Pitt hosts Victoria’s Secret fashion show for charity

Three Pitt students turned David Lawrence Hall into a runway last night.

Lindsay Jones, Dina Jahani and Akiesha Gilcrist organized a Pink Victoria’s Secret fashion show, supported by Pitt’s Fashion Business Association.

The free event raised money and collected clothing for the charity Dress for Success Pittsburgh, which aims to outfit underprivileged women with professional clothes for job interviews.

The first 50 people to donate clothing to the organization received a free gift from Pink, and those afterward got a smaller freebie.

Jones, Jahani and Gilcrist work for the Limited Brands Corp., which owns the lingerie and clothing store Victoria’s Secret and other brands, such as Bath and Body Works.

They brought the show to Pitt as campus representatives for Victoria’s Secret.

In a lecture hall transformed by pink balloons and Victoria’s Secret posters, a vibrant projector screen and a hip-hop soundtrack, about 15 women strutted down a runway accompanied by music.

The event began with a round of business attire clothing, inspired by the show’s support for the charity.

The organizers then showed a video montage of real Victoria’s Secret models before the Pitt students transitioned into the sleepwear, activewear and casual portions of the program.

The women modeled hoodies, fluffy robes, knit winter hats, sparkly tank tops and swimsuits. Some modeled Pink’s versions of Pitt T-shirts.

Jones said she was pleased with the turnout. More than 150 people attended, and Dress for Success received more than 100 donations from the event.

“The program was really rewarding for the three of us,” Jones said.

The organizers held a contest between the models to see who could get the most people to come, and they began a Facebook group to advertise the event.

Pitt senior Nate Rubin said he would not have missed the event for anything.

“I love fashion, so I have been counting the days since I heard about this,” Rubin said. “Plus, I get to see pretty girls prancing around on stage.”

At the end of the show, the models came out donning Pink T-shirts and dancing in the aisles.

Junior Dani Karnoff said she was glad she attended the fashion show.

“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect,” Karnoff said. “But it turned out to be a lot of fun, and I’m glad I got the chance to donate to a good cause.”