Models strutting down a candle-lit runway wearing fabulous clothing can only mean one thing: a fashion show. But when the runway is made of dirt, it’s not your average fashion show. 

The Resurrection Fashion Show took place Oct. 18 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Grove clubhouse. Doors opened at 7:30 p.m. and attendees were asked to wear their best funeral attire. The show featured garments from Portobello Road and Ti’La Brand and hair by Leedz Salon.

Quentin Silvey, senior in hospitality management, directed the show and was assisted by Sam Sullivan, senior in event management. Both Silvey and Sullivan are employees at The Grove.

Silvey has been working at The Grove for two years and first was inspired to start directing fashion shows after The Grove hosted one last year.

“I fell in love with the crowd and the feel of it,” Silvey said. “It’s something in Ames that people can get excited about.”

The Resurrection is the third fashion show Silvey has directed this year. The first one, Fashion Sense, was held in March with the theme’s inspiration coming from Radiant Orchid, the 2014 Pantone Color of the Year. The second show, Garden Party, was this summer with a theme inspired by plants and greenery.

Working alongside Silvey was Talia Jensen, owner of Portobello Road. Silvey contacted Jensen in March to see if she wanted to be a part of Fashion Sense. Prior to Fashion Sense, Talia had never done any fashion shows.

“I never had a desire to do fashion shows because I don’t design, so I wasn’t sure it was something people wanted to see,” Jensen said. “But [Silvey] had really cool ideas, and he inspired me to start doing shows.”

The positive feedback Silvey and Jensen received inspired them to continue putting on seasonal shows.

The Resurrection was a Halloween-themed show, but Jensen said they didn’t want it to come off as corny. It had a somber, dark and creepy tone.

“The name of the show was chosen because it’s held close to Halloween, and we wanted to give a good aesthetic for that time of the year,” Jensen said. “But it was also chosen because we’re back again, it’s the resurrection of Portobello Road and The Grove.”

The show was the first time Ti’La Brand joined Portobello Road on the runway.

Doneisha Laree Jackson, junior in apparel, merchandising and design, is the designer of Ti’La Brand.

Jackson said she likes to incorporate print, color and texture in her designs. Almost all of Jackson’s garments were created specifically for the show. She said raglan sleeves and miniskirts inspired her designs. She also wanted her clothing to be bold while still keeping fall colors.

“I used a lot of neutral colors like black, white, taupe and camel, and I paired them with bold prints,” Jackson said.

During the show, about 20 different looks were featured from Portobello Road and about 15 from Ti’La Brand. Portobello Road’s collection included clothing and accessories that will be featured in the store in the upcoming months.

The show displayed over 30 looks for men and women. This will be the last fashion show of the year for both Ti’La Brand and Portobello Road, but they plan to put on shows in the future.