Inside Fashion Et Cetera’s Valentine’s Day Fashion Show

Even before Kathryn Kurt’s ‘23 “love affair with fashion” kicked off, Carpool, the band of Dartmouth ‘25s, began to rock Collis Common Ground. While I was vibing to the music, other attendees retrieved Valentine’s-Day-themed Pasteque LaCroix and assorted chocolate goodies from the long table near the fireplace. 

The stage for the band connected to a raised black platform extending toward the fireplace: this would function as a makeshift catwalk for the exquisitely-dressed models. As I began to take notes, several photographers with fancy DSLRs circulated about the room, determining the best angles and lighting to capture the beauty of the performers. The audience was largely underdressed for the occasion. Clearly, not everyone had as keen an interest in their own style as they had an abundance of free time and dearth of romantic pursuits—I am guilty on all accounts. 

The scent of rose petals was pungent shortly before showtime, at 8:03 PM. The origin of this perfume I couldn’t identify and I hope that I am not describing the scent of one of my fellow onlookers. Much to my chagrin, there was a conspicuous lack of pink in the audience, despite the holiday. I had to remove my black long coat and gray Burberry scarf to reveal my pink sweater—someone had to pick up the slack. 

Carpool’s selection of songs consisted of “Just the Way You Are”, “Still into You”, “Misery, Everybody Talks”, “Classic, Entertain Us”, “Deceptacon”, and “Need You Now”. Before the music began, Kathryn Kurt, the President of Fashion Et Cetera, emerged to welcome and thank the audience for making it to her show. In total, 13 models appeared on the runway twice. On their first walk, the models were dressed in Grecian tunics, togas, blouses, dresses, and other long, flowing clothes accented by gold arm bands, garlands, and shawls breaking up the monotony of white and gold with tasteful pops of color. On their second pass, the models wore much more contemporary, form-fitting black outfits. 

The show seemed to go off without a hitch; the band rocked (and rolled); and the models won much applause, cheers, and hoots and hollers of approbation from the crowd. I found it a little awkward for the band to stop between songs and tune/test while models were actively walking the runway. In my humble opinion, Fashion Et Cetera should have held the models back during these brief liminal periods. The lead singer, Adriana James-Rodil ‘25, demonstrated her exceptional vocal range and exhibited a powerful stage presence. The rest of the bands’ musicians, Evan Kaye ‘25 (drums), Claire O’Shaughnessy ‘25 (rhythm guitar and vocals), Elaine Chi (lead guitar), Betul Koc ‘25 (bass), and Daniel Dong ‘25 (keyboard), demonstrated their musical prowess individually and jointly. The band’s members all played expertly in terms of tone, rhythm, etc. I don’t know how better to describe the quality of their sound because I’m not a music critic—tough break. The long and short of it is that Carpool was an absolutely wonderful complement to the show’s models. The show itself ended too soon, rather unceremoniously, at 8:30 PM. At which point Kathryn emerged for a final time to invite audience members to follow on IG and wished us all a Happy Valentine’s Day. 

The band members, clearly enjoying themselves and their sick performance, hung around even after 70-80% of the attendees had cleared out. As I moved closer, not much was audible besides the thick bass, tight drums, and the occasional guitar riff. Carpool was kind enough to let me interview them even after I clarified that I was reporting for The Review and not The Dartmouth. As I sheepishly lingered near the stage, the band played an excellent rendition of Cloud 9 as an encore which, to be honest, almost made me cry. Luckily, after a little bit of cajoling and charming negotiation, Carpool assented to play a more upbeat rock song. Much to my delight (and I was just about the only person left at this point), they finished the night with I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth. 

I can say two things with certainty: I will attend Fashion Et Cetera’s next show and I am now a Carpool groupie.