Stoutonia

Issue date: 12/11/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Emily Janssen Bekah Saatzer, senior in Retail Merchandising and Management

The sweet and spicy aroma of hot cider tickled the senses of the audience as Fergie’s voice boomed from the speakers singing about labels or love.  The models gracefully trampled the red carpeted runway that ran outwards from the sliding glass doors of The Niche, the student-run store located in the second floor of the Home Economics Building.  As MC Paul Buchanan called to our attention, “The Niche and its first-ever fashion show is put on for the students, by the students.”

With a ticket for 20 percent off all the Niche merchandise in each hand, the audience ooohed and ahhed over the latest campus fashions and drooled over their featured snack selection.  The Niche runway model, Maren Anderson, was first to hit the extended stage.  She sported a heather-grey, tri-blend top with a hood, a black wool scarf and a silver clutch wallet: simple enough attire for hurrying off to class, chic enough dress for a spontaneous road trip to Uptown.

Chris Grimes, who also walked the runway for the Niche, showed a more masculine side to the merchandise selection.  He struck a few poses in an army-green unisex pullover sweatshirt with an appliqué UW-Stout logo on the front and freshened the room with a few sprits of his favorite product offered by the Niche, the “Poo Pourri” bathroom freshener for only the classiest of the classy.

The ribbed v-neck long sleeve, modeled by Carrie Wu, got quite the round of applause as the crowd stole a glimpse of the angel wings insignia on the backWu paired the shirt with a cream printed pashmina scarf and a charcoal plaid handbag that screamed, “Check me out!”

Speaking of check outs, Becky Heymer, marketing manager at the Niche, was buzzing with excitement after the show as the audience filed into the cozy on-campus boutique decorated for the coming Christmas season.  “Just look at [the line] now!” she exclaimed with sparkling eyes and a great big smile. She had just explained the show crew’s main goal was to generate sales, and it looked as though their mission was, undeniably, accomplished.

According to Heymer, the Niche carries more trendy merchandise, is more affordable and is more intriguing this semester than ever before.  “This year we had the most successful grand opening in the Niche’s existence,” she cheerfully pointed out.   Fresh marketing strategies, selective buyers and dedicated retail merchandising and management students are just a few of the many efforts that are attributed for this semester’s success.  

Those following should be commended on a great event, and for actively being involved in putting on the Niche’s first ever Fashion Show:

Becky Heymer    Marketing Manager
Emele Lozier    Marketing Manager
Joan Tobin    Store Operations Manager
Bekah Saatzer    Apparel Buyer
Ashley Schram    Apparel Buyer
Adel Mekraz    Retail Professor
Sarah Drummer    Graduate Student Assistant

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