Brooks' Best
Brooks College, in Long Beach, Calif., recognized its best student designers with a ranging fashion presentation called “Equinox,” held Dec. 21 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
The show offered a look at converging styles, from the classic to the avant-garde. More than 50 students participated and showed their creations in a variety of categories including eveningwear, career, sportswear, bridal and day dresses. Awards were presented in each category. The students’ works were judged by industry professionals including Chris Wicks of Defiance, Rose Marie Migliazzo and Sarah Livingston of Romy M, Cynthia Holvey of Cynthia H., Freda Kunin of Fredala.com and Kevin Hayes of Tadashi.
Student designer Kaliko Austin won Best of Show for his daring multi-layered dresses featuring animal prints and intricate detailing with seashells and other natural materials. Amber Piehl showed body-skimming dresses detailed with tulle to win the shortevening- dress category, and Regina Sciacca showed deep colors and fringes on full-length gowns, winning the long-evening-dress category.
Careerwear winner Jose Hernandez offered crinkle- knit pant and skirt sets; Liliu Aulai crafted asymmetrical dresses with cultural prints to win the daydress category; Stephanie Sarmiento’s soft T-shirts and bottoms were judged tops in sportswear; and Nicole Miyamoto won the avant-garde division, showing a two-piece retro outfit featuring flared pants with eyelet and lacing up the sides and a short top detailed with appliqueacute;s.
Rounding out the winners were Alejandra Sandoval in bridalwear, Melissa Cudworth for outstanding sewing, and Caleb Flook for draping.
“The students really outdid themselves this year,” said Brooks’ fashion chair, Mary Ann Gale. “It was a great show.”
—Robert McAllister
