abby Gelsomino, a junior fashion design major from Lakewood, is volunteering this year as a designer for the first time. "I volunteered to participate in the Habitat for Humanity fashion show because it is a way for me to use my specific talents towards a great organization," Gelsomino says. "The show is an awesome way to get other people on campus involved. If people aren't in it, they can come and watch, and it should be a great night." Tickets for the fashion show are $5, and can be purchased from April 4–8 in the Kent Student Center and at the door on April 9. For more information about Building Fashion 2011, email jmcgree2@kent.edu By Sarah Lack Posted April 4, 2011