On the night of Feb. 9, residents of Earth were transported to Planet Chic, the home of out-of-this world designs presented by The Chic Daily, a student-run fashion publication based on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.
“Planet Chic: A Cosmic Fashion Show,” which took place in the A.E. Building in Civic Space Park, saw the attendance of over one hundred students and local community members who were able to experience out-of-this-world creativity from ASU Downtown fashion and journalism students. From the metallic, shimmering decor, to the extraterrestrial-inspired designs, Planet Chic was a moment on campus that seemed to take the audience somewhere otherworldly.
Part of the proceeds from ticket sales at Planet Chic will be going to A Human Mission, a national non-profit organization that focuses on providing clothing to children in need. The sold-out show raised around $2,000 for the organization. The show was also sponsored by organizations such as Liquid Death and Poshmark, with merchandise like totes, water bottles, and jewelry made available to buy at the show.
Meet some of the designers, vendors, and creators involved in creating the cosmic world of Planet Chic
Sabrina Miller
Sabrina Miller is a junior at Perry High School and founder of Sabrina Marie Designs, a fashion brand Miller started her freshman year. Sabrina Marie Designs focuses on encouraging individuals to express themselves through clothing.
Each designer featured several models who showcased a collection encompassing their theme. For Miller, self-expression was told through both subtle and striking details within each outfit. In addition, some models ended their walk on the runway with a number of explicit emotions.
“I believe that it’s important for you to feel comfortable in the clothes you’re wearing and for you to feel represented,” Miller said.
Elyse Rivera: Designer
While Miller’s collection centers on self-expression,Rivera’s works are a way to advocate against fast fashion and for more sustainable clothing.
“I think the main issue with our fashion business right now is fast fashion,” Rivera said. “There are just so many good pieces still in rotation, (and) I don’t think any clothing deserves to go to a landfill.”
Much of Rivera’s collection showcased models with a diverse set of clothing and hairstyles, alongside various kinds of clothing all made from recycled material. Rivera’s own outfit displays more than 30 watches strung across her chest and wrists.
10% of annual global carbon emissions come from the fashion industry, with the production of clothing produced today having doubled since the year 2000.
“Consumers (are) buying 60% more clothes today, but only wearing them for half as long,” according to CNN Style.
Elena Marshall: Designer
Elena Marshall, who presented her denim collection at Planet Chic, is also a champion of fighting for sustainable fashion. Marshall’s advocacy efforts against fast fashion began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she began sewing clothes using anything she could find. One of her favorite creations was a ballgown she made from an old bed sheet she found at Goodwill, the dress she was supposed to wear to prom before it was canceled.
“I bought that and challenged myself to really upcycle and to turn it into something new,” Marshall said.
Having showcased her work in a plethora of fashion shows since March 2023, Marshall has learned that designers should never be afraid to showcase their creativity.
“For a while, I was so nervous about that,” Marshall said. “Then I started showcasing my work and all these amazing people have reached out and said such nice things about my work. It has honestly motivated me to keep going more than anything.”
Giegie Hannah: Vendor
Several vendors set up shop at the entrance of the show, excited for the opportunity to sell their work to all attendees at Planet Chic. Giegie Hannah, owner of Giegie Consignment Company, first discovered his interest in fashion working as a store manager in retail and wanted to take his passion to the next level. This inspired the creation of Giegie Consignment Co. in 2022, where Hannah started selling clothes out of best his friend’s garage, a space they both shared to start growing their businesses.
“A lot of people know about Hot Topic – (it) started inside of a garage. That’s where my inspiration came from,” Hannah said.
As Giegie Consignment grew, Hannah started selling products online. Still, Hannah aimed to sell as much as possible through in-person opportunities, making active efforts to find any markets he could profit in.
“There weren’t too many LGBT sellers at the time, so I figured, why not give somebody an outlet who’s similar to me,” Hannah said. “I took pieces from my closet; I took pieces that I would find, and then I just projected (them out into) the world.”
When Hannah saw the flier for Planet Chic on his Instagram feed, he applied immediately. Shortly after, Hannah was accepted to sell alongside several other vendors at the show, an opportunity Hannah felt extremely excited about.
“I didn’t even know how to act honestly. I just knew that this was my moment,” Hannah said. “I’m a very spiritual person, so to see that is (my business) leaping forward and becoming more of a success (in) my life.”
Both fans of fashion, and those experiencing a show for the very first time, surely walked away with an open mind for their next extraterrestrial encounter. From the creativity of the student designers to the unearthly ambience of the venue, The Chic Daily took the students of the ASU downtown campus to another world.
Check out current and upcoming collections from Miller, Rivera and Marshall on their websites.
Browse products offered by Giegie Co. here.
Find out the latest content coming from The Chic Daily here.
Edited by Larisa May, Shi Bradley.
