Fashion shows in Italy and France always showcase the newest trends. But those hot new styles don't reach the store racks until they've been displayed on the runway.

On Dec. 1, an Eastern apparel, design and merchandising (ADM) class, in conjunction with Liberty Hall State Historic Site and Kentucky Historical Society, is producing a fashion show but with a twist. It won't take a look into the future of clothing but a peek into the past.

This vintage extravaganza will put on display recreated historic costumes from the 1800s-1830s, said ADM professor Lynn Barnes.

The class is recreating its own garments based on patterns and designs of the original historic costumes, she said.

The public can no longer view some of the costumes at both Liberty Hall and KHS because they are too fragile to be handled or exhibited, said Jenna Yannone, a senior ADM major.

"We're giving life to some costumes that could never go back on exhibit," Barnes said.

Barnes has done this type of show at other universities, but this is the first time her class at Eastern has attempted such an undertaking. This show has been a semester in the making, starting sometime in August with research about the time period, including the music, literature, art, politics and technological advances in design and manufacturing, Barnes said.

The class also looked at the history of the clothing, who wore it and where it was worn, Yannone said.

"It was really cool getting to see real garments people actually wore," said Stephanie Bachmeier, a senior ADM major. "It's totally different to actually see it, the fabric, the stains people got on their clothing."

The students started actually making the garments in September, with all expenses being paid out of the students' pockets. Those expenses ranged from $16-$300, depending on the kind of fabric and how much was needed, she said.

"It's an expensive class we're in," said Kathrine Silva, a junior ADM major from Richmond.

Everyone in the class is making an outfit, including Barnes, and will wear it for the show, Yannone said.

Hairstylist J.R. Lamb, from J.C. Penny's in the Fayette Mall, is creating the hair designs based on historic research and images from the time period, Barnes said.

After the show, the students will own what they worked on, but the museums have asked if they could borrow the garments for other shows and exhibits of the time period, Barnes said.

"It's been a good learning experience," said Amy Eckes, a sophomore ADM and family consumer sciences education double-major.