Review: Spur Fashion show exceeds expectations | Culture

Thursday night’s Spur fashion show, titled Aphrodisia, was a collection of bold looks, poses and a journey of emotion. 

While clothing was a prominent feature of the show, it was complemented by so many other elements, like hair, makeup, dance, song, animation and video — each one more impressive when combined. 

The show’s first act was Facade, an explicit sequence of black lace and red leather.

Jessica Ventresca, a third-year nursing student, says the visions of excess and escape were just right. 

“The first scene was giving boss girl. Everyone was giving the energy that needed to be given,” says Ventresca.

Any criticism of this act would be the entire point of the spectacle. Too vulgar? True. Too dark? True. 

After experiencing heartbreak, it’s natural to want to hide behind a persona, a facade. That relatable concept made the first act resonate deeply. 

The next scene was Mania. It was a striking contrast with the previous act, featuring bright, wacky patterns. Its choreography once again matched the vibe, every element complementing each other. 

Lea O’Flaherty, a fourth-year Ivey business and media and communications student and choreographer of the show for the past two years, says she was happy to finally sit back and enjoy the show without stressing about queues.

“It’s always been impressive how you can take someone who doesn’t have that extra experience in dance and make them look like they’ve been dancing for years. That’s the hardest part, in my opinion,” said O’Flaherty.

The third act, Lament, was a stunning display of hair and makeup artistry. 

The themes of sorrow and regret were brought to life with royal blue glitter tears and seemingly wet hair. 

Camryn McGill, a third-year nursing student, says the unexpected emotion expressed in this sequence was very cohesive with the fashion. 

“It’s not what you’d expect either, right? You don’t expect all the extra elements of it,” said McGill. 

The fourth act, Reclamation, had a breezy, flower-girl vibe and earthy tones — think Kacey Musgraves. Dancers and models would move across the stage and among the audience throughout the show. 

The layout of the Mustang lounge made it impossible to elevate the stage, which led to some viewing challenges, particularly with some audience members holding up fan-like posters.

“The view is okay. I’m a little bit frustrated with people who brought signs, but … I brought my glasses so I can see pretty well,” said Olivia Valeriote, a fourth-year in psychology and creative writing.

The final act, and the favourite of the night judging by the crowd’s volume, was Liberation, in disco-country-themed attire. 

If a metallic pink cowboy boot were a show, it would run like this act had. And if Chappell Roan were in a fashion show, it would be this one.

The night ended in roaring applause, a few speeches, awards, and the reveal of a $40,000 donation to Childhood Cancer Canada, fulfilling co-director Santiago Rivera’s dream to leave a lasting legacy with the Spur Purple Society.

“This is the best version of the show I’ve ever seen, and it’s for a good cause, too,” said  Valeriote.