With all three members wearing polka dots, the United Kingdom’s all-girl Pipettes band heated things up last night at Jake Ivory’s Piano Bar in Boston — so much that everyone had to evacuate, forcing a raffle at the end of the night to be held outside.
More than halfway through the set, a speaker overheated and created what first appeared to be fog from a machine, but when the music stopped and singers ran off stage, audience members realized they weren’t witnessing special effects.
The Rock ‘n Rag fashion show, including a performance by the Pipettes, was organized by Macy’s American Rag clothing team in conjunction with Filter magazine – a UK music magazine – and Boston University student groups. The night also featured a student fashion show.
The show benefited the St. Francis House, a nonprofit day shelter for Boston’s homeless population, and the entry fee was one donated article of clothing.
“We thought this would be a really great way to give back to the school and to the community,” said College of Communication sophomore Kate Klinck, an organizer. “It’s an interactive and engaging way to build a strong relationship with BU.”
Before the smoking performance, the fashion show gave each model the opportunity to represent a different BU group competing for a $200 prize. Groups included several sororities and fraternities, the BU Finance Club, the Hunger Relief club, the former COM Champions and the nutrition club.
The winning group was the Champions, represented on the runway by Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences senior Brandon Batey.
“Tonight’s important because it’s given us the opportunity to help out . . . and we’ve been getting a lot of clothes,” said Champion member Cindy Nguyen, a COM junior. “We just wanted to collect as much clothing as possible. To be honest, we didn’t expect much and only asked for one piece of clothing, but now we’ve had people coming in with bags full.”
Batey said the prize money the group won will likely fund a benefit concert the group is planning for the spring.
BU is the first stop for the traveling Rock ‘n Rag fashion show, which will visit eight college campuses across the country this semester.
Chrissy Shea, Macy’s Merchandising Group marketing director in New York City, said she was satisfied with the show and the charity chosen by the students who organized the event.
“From a national level, Macy’s gives to large organizations,” she said. “But working locally is rewarding because in New York we’re not always aware of what’s happening in Boston, but we’re always open to helping a good cause like St. Francis.”
