A typically quiet, empty warehouse in downtown Ames was transformed into a full-fledged fashion show venue this weekend.

*Z Town, an event sponsored by alternative clothing store *Zushy, 2406 Lincoln Way, brought its spring clothing line to a crowd of nearly 400 people Saturday night.

Guests rocked to the sounds of local band Duck and Cover as skateboarders zoomed by. Booths were set up along the walls of the room for guests to receive henna tattoos and pose for caricatures. Female models roller skated and male models walked through the crowd, wearing the latest styles and colors of *Zushy’s spring fashions.

*Zushy owner Liza Kindred said the music provided by Duck and Cover fit well with the show’s overall atmosphere.

“They played the type of music that was conducive to what we were trying to re-enact,” she said. “The show went really well.”

While the band played, local disc jockeys John Solarz and Adam Ferry created the visual aspects of the show, with artistic posters and stunning projections and films on the walls. The two also had a hand in designing *Zushy’s new men’s clothing line, Kindred said.

“Our men’s line is primarily made up of T-shirts and buttoned-down shirts with a medieval theme to them,” Kindred said. “They’re kind of gothic and majestic.”

While some of the models were volunteers from the Ames community, Kindred said most were ISU students.

“We had an open model call for about one day a couple of weeks ago,” Kindred said. “People showed up, gave us a picture and did a walk for us.”

The vacant warehouse at 320 Main St. proved to be an appropriate venue for the event. Kindred said the blaring music and flashing lights brought in many curious passersby from the street. “We learned about this space, which is for sale, after the ISU architecture department had held a gallery show here,” Kindred said. “It was a great space for the show, with 10,000 square feet and two levels.”

The fashion show began with models descending staircases, displaying fashions for women and men available for purchase at *Zushy. A set of stairs led down to each side of the runway, which served as the starting point for about 25 models showing off 70 different looks, Kindred said.

“We had a cross-section for the spring line,” she said. “We showed a lot of the women’s clothing and some of our men’s collection.”

Kindred said many ISU clubs contributed to *Z Town’s success, including the Unicycling and Juggling Club and the Hip Hop Dance Club. “I talked to Liza Kindred about performing at [the fashion show] last year, so it was a natural idea to do it this year,” said Carin Skowronsky, president of the Hip Hop Dance Club and junior in marketing.

The group performed as the opening act for the fashion show. Callie Thrapp, member and choreographer of the Hip Hop Dance Club, said the group chose to dance spontaneously to give the show a more natural feel.

“We danced around the walkway, sort of like an opening act,” said Thrapp, freshman in pre-business. “We just did it freestyle, instead of a choreographed routine — we just danced along to what the DJ was playing.”

Kindred said the event gave *Zushy the chance to work with others in the community. Stylists from salon Marc Stevens and Friends, 526 Main St., created the edgy look for the models. Cafe Diem, 323 Main St., served smoothies to guests. Upon entrance, everyone was given a bag containing various coupons from local businesses in Ames.

“The goody bags everyone received were just our opportunity to once again promote other businesses with our own,” Kindred said.