A&O Combines EDM and Fashion For ‘The Icebox’ Benefit

Aanika Sawhney/STITCH Magazine

Flashing lights in hues of magenta, royal blue and hot pink illuminated Downtown Evanston’s SPACE. Vibrant beats in both modern and throwback songs had international influences and activated moves on stage and off, all in typical Boiler Room fashion. 

Fashion was at the intersection of music and atmosphere at A&O’s charity concert last week on Feb. 6. Boiler Room musician DJ Anastazja headlined “The Icebox,” and attendees came dressed to dance and impress, inspired by theme words like “rave” and STITCH’s very own collaborative lookbook. 

Tickets for the concert sold out within about six hours and A&O offered them for free, encouraging students to support this year's benefit. Excitement and energy for the night fueled contributions to local nonprofit Interfaith Action of Evanston.

Weinberg freshman Angelina Ariaz said that Bienen senior Lucy Rubinstein’s, the opening performer known professionally as “r00bies4ever,” all-black outfit stood out among the other vibrant looks she saw in the crowd. 

“The way people were dressed made it feel more fun,” Ariaz said. “It made it more open, you could just go talk to anyone because while you're on campus, everyone's wearing big coats and it's more closed off.”

She said she thought the event was a “new and fresh” opportunity for NU students. Ariaz wore a big fur coat and pants to account for the cold weather outside but warmed up to the familiar Brazilian Funk played by DJ Anastazja. As a Brazilian student herself, Ariaz noticed students wearing sunglasses of all different shapes and sizes, something she says is very popular back home in the Brazilian music scene.

Medill sophomore Avery Leiderman decided to go to The Icebox influenced by her friends, who are either in A&O or follow House music, recognizing DJ Anastazja. She said she noticed sparkly statement pieces from her group and leaned into a casual, cool style, sporting cargo camo pants and a simple top, ready to dance.  

“There was definitely a diverse array of different outfits that people were wearing. I think the cool thing about a themed event is that everyone can interpret it in their own way and incorporate their own style into how they show up to the event,” Leiderman said. 

The STITCH and A&O lookbook collaboration was shared across Instagram three days before the concert to generate outfit ideas and excitement. A&O’s Co-Director of Marketing and Media, Charlotte Che, works with design and aesthetics consistently in her role. Her team wanted to engage the student body by encouraging an opportunity to “dress up.” 

“Fashion in the realm of House and Electronic Dance Music in general has a really important role, and I think it brought the entire vibe together,” Che said. 

Che herself styled leather and cargo pieces together. She said she’s noticed an emerging intersection of EDM and fashion trends that popped up here at NU. 

“These events are about expressing yourself, having a good time [and] doing something for a good cause. The fact that it all happened at one time is pretty important and I think that's very valuable that A&O made happen,” Leiderman said. 

STITCH captured our favorite looks from the event, many featuring bold colors, patterned bags and metallics in jewelry and otherwise to match. Look for our most recent post, @stitchfashion, on Instagram.