EKU designer debuts her line of men’s shirts at Fusion Gallery

Saturday night at Fusion Gallery, EKU Apparel Design and Merchandising student Krista Elvena Duren presented her line of men’s dress shirts in her first ever fashion show.
“I’ve done some other collections in class, but nothing I’ve ever shown to the public,”said Duren.
Before the shirts hit the runway, Duren and her father unveiled their collection of wooden bow ties that they collaborated on.
These bow ties were carved out with different patterns and saying like “My old Kentucky home.” They come in a variety of sizes for the preference of the wearer. Although a wooden bow tie is not exactly what a man thinks his closet is missing, these seemed not only conceptual, but wearable.
The fashion show was in the back room of Fusion gallery with paintings lining the walls and wooden benches circling the room for viewers to sit back and enjoy the show. Show attendees were told of the show opening by hearing music increase and seeing a male model walk into the room to the beat of the music.
Each model that Duren hand selected looked completely unique from the next, showing a wide target market.
After the bow ties were presented there was a brief intermission before the main collection was shown.
The collection of eight men’s dress shirts (including one toddle shirt) came together in less than two months after Duren saw a hole in the local menswear industry.
“Some times there’s not enough creativity in menswear,” said Duren.
Another motivation to create these pieces? “I love men in bow ties.”
Assisting her with the show was mentor and local fashion designer Soreyda Benedit-Begley.
“I have seen her just bloom in the past five months and I can only expect to see her become one of the greatest American designers,” said Benedit-Begley.
When looking for an internship, Duren landed upon Benedit-Begley and has since had her eyes opened to the expansive fashion community in Lexington, and is now looking forward to getting involved in everything she can.
Her mentor said that “she is a very driven person and is not afraid of hard work at all.”
Duren’s work can be around at Made KY and will soon be places on Etsy.