The Common Ground was more reminiscent of the tents at Lincoln Center’s Fashion Week this Saturday than the gathering place for academics in between classes.

The space was transformed into a runway as the Career Development Center’s first Dress for Success fashion show opened. Freshmen Tamara Sanchez-Ortiz and Ana Pereu, interns at the CDC, narrated the show as 10 students modeled the appropriate styles for three scenarios: networking, interviews and a day at work.

From belt colors to skirt lengths to hairstyles, Sanchez-Ortiz and Pereu gave useful tips on how to dress for each occasion. The audience clapped and cheered as the models posed on the runway sporting their professional outfits.

The CDC collected clothing items such as blazers, collared shirts and neckties to donate to the students. Crowding around racks of clothes, students shuffled through rows of hangers to find the perfect item for their next business event while the CDC staff gave advice. Students also had the opportunity to get their LinkedIn profile photos taken.

The organization for the fashion event involved many members of the NYUAD community. While Sanchez-Ortiz and Pereu recruited student models, photographers, videographers, a DJ and stylists, Cathy Harborow from the Community Life department gathered, cleaned and ironed donated clothing items.

“It is like one big family,” CDC coordinator Clare Matthews said. “The students and the staff all want to see each other succeed, so there's never a shortage of support and encouragement.”

Matthews stressed the importance of understanding how we communicate non-verbally, and while personal style is an opportunity to express one’s individuality, dressing for an occasion should also be determined by appropriateness. In professional environments, she said, students should want to be remembered for what they did and said, and not what they wore.

“I totally agree that a person may want to use their clothing to express their individuality, but there is a time and a place,” she said. “An interview, networking event or first day on the job are not times when your clothes — or lack of them — should be screaming, ‘Look at me!’”

Freshman Nada Azhary found the fashion show very beneficial.

“As freshmen, we don’t have much experience,” Azhary said. “I might have my first interview soon. This fashion show gave us clues on what styles are appropriate.”

The models who strutted down the runway in blazers, collared shirts, heals and suits also found value in the event. Freshman Maitha Al Mansoori, who walked down the runway in an abaya, described the show as an amazing experience.

“I got to represent Emirati culture in the workplace,” Al Mansoori said.

For freshman and model Hee Eun Kwon, the fashion show was her first time on the runway.

“I had a huge influence [to participate] from [Pereu], who is my roommate,” she said. “But, I also wanted to clarify for myself what type of clothes are appropriate for which occasion.”

Beyond the style advice and new work-appropriate clothes, Matthews hopes students recognize the support network available to guide them toward successful careers.

“The most important thing I hope students realize is that they are not in it alone.” Matthews said. “The CDC is here to give students the advice and support that will help them make a success of their future careers.”