“Hair on Top of Hair on Top of Hair”: Fashion Students Shine in Big Hair Ball

U’lia Hargrove gets a hug as she wins the Best Emerging Designer award at the Big Hair Ball.

In a mix of fabric and glamour, fashion merchandising and design students brought children’s books to life and walked away with laurels at this year’s Big Hair Ball, an annual fundraising event for Family Service of the Piedmont featuring outsized hairdos and outré outfits crafted by local designers.

The 2023 runway fashion show event was held on January 28 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex and featured designs from three CAES students. Senior U’lia Hargrove, who contributed five designs for the show, was awarded Best Emerging Artist and Designer.

“I’ve never actually been in a fashion show,” said senior fashion merchandising and design major  Amberatta Faulkner, who contributed two designs to the show. “I had always been the model, so it was different being on the other side as the person dressing a model. It was amazing; everyone went all out – there was hair on top of hair on top of hair! I was stunned.”

This year’s theme, “The Unfold Stories: A Lexicon of Fashion,” allowed designers such as Faulkner, Hargrove and senior Jewel Moser to build looks based characters from well-known stories and dress models in their designs. The models were chosen by the Greensboro Guild and Junior Guild of Family Service of the Piedmont.

“I don’t know what I was expecting going into it, but it was a huge show,” said Moser, whose design was based on the Fancy Nancy book series. “I definitely recommend that students get involved in this show. I really think it’s kind of the first step for being in fashion professionally: you get a client, you get an objective, they give you money to design. It shows you how a runway is performed. I also think it’s important because of their cause and their commitment to the families in the entire Piedmont area, and not just design students.”

Elizabeth Newcomb Hopfer, Ph.D., associate professor in the fashion program, called the show “a fantastic opportunity” for students to build their portfolios while benefiting the work of the nonprofit, which provides support for families dealing with financial stability, mental health, domestic violence and child abuse issues.

“By participating in the show, they stretch their imagination, design and development skills; establish networks of other designers, hair and makeup artists; learn how to design within tight timelines and to meet needs of show sponsors, clients, and hair and makeup artists; “ Hopfer said. “And, they have the opportunity to show their work on a very big stage.”

By U’lia Hargrove, student designer

U’lia Hargrove is recognized at the 2023 Big Hair Ball.

I first learned of the Big Hair Ball when the executive director, Indira Roberts, reached out to me, looking for N.C. A&T students to design a few pieces for the event. She was impressed with my LinkedIn profile as well as a few designs that I’ve showcased in my current portfolio.

I took on the opportunity to design a few pieces because I wanted to challenge my creativity. This was my first fashion show, so I understood that it would require a lot of dedication, discipline, meetings, planning and so on. However, this is my senior year, and I wanted to be able to leave behind something I would be proud of.

The theme for this year’s 11^th Annual Big Hair Ball was “The Unfold Stories: A Lexicon of Fashion”. I decided to create designs based on the stories of Maleficent, Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty, Tarzan and The Great Gatsby. For each design, I wanted to make sure that I created a memorable statement piece for each one of my looks. For example, for Goldilocks, I added two large pastel bows that represented her boldness. For Maleficent, I made a pair of large black feather wings to illustrate her fierceness. For Sleeping Beauty, I decided that the focal point should be large fresh flowers to represent the blooming of a woman awakened from her sleep by her true love. For Tarzan, I told the story through Jane’s iconic yellow dress, entangled with vines, to keep Jane with her love in the jungle. Finally, for the Great Gatsby, my statement piece was a long fur coat, symbolizing Daisy’s richness, sophistication and beauty.

At end of the night, I was fortunate enough to be awarded Best Brand: Emerging Artist/Designer.

The experience has improved my skill set, confidence and ability as an emerging designer. I am very thankful for this opportunity. It makes me very eager to see what the future has in store for me!

By Jewel Moser, student designer 

Student designer Jewel Moser created looks based on the animated series Fancy Nancy.

During the past few months, I’ve had the amazing opportunity of participating in the 2023 Family Services of the Piedmont Big Hair Ball! For this year’s theme, “The Unfold Stories: A Lexicon of Fashion,” I was inspired by the Fancy Nancy book series, which has reached children worldwide, teaching the values of friendship, being yourself, and loving your family. Inspired by the glitz, glamour, and larger-than-life personality of the main character, Nancy Margret Clancy, I constructed a custom, two-piece high-low gown featuring more than 80 yards of gathered tulle and pink satin that expresses Nancy’s love for pink and pearls. 

Participating in this year’s Big Hair Ball was such a valuable experience. It allowed me to work with sponsors and large brands, feature my work in the largest fashion show in Greensboro, and connect with other designers, makeup artists, and hairstylists. I hope to participate next year and urge all students that are interested to take part in this amazing opportunity!