On Friday, November 15, the University of Georgia’s Fashion Design Student Association (FDSA) presented its annual fashion show, “Roadside Attractions: Phenomena of Funhouse,” at The Venue at Aberdeen in Statham, Georgia. The event featured an exciting blend of live music, a hotdog stand, snacks for attendees, and an outdoor seating area lit by glowing lights and a chandelier.
The show spotlighted 47 student models, each showcasing distinctive outfits inspired by circus, carnival, and roadside themes. The opening look was a classic ringmaster costume, followed by a woman in an all-white dress, and more avant-garde styles inspired by the funhouse atmosphere. Models walked the runway to live music, making two rounds before returning for a third walk alongside their designers. The audience cheered as participants celebrated with friends and family afterward.
Jenna Richards, a fashion merchandising student and executive production assistant for FDSA, marked her fourth show with “Roadside Attractions.” Richards, who has been passionate about fashion since childhood, gained further inspiration through her high school visual arts studies. She draws much of her creative energy from platforms like Pinterest.
“The circus celebrates what’s uniquely different and beautiful in its own self, which mirrors our fashion sense and the expression of individuality,” Richards explained. “We get to express what’s unique to us—whether it’s our style, preferences, or what we think is cool, even if it’s unusual to others.”
Richards also set a personal challenge this semester, creating three garments in one month, which included learning to make a corset. The collaboration between designers, models, and makeup artists during sewing lab hours offered her opportunities to teach and learn new skills.
“Fashion, like education, is an ongoing learning process,” Richards said. “There’s always something new.”
Kanan Parikh, a junior advertising student at UGA, attended the show as a vendor. Parikh, who displayed vintage and secondhand pieces at the event, also sells her clothes on Instagram. She was excited to see the talent showcased and hoped the show would inspire others to get involved with the FDSA or other creative clubs on campus.
“I think events like this inspire people to dive deeper into fashion or spark their creative side,” Parikh said. “The first fashion show I attended at UGA inspired me to pursue a major in fashion and join campus fashion events.”
Ali Hasan, a computer science graduate student at Georgia State University, attended the show to support a friend. He was impressed by the community feel of the event, noting that he hadn’t encountered similar shows at other universities.
“‘Roadside Attractions’ brings UGA students and the Athens community together,” Hasan said. “It also gives students a chance to explore their passions and perhaps consider pursuing fashion more seriously.”
Richards noted that FDSA has grown significantly and that “Roadside Attractions” was one of the largest shows the organization has hosted. She hopes the growing talent pool will bring more recognition to the UGA fashion program.
“I’d love to see the program get more recognition, more students, and larger classes,” she said. “There’s so much talent here, and it deserves more attention.”
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