Students show off condom couture in 6th annual Condom Fashion Show themed “Decades of Pride”

Photo by Julia Vassallo By Julia Vassallo As the blaring music mixed with the roaring crowd, models strutted down the aisles of Frazier Hall 102 dressed in a colorful array of condoms. Hosted by Planned Parenthood Generation on May 10, the sixth annual Condom Fashion Show’s theme was “Decades of Pride.” “The main goal of the Condom Fashion Show is to gather students and community members together to enjoy amazing condom fashion and start conversations about sexual health in our community while having fun,” PPGen coordinator Piper Tolbert said. Tolbert and Erin Montgomery from PPGen were the main coordinators and emcees for the event. PPGen is Western’s chapter of Planned Parenthood student clubs, according to Tolbert. [caption id="attachment_32011" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo by Julia Vassallo[/caption] In order of appearance, the teams that competed for the grand prize were Petty Pussoir, Bo-meme-ian Rhapsody, 1969, Mike Pence’s Tears, Wine Witches, Bastille Your Girl, Reinstate Pluto as a Planet Coalition Reconvened, Deepthroat the Rainbow, Mmmmmmm k ;), Thots with Thoughts and Killer Queens. The club also hosts Safe Sex Friday most Fridays in Red Square, where they give out free educational information, condoms and lube, according to Tolbert. The night’s looks featured fashion from the 1700s to modern day that are inspired by the history of LGBTQ+ celebrations. “This June marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, during which the patrons of a New York City bar fought back against a discriminatory police raid,” Montgomery said. “Today, Pride celebrations commemorate the bravery of these individuals.” The event held a raffle, a performance by the Dead Parrots Society, an appearance from the Peer Sexual Health Educators and student comedian Lelia Thorp of Western’s Stand Up Comedy club. The event was kicked off by an improv performance by Neco, Evan and Jen from the Dead Parrots Society, where they played games and incorporated the audience while sticking with the fashion show’s theme. Following the Dead Parrots Society, the Peer Sexual Health Educators brought audience members up to play a team game called “Grab the Woody: Pride, Pleasure, Protection.” The Peer Sexual Health Educators’ premise of this game was to educate students on various sexual health topics. “We are comprised of outreach volunteers who do things such as Cookies and Condoms or Hot and Ready activities on campus,” Peer sexual health educator Hailey Wilson said during the event. “We also do one-on-one confidential services to talk about birth control and STI testing.” Judges determined the final three winners based on their use of materials, creativity and the outfit’s relevance to this year’s theme, along with an audience-choice winner. Mike Pence’s Tears won the audience choice, Mmmmmmm k ;) won the third-place prize of $50, Bastille Your Girl won the second place prize of $100 and Wine Witches won the first place prize of $250. “This is my first time coming to this event, but my housemates have done it for the past three years,” first-year Lilli Hewitt, the model for the winning team, said. “I’m so excited to have won, I’ve always thought this show is amazing.” [caption id="attachment_32009" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo by Julia Vassallo[/caption] The members of the winning team, Wine Witches, consists of Bora Seeley, Emmilee Lambert, Amanda Ottinger and Hannah Goebell. Two audience members, Selam Swier and Anna Stewart, said their favorite look was from Mmmmmmm k ;). The costume had an array of purple, black, pink and orange condoms that matched the model’s black condom gloves. “I had so much fun, especially because I didn’t expect this show to be what it was,” another audience member Lili Smith said. “My favorite look was from Wine Witches.” PPGen will be hosting an event called “Truths Feminists Tell,” featuring a panel of reproductive health and justice experts, on May 23.