Photo by Volker Corell.
FASHION EVENT
Otis 2013 Fashion Gala
For the 31st year, Otis College of Art and Design hosted its annual black-tie scholarship fête, held this year on May 4 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
Photo Gallery
Otis Benefit
OTIS 31st Annual Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, May 4, 2013.
Junior and senior fashion and design students presented their projects that were inspired by a specific theme constructed under the guidance of mentors, including renowned costume designer Bob Mackie and resort and luxury-wear designer Cynthia Vincent, as well as Marie Mazelis for Halston withthe Humane Society,Heather Brown for Urban Outfitters and Billabong.
Celebrity designers, industry ambassadors and educators attended the sit-down dinner that was part of a scholarship fundraiser. A silent auction featured some of the students’ top design work. The event raised $1 million. “We’re here to raise money so students can have opportunities in the future,” said Kirk Nix of KNA Designs, who was honored with the “Creative Vision Award.”
Sally Perrin of Perrin Paris was acknowledged with the “Style Icon Award” for her classic style. Perrin wore an Yves Saint Laurent haute couture dress, exuding a confident and elegant air. “The brand is very representational of my own style. It is very ladylike but also slightly rebellious,” she said.
Mackie said he thought style had to be personal. “Personal style has no age, no social status and can exist anywhere in life,” he observed.
In celebration of the Otis sustainability alliance with leading apparel brands—including Eddie Bauer, Nike, Patagonia, Quiksilver, Todd Oldham and Disney—creative leaders discussed the importance of reusable materials and leading design work with an educational value.
“It’s not just what you create, it’s what you leave behind,” said Otis trustee Roger Wyett, Nike’s vice president of action sports with responsibility.
The fashion show featured a diverse selection of the students’ work, an intense design process that involved everything from sketching to scheduling fittings with models.
The first presentation of the 11 juried collections was showcased by Marisol Gerona of Disney and Pixar, featuring colorful, character-driven costumes for the upcoming film “Monsters University.” Swimwear brand Billabong utilized repurposed fabric with South American textiles with a fun, vibrant edge, mixing in bright colors and ikat patterns.
Olympic gold medalist and award-winning athlete Venus Williams from EleVen mentored a sportswear collection with tennis apparel, while Heather Brown for Urban Outfitters played with a military gypsy look featuring plum-colored ponchos and army fatigue and camouflage outerwear pieces.
Claire Pettibone produced unconventional wedding gowns and nightwear, adding a romantic country flair. Mary Jo Bruno’s lingerie was inspired by a masquerade with delicate lace pieces and plush purple and red-color hues.
While junior students drew in a ready-to-wear vibe, seniors presented higher-end, couture garments. Some of the highlights included Christopher Wicks’1970s rock ’n’ roll men’s and women’s apparel with velvet bell-bottoms and military jackets.
Halston, with the Humane Society, used faux-fur vests, coats and elaborate skirts with gray, red, blue and charcoal-green colors.
Taking a similar direction, Betsy Heimann with Western Costume pulled from films such as “Almost Famous,” drawing in a 1970s appeal, but also added beautifully textured peplum dresses and clean forms with 1940s and 1950s inspirations.
Cynthia Vincent’s resort collection used recycled elements fit for an exotic vacation destination. The Bob Mackie collection showed off illustrious velvet capes, diamond-encrusted head pieces, and long, dramatic dresses with crystal beading.
