As soon as you walk into bright, lively F-130, the chic atmosphere inspires you. Stashed with fashion magazines and decorated with many students’ creative projects, the classroom is home to Clothing, Textiles, and Apparel Merchandising class.

One of the twelve Family Consumer Science classes offered here at North Penn High School, this class allows students to explore the world of fashion and create their own masterpieces.  An advanced class is available for students who have already completed this first course and wish to continue studying fashion.

Students in these classes learn in an enthusiastic and united group, getting to add their own personal style to their creations. Throughout the year, students create their own tote bag and a garment for the famed fashion show, as well as participating in an urban renewal project, transforming something old into something “new and fabulous,” in the words of teacher Mrs. Townsend. Other activities include learning how to sew, reading patterns, purchasing materials, learning symbols, and problem solving.

“It’s such a well rounded course,” says Townsend. “You get to meet so many different people; it’s so diverse, with many different viewpoints. That’s what I love about it.”

Townsend also explains how much work is put into preparing for the fashion show, starting with creating the theme. This year’s theme involves the elements of fashion and design: fire, water, earth, and air. More than three months alone are dedicated just to organizing the event. It is much more than just the clothes–music, lights, and everything else that creates the fashion show motivates the teachers to work extra hard at school–and even nights, as well.

“We go crazy preparing,” says Townsend. “We try to focus on our target audience, the students, and making it exciting and appealing.”

NMTCC students, Styles Unlimited, and About Face all contribute to the show by doing hair and make-up for the participants.

As for what to expect for this year’s fashion show on March 1, Mrs. Townsend and fellow students have only two words: brace yourselves.

“It’s going to be the best show ever,” says Townsend.

If Clothing, Textiles, and Apparel Merchandising is not enough fashion fun, North Penn also has the Fashion Forward club.

President Jovania Maldonado says that the club spends time talking about fashion and understanding fashion icons. Every month they make a slideshow dedicated to a fashion icon–for example, this month Vera Wang is highlighted. A typical meeting involves starting off with an icebreaker, and then a special activity such as making headbands.

If you’d like to get involved, stop by the next Fashion Forward meeting, and get ready for this year’s fashion show–coming March 1.