Phi Delta Epsilon’s Anatomy Fashion Show took place Sunday, proving beauty is not only on the outside but also on the inside– or insides. This unique take on a typical runway was to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, all while serving skeleton and modeling muscles.
Pre-med fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon has been hosting the fashion show across multiple chapters for many years. While this is only the second year for the Ohio University chapter, preparations have been nearly a year in the making for the perfect show.
The show featured models painted by student artists to showcase human body systems down the runway for the crowd to observe. In addition, this year had a carnival theme, making the runway even more eventful to watch as body systems conducted ribbon dances and mocked tightrope exercises. To add to the fun, there was an assortment of carnival games and themed snacks to enjoy during the show’s intermission.
Maya Djalali, a senior studying transitional health and applied nutrition, is the vice president of programming at OU’s Phi Delta Epsilon and Olivia Prevost, a senior studying public health, is the vice president of finances. The pair have been working on this year’s fashion show since last December as the two main coordinators. The majority of the work to prepare was reaching out for donations and raffle baskets for their silent auction. In the past two weeks, artists have been busy painting suits to reflect the human body systems accurately for men and women. Sunday, their work paid off in a carnival unlike any other.
Prior to her involvement, Prevost said she was not aware of the work Children's Miracle Network Hospitals did, but now she is excited to join in on that mission.
“I didn't know what Children's Miracle Network Hospitals was prior to being in Phi Delta Epsilon,” she said. “I think being able to share that with others and all the good that they do, and how they can show you exactly where your money is going and things like that I think are really beneficial.”
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the show go toward CMNH and the work that they do. The money they receive from fundraising helps pay for children’s medical treatment, even if they have difficulties affording it and they never refuse any kind of patient. All week, money has been raised for the cause and the Anatomy Fashion Show is their way of ending this week with a bang.
Djalali gave her reasoning for why the show is not only important but also why the event is exciting to put on.
“It's very unique, an anatomy fashion show,” she said. “People would come up to me and they’re like, ‘What is that? How do you do that?’ It's very unconventional I would say.”
Madelyn Schafer, a junior studying biological sciences, was a model for this year’s show. This year, she modeled the cardiovascular system, painted vibrantly with reds and blues surrounding the heart, and also surprised the crowd late in the show, strutting down the runway modeling as a pregnant woman with twins.
“I wanted to be the pregnant lady,” she said, laughing. “Mainly because it's just having twins. It's been my goal my whole life.”
The 23 suits themselves each took approximately five to 10 hours to complete with multiple artists working on each suit for all 11 systems on both female and male bodies, plus the extra pregnant suit. While some systems contain fewer parts than others, all of them are equally as important, made clear by the ringmasters and hosts of the show, who provided facts about each system as they made their way across the stage.
“I definitely think there are some (systems) that feel like they don't look as important, which I think are just as interesting,” said Schafer. “I think it's the endocrine system, it looks like there's very little drawn on but, it's surprising how much it does for your body.”
Prevost and Djalali had a large turnout and ended up raising a total of $2,309. However, their main objective other than raising money was to educate others who were interested in the incredible world that is human anatomy.
“(The show) is for everyone,” said Prevost. “We really tried to spread the message that it's catered to people who are maybe biology or pre-medicine or things like that, but we have things that everyone can do. It's informational, but it's also really fun. And it really is being put on for a good cause.”
Preparations for next year’s fashion show are already in motion, with goals in mind for it to be bigger and better. The committee is already looking to reach out and is willing to talk with anyone who may be interested in the event, whether it is to model, help set up or provide donations.
“There’s really room for everyone,” said Djalali.
