Strike a Pose!

By Greta Cunningham '23, Communications Apprentice
December 20, 2021

Creative expression and self-discovery have found a new nucleus at Cretin Derham-Hall with the creation of Vogue Club this fall. The new club allows students to learn about fashion design, modeling, and photography. 

“We really wanted to make the club for everybody, especially those who might be tentative at first,” said Alex Prodoehl ’22, one of the club’s leaders. “Whatever your original level of interest is, this is somewhere you can build on that to get more excited about fashion and photography. It’s a really great way for students to be able to join something new and fun and exciting.”

The opportunity was first introduced to students at the co-curricular activities fair in October. The next week, the club had its first meeting with Nick Giles ’03, Fine Arts department head, taking on the role of adviser. 

Molly Stanley ’22, the club’s founder and other student leader, received her inspiration from the expression of any and every student at CDH. 

“I wanted to create a community where students could feel really comfortable to experiment with fashion and photography and explore their creative side. It’s a way for students to have fun with their personal style as a school that uses uniforms,” said Stanley. 

The club has many exciting aspirations for the school year, from photoshoots to a fashion show to a magazine publication, all ways they hope to help members discover their own passion.

“Our long-term goal is to develop a place for students to create and express themselves, and in addition to that focus on ways we can bring social justice concerns, such as fast fashion and sustainability, into our efforts. Combining fashion photography with sustainability and equity in our society is something we feel really strong and passionate about,” said Prodoehl. 

These initiatives will be embodied in collaborations with Sustainability Club, another student-run co-curricular, and Pass Down the Gown, an alumni organization, along with general service projects.  

Chloe Anderson ’22 participated in the club’s first “Sweater Weather” themed photoshoot at Cold Front over Thanksgiving Break. 

“I liked how we had the freedom to make the shoot anything we wanted it to be. It was a blank canvas that we got to fill,” she said.

Fashion and individual style come from diverse and complex influences. Prodoehl’s mom has always been her “symbol of fashion,” and she even wore one of her mom’s vintage 80’s dresses to Homecoming this year. Vogue Club is one avenue where this kind of connection can be cultivated. For the club leaders, fostering an environment where students are exposed to and share in each other’s experiences and understanding is a special opportunity. 

“I think it’s important that the student body has clubs like these because they encourage collaboration,” said Anderson. 

Vogue Club meets on Fridays, second flex, in Mr. Giles’ room, MFA103, Stanley and Prodoehl extend the invitation for all students to join. 

Prodoehl encapsulated the club’s mission as follows: “It’s been a way for students to break out of their comfort zone and a great opportunity for people to branch out in a welcoming space, which is really what Molly and I are setting out to do.”

Greta Cunningham '23 is a Communications Apprentice. She is passionate about writing and participates in the CDH Chronicle and the Creative Writing Club. She is also involved in Student Council and competitive figure skating. "I want to have a dynamic role in spreading Cretin-Derham Hall's message and core values, specifically, community and service, during these times," she said.