Tacoma School of the Arts senior Sena Kim buzzes around in a frilly, daffodilly top, plucking sweaters and shirts off of the clothing racks while the 2007 Daffodil Parade roars down Pacific Avenue: high school marching bands zim-zam ahead of lumbering, flower-laden floats carrying beaming teenage beauty queens; pirates from every sea swashbuckle through the crowds lining the street; and in a bizarre anti-smoking display, a pinstriped chain gang swings cigarettes through the air whilst dragging their shackles across the pavement. Kim and two other SOTA seniors (Andy Wright and Jill Mendoza), however, are the busiest bees of the whole daffodil season hive: Kim and crew must attend to Tacoma’s hipsters during store hours at UrbanX while planning one of the biggest fashion events of the year this Friday, April 27, at Club SOTA in downtown Tacoma.

Along with an already vibrant local music scene, Tacoma is fast becoming a place of colorful and inventive fashion, with local artists such as Daniel Blue and his Loyalty clothing line spearheading a 253-oriented, ultramodern urban style.

The SOTA Fresh Fashion Bash will feature student-designed apparel from American Apparel (“Sweatshop free!” Kim chimes) and is open to the entire community, with all proceeds, from the door to the sale of the sweet threads, going to the School of the Arts. The event will also feature performances by DJ Scout and Tacoma band Don’t Tell Sophie.

“We wanted a way to combine a lot of different mediums of art,” says Kim.

“Performance art, visual art, photography â€" to help support the Tacoma School of the Arts in a [nonexclusive] benefit. Please come!” â€" Michael Stasiak

[Club SOTA, Friday, April 27, 7 p.m., $8, 1117 Broadway, downtown Tacoma]