Last Thursday, San Diego State’s residence halls hosted the fourth annual Condom Fashion Show. With a goal of promoting safe sex, students volunteered to create outfits made entirely of condoms, then showcased the clothing down a catwalk placed on Cuicacalli walkway.
Celena Martinez, a residential adviser in Tenochca Residence hall, has coordinated this event for the past four years and understands the importance of the program.
“Not only residents who live in the halls, but everyone on campus, has a fun way of learning about sexual education,” Martinez said.
Through monetary and product donations from Planned Parenthood, the Calpulli Center and Residence Hall Association, 4,000 non-lubricated condoms were allotted to students for the event. One thousand lubricated condoms were handed out during the event, along with edible lubricant. Approximately 150 students watched the show and entered a raffle to win prizes consisting of sexual merchandise.
Representatives from Planned Parenthood tabled at the event and gave away free condoms. According to Jennifer Kulka, psychology junior and intern at Planned Parenthood, its purpose is to show SDSU students contraceptives are readily available on and near campus. Many students feel uneasy discussing their sexual practices with others, but Planned Parenthood strives to make its facilities comforting environments.
“We (Planned Parenthood) really pride ourselves in being completely confidential,” Kulka said.
The theme of the fashion show was superheroes. Martinez, along with three other judges, ranked the top clothing designs. Participants were judged on creativity, confidence on the walkway and overall use of condoms.
The winner of the fashion show was political science sophomore Katie Foster. She dressed up as Captain America, using red and blue condoms, along with a neatly crafted condom shield. Some of the other contestants dressed up as Thor, Batman and Robin.
Three female students dressed up as The Powerpuff Girls. They used 225 condoms to create all three outfits.
All the contestants expressed creativity through the outfits they designed. Martinez was pleased with the turnout of the event. The Condom Fashion Show was a successful, quirky way to show students practicing safe sex and using protection is an easy step toward a healthy sexual lifestyle.
