Abigail Hardin, an Alabama senior majoring in apparel and textiles, is bringing New York all the way to Tuscaloosa. The Loft will present the Marie Claire Front Row College Challenge fashion show, sponsored by Rimmel, on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion.
Hardin is one of four finalists chosen for the Front Row College Challenge. It takes place at the four different universities these finalists represent, and the winner gets to take part in an internship with Marie Claire. Winning is based on attendance, enthusiasm and styling. Hardin has styled six of the 14 looks.
Aside from winning an internship, Hardin also partnered with a local volunteer-based organization, Project Blessings, that helps rebuild and repair damaged homes of low-income families and individuals.
“It’s so much more than an internship,” Hardin said.
To attend the event and help support Hardin and Project Blessings, RSVP to [email protected]. The deadline to RSVP is Thursday at noon, and the attire is crimson, black, white, gray or houndstooth – anything “chic.”
For each RSVP e-mail received, Marie Claire magazine will donate $10 to aid tornado relief efforts through Project Blessings.
“We were chosen, and that is such an honor,” said Marsha Sprayberry, founder of Project Blessings.
Project Blessings was founded in 2009 on the basis that those in need deserve to have a better quality of life. Sprayberry said she felt she needed to start this organization because there was no other organization in Tuscaloosa that would help repair houses.
“The phone doesn’t stop ringing,” she said. “We have more requests now than we’ve ever had. People are now realizing they are lost; they don’t know what to do.”
With the help of Hardin and her gift of fashion, Project Blessings will be the medium through which anyone can help residents affected by the tornado.
“I’ve been into fashion ever since I came out of the womb,” Hardin said. “It’s amazing when you put on a good outfit, and you feel good instantly.”
Hardin was born with a port wine birthmark on her face that is not visible anymore. She wrote a children’s book entitled “Look at me I’m just like you” to help other children deal with differences and struggles they may be facing similar to those she experienced growing up. She also has taken part in various beauty pageants and founded an organization that helps build character in young children, called Open My Eyes Foundation.
“She never let her birthmark get in her way,” said Genna Jones, assistant secretary to Dean Boschung of the College of Human Environmental Sciences. “That gave her her platform.”
Not only has her platform been set in her life for all her accomplishments, but it has also been set on the runway.
“It’s been a great ride,” Hardin concluded.
Admission to the Marie Claire Front Row College Challenge fashion show is free, and transportation buses will be located on the corner of Colonial Drive and Paul Bryant Drive.
