Register by Monday, July 14
Judging: Tuesday, July 22, Begins 8 a.m. — time slots assigned (Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Conference Rooms and Lobby)
Clover Kids Optional Modeling Practice Session: Tuesday, July 22, any time after 8 a.m. (Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Lobby)
Public Fashion Show: Thursday, July 31, 7:30 p.m. (Sandhills Global Event Center – South Hall)
Fashion Show is open to 4-H members ages 5–18.
Fashion Show garments must also be entered in the Static Exhibit clothing area (pages 30–33). Garments should be age appropriate. Clothing garments to be modeled shall display tasteful design and modestly cover the body. Examples of design features to avoid include, but are not limited to: revealing low-cut necklines, extremely short hemlines, extremely short shorts and swimwear with minimal body coverage. 4-H members should confer with Extension staff prior to Fashion Show Judging Day if there is a question about the appropriateness of their design or pattern to avoid disqualification. Note: nightwear or loungewear cannot be modeled at the state level.
Once you have exhibited in a higher level, you are not eligible to exhibit in a lower level. Example: once you exhibit in STEAM Clothing 3, you are not eligible to exhibit in STEAM Clothing 2. Exhibitors may only exhibit in 1 level each year.
If a 4-H member sewed a garment(s) for someone else to wear, garment(s) may be modeled by the individual it was sewn for.
Participants need to fill out 1 of the following entry forms for EACH entry:
- Fashion Show Narration Entry Form — for item(s) constructed by 4-H member ages 8–18.
- Shopping in Style Fashion Show Written Report with Narration Entry Form — for purchased item(s) exhibited by 4-H members ages 8–18.
- Clover Kids Fashion Show Entry Form — for item modeled by 4-H members ages 5–7.
For each entry, 4-H members write the narration which will be read as they model their garments.
🔎 Resources: A how-to handout, “4-H Fashion Show — Procedures and Information,” is available online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/contests. All participants are strongly encouraged to read the handout.
Three YouTube livestreamed videos, “4-H Fashion Show at Lancaster County Super Fair,” from 2022, 2023 and 2024 are linked at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/contests
- Premiums: Purple $4; Blue $3; Red $2; White $0
- Special Awards: Trophies to the Top Fashion Show and Top Shopping in Style
- Top Purples Are Awarded to Some County-Only Classes
STATEWIDE CONTEST: Top models at the county contest in constructed garments classes and Shopping in Style garments will be selected to participate in the State Fashion Show, held during the Nebraska State Fair. Any 4-H member who is 8 years old (by Jan. 1 of the current year) and is in STEAM Clothing 2, STEAM Clothing 3, Beyond the Needle, Knitting or Crocheting or Shopping in Style is eligible for the State Fashion Shows.
CLOVER KIDS FASHION SHOW PROJECT
Clover Kid members ages 5–7 (by Jan. 1 of the current year) may model one item in the Fashion Show. Clover Kids Fashion Show items may NOT be entered for static exhibit judging.
Register by submitting “4-H Clover Kids Fashion Show Entry Form” (available at the Extension office and online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/contests) by Monday, July 14. Submit to the Extension office or email to Kristin Geisert at kristin.geisert@unl.edu.
Clover Kids May:
- Carry and show: pillow, pillowcase, purse, bag or other item they have sewn.
- Wear: purchased top, shorts, apron, pants or cape they have decorated/embellished.
- Wear: top, shorts, pants or apron they have sewn.
- Wear: a purchased outfit on a budget (Clover shoppers).
- No Premiums — Participation ribbons only
- No state fair entry
STEAM CLOTHING 1 — FASHION SHOW FOR NON-WEARABLES
4-H members may exhibit their pillows, laundry bags, etc. and/or Knitting or CrochetingLevel 1 projects and experience Fashion Show judging and public Fashion Show. Participants will not be judged on judging day, but instead will learn tips and proper styling technique. Registration is necessary.
- No Premiums — Participation ribbons only
- No state fair entry
STEAM CLOTHING 1 FASHION SHOW
- No state fair entry
C410900 Clothing 1 Complete Outfit — simple dress, romper, simple pullover top/shirt AND simple pull-on pants/shorts OR skirt OR wrap skirt.
C410904 Clothing 1 Second Complete Outfit — see above class for examples.
STEAM CLOTHING 2 FASHION SHOW
The exhibit must be a complete wearable outfit made by a 4-H member. No purchased items permitted, except a purchased top can be worn to complete a vest or jacket outfit with a skirt, pants or shorts. Accessories may be purchased.
C410030 Clothing 2 Complete Outfit — possible types of garments include: dress; romper or jumpsuit; 2-piece outfit combination (skirt with top, vest or lined/unlined jacket); jumper and shirt; pants or shorts outfit (pants or shorts with top, vest or lined/unlined jacket). A purchased top can be worn to complete a vest or lined/unlined jacket outfit with a constructed bottom OR upcycled outfit combination — must contain a complete constructed outfit (examples: if the top is upcycled, outfit must include a constructed bottom or upcycled dress).
C410901 Clothing 2 Second Complete Outfit — see above class for examples.
C410902 Clothing 2 (county only) — robes, pajamas, etc.
STEAM CLOTHING 3 FASHION SHOW
The exhibit must be a completely wearable outfit made by a 4-H member. No purchased items permitted, except accessories and a purchased top worn to complete a vest or jacket outfit with a skirt, pants or shorts.
- Premiums: Purple $4; Blue $3; Red $2; White $0
C410040 Clothing 3 Complete Outfit — possible types of garments include: dress; formal skirted outfit (skirt with shirt, vest or lined/unlined jacket or jumper and shirt); pants or shorts outfit (pants or shorts with shirt, vest or lined/unlined jacket); romper or jumpsuit; specialty wear (modestly designed swim wear, costumes, western wear-chaps, chinks, riding attire or hunting gear); non-tailored jacket (additional pieces with jacket or coat may either be constructed or purchased) or tailored blazer, suit jacket or coat (additional pieces with blazer, jacket or coat may either be constructed or purchased). A purchased top can be worn to complete a vest or jacket outfit with a skirt, pants or shorts.
C410906 Clothing 3 Second Complete Outfit — see above class for examples.
STEAM BEYOND THE NEEDLE FASHION SHOW
C410010 Embellished Garment(s) with an Original Design Garment — created using intermediate or advanced techniques as defined in the “STEAM Clothing: Beyond the Needle” 4-H project book (dying, aging, stitching, studs, rivets, grommets and eyelets, see complete list starting on p. 75). Designs are the original idea of the 4-H member using the elements and principles of design to make an original statement.
C410015 Garment Constructed From Original Designed Fabric — fabric yardage is designed first, then a garment is constructed from that fabric. Other embellishments may be added.
C410020 Textile Arts Garment(s) — garment is constructed using new unconventional materials. Examples: rubber bands, plastic, duct tape.
C410025 Wearable Technology Garment — garment has integrated technology into its design.
C410910 Embellished Garment — a purchased, constructed original design or recycled garment to which surface embellishment has been applied or a garment in which the design is created through the structure, such as color blocks, fabric strips, texturizing
fabric pieces, etc.
C410911 Apron (county only) — a purchased, constructed original design or recycled apron to which surface embellishment has been applied or a garment in which the design is created through the structure such as color blocks, fabric strips, texturizing fabric pieces, etc. OR apron constructed from an original designed fabric.
FIBER ARTS/KNITTED OR CROCHETED FASHION SHOW
C410050 Knitted or Crocheted Clothing (Level 2 or 3) — Knitted garment using pattern stitches such as diamond, block, twist or seed/moss stitches or advanced knitting stitches such as pass slip stitch over, double-pointed needle knitting, cable, Turkish, tamerna, plait, germaine, feather and fan or knitting with 1 or more patterns such as Aran or Fair Isle. Crocheted garment using pattern stitches such as texture, shell, cluster or mesh stitches or advance crochet stitches such as afghan, broomstick, hairpin lace, design motifs or pattern stitches. Garment can be a sweater, cardigan, dress, coat, a top and bottom or a 2-piece ensemble.
MAKE ONE–BUY ONE FASHION SHOW
C410970 Make One–Buy One – Level 1 (county only) — combine sewn garment with a purchased item to make a complete wearable outfit. Both items must be modeled.
C410980 Make One–Buy One – Level 2 or 3 (county only) — combine sewn, knitted or crocheted garment(s) with a purchased item to make a complete wearable outfit. Both items must be modeled. It is acceptable to combine a knitted or crocheted garment with a garment that the 4-H member has sewn (please indicate this on the entry form).
C410981 Make One–Buy One Second Entry – Level 2 or 3 (county only) — combine sewn, knitted or crocheted garment(s) with a purchased item to make a complete wearable outfit. Both items must be modeled. It is acceptable to combine a knitted or crocheted garment with a garment that the 4-H member has sewn (please indicate this on the entry form).
APRON FASHION SHOW
All entries must be handmade (includes knitting and crocheting) and not purchased. Narration should include information about whole outfit being modeled, not just the apron.
C410982 Apron (county only)
GARMENT(S) MADE FOR OTHERS FASHION SHOW
If an upcycled garment is made for another person, it is entered in the Upcycled category.
C410915 Garment(s) Made for Another Person (county only) — the 4-H member who made the garment(s) must accompany the model on stage.
C410916 Second Garment(s) Made for Another Person (county only) — the 4-H member who made the garment(s) must accompany the model on stage.
UPCYCLED GARMENT FASHION SHOW
4-H members in STEAM Clothing 1, 2 or 3 may enter this class.
C410920 Upcycled Garment (county only) — the original used item must be altered (not just decorated) in some way to create a new wearable piece of clothing. A before picture and a description of the redesign process must accompany the entry or it will be disqualified. Purchased clothing items may be worn to complete wearable outfit. If an upcycled garment is made for another person, it is entered in the Upcycled category.
SHOPPING IN STYLE FASHION SHOW
Members may have 1 entry in Shopping in Style in addition to other fashion show entries. Must complete “Shopping in Style” entry form, available at Extension office.
C410060 Shopping in Style — complete outfit using all purchased, ready-made garments.