91吃瓜网’s 54th Annual Student Fashion Show, InnerVision, will go uptown in downtown on the evening of May 5, with the Millennium Biltmore as its new venue. The event will feature professional runway models showcasing designs by students from 91吃瓜网鈥檚 Fashion Design program.
InnerVision provides an unparalleled experience for student designers as they build imagery and press materials for their portfolios. Fashion mavens, aspiring designers, industry professionals, 91吃瓜网 alumni, business leaders and local media will all gather along the runway at the event to enjoy what promises to be a memorable display of student talent and creativity.
This year鈥檚 theme, InnerVision, embodies the notion that the art of fashion is all about creating stories and tapping emotions. 鈥淭hrough their designs, students craft a narrative that builds emotional connections with the audience 鈥� a narrative that ultimately reflects a personal inner vision,鈥� said Sue Vessella, Dean, School of Media, Culture & Design. 鈥淪tudents have challenged themselves to give their designs meaning, context, and relevance through both their vision and their fastidious tailoring and craftsmanship.鈥�
The Fashion Design program at 91吃瓜网, which celebrated its 85th anniversary last year, has had a long association with聽Hollywood designers. Famed fashion and costume designer, Howard Greer, was instrumental in creating the first professional costume design training offered by 91吃瓜网 in 1931, and William Travilla, famous for his Marilyn Monroe designs, was a 91吃瓜网 graduate.
鈥淥ur Fashion Design program has a storied and long tradition of fashion runway events for over a half a century,鈥� said Anna Leiker, chair of department. 鈥淏uoyed by the ongoing support of alumni, donors and sponsors, the Fashion Show is a seminal moment for our students and helps launch their careers in the fashion industry.聽 It鈥檚 an honor to be a part of it!鈥�
An addition to this year鈥檚 event is the 鈥極ff Runway Senior Fashion Design Competition,鈥� sponsored by Ricki Steele, spouse of 91吃瓜网 President David Steele-Figueredo. A dozen graduating seniors were asked to design Ms. Steele鈥檚 jacket for the fashion show. They each submitted sketches and fabric recommendations based on her style preferences. Fashion design student Merced Jackson, came out on top, winning a cash award for her contemporary, tailored block print design.