Rock blockin’ beats

9:50

If you’re just tuning in (and if you are, where have you been?) then here’s where we are.

There was a fabulous cocktail party, then a spectacular runway show, and I’ve just uploaded a gazillion photos, so you can check them out.

Now, as I sit here fiddling with photos, there is, just next door, a dance party going on. No, really, I’m still in the tent, just me and my-girl-Friday Katlin McNally. Well there’s also a crew of people waiting for us to get out of their way so they can start breaking down the tent—tomorrow it will be like this never happened, except we have all of this photographic evidence.

I can hear the bass thumping as DJ Rainer works the crowd up. BTW: props to Rainer who also mixed all of the runway music.

The designers are in there, finally able to let loose and celebrate a year of truly hard work. Tomorrow they will graduate. Tonight they play.

I think it’s time for me to get a glass of my own and toast to our designers, sponsors, volunteers, faculty, staff, vendors—well EVERYONE who made this night so very magical.

Thank you and good night.

The show is about to start.

8:50

OK, we made it, we’re here, and boy is it PACKED.

The house lights are down, and there’s a fabulous pre-show video (produced by Ologie) playing. And, the lights come back as WBNS-10TV’s Kristyn Hartman takes the stage with Michael and Arlene Weiss who are representing our runway sponsor, EXPRESS. They will cut the big red ribbon to kick off the show.

One of these days I’m going to need to ask someone: where exactly does one buy giant scissors?

Up first is six looks from Rachel Chertoff. The gorgeous knit pieces in this collection were painstakingly hand crocheted. I love how she subtly shapes her clothes to frame, and accentuate different areas of the figure.

Next are designs by Leah Sloane Kennedy followed by Jazzmin Evans. While both are showcasing classic red dresses their approaches are distinctly different.

Side note: the make-up and hair by Mukha Custom Cosmetics and Jolie Laide is the finishing touch that gives our show that professional, fashion-week feel.

custom designed fabric

Antoiné Slater’s looks follow. Her African prints are bold and work well with the strong, structured lines in her designs—her patterned pants and jacket are fierce!

Sarah Frederick also brings us some beautifully constructed pants, but her looks are softer. Her color pallet brings in more creams and blues. There’s a lot of detail work in Sarah’s collection—and she was tapped to create a custom piece for Ms. Kristy Eckert from Capital Style (who looks stunning in the Frederick original).

Our next two designers, Karla Norquist and Jess Betz bring a tropical, beachy vibe to the runway.

Point of interest. This year I’m seeing more pants, shorts, jackets, and men’s looks than past years. Anyone who has watched Project Runway can appreciate that well-fitted pants, shorts, and sleeves are quite difficult to achieve. This crop of designers really challenged themselves and it shows. Ngockhanh Ngo is a perfect example. His Americana-inspired menswear collection is meticulously constructed, fits perfectly, and shows an impressive attention to detail.

Danielle Nicole Jones also bring meticulously constructed garments to the runway, and they are paired with strong vibrant prints that she designed and produced. The ankle-length gown, in particular is a delicious surprise.

Katlin Hatfield’s armor-inspired look is highly structured as Kate Elaine Pohrt’s. Kate has carefully pieced together unique, metallic fabrics to create women and men’s wear that is art-deco-inspired, yet futuristic.

Structure plays a role in Jennica Gray’s look, but the end result feels soft and flows—in part because of the seamless way she has pieced together contrasting colors.

The collection

Nicole Chhuom brings a more neutral palette to the runway, which provides continuity to her two otherwise divergent looks.

Another designer who did mostly menswear and who designed his own patterned fabrics, Dax Thomas Kauser, brings us an edgy, modern, cohesive collection. Each look is beautiful and distinct and yet there is still a sense of unity between his pieces.

Olivia Brezinski’s look combines sleek leather with soft feathers, giving it a goth-princess feel.

In contrast, Phoebe Isaac’s looks are celestial with their soothing blue tones. The long-sleeved, floor-length dress, is particularly stunning as the model turns and we see the cut-out back.

Old world meets new world with Tina Hughes’ collection. There is definitely a European feel to her collection, and yet there are pieces that have a distinctly vintage American flavor.

Kassie Haji brings us a nice range of garments in her five-piece collection, but what really stands out is her menswear look. The suit is sleek, modern, and original.

Stunning

From Katharine E. Hire’ sassy patterned jacket with the triangular cut out in the back to her stunning, purple, a-symmetrical dress; this collection is a crowd pleaser. Point of interest: she bought her fabrics in Africa while on a medical mission trip.

Olivia Mitchell’s architecture-inspired collection is a futuristic wonder coming down the runway and is a perfect segue to Krista Guanlao Sison’s looks. I’ve been looking forward to seeing one piece of hers in particular. Her collection was inspired by a Spanish cathedral, and the last look in the show is truly wearable art—like a moving sculpture.

Twenty-one designers, 66 looks, and now we get to the part of the show that always makes me tear up. Each designer comes out to be recognized. The riotous applause of the crowd and the love they are showing to these young designers is palpable. And as each designer finishes their loop on the runway they are met by their fearless leader, Fashion Design Chair Suzanne Cotton, who gives them flowers. The designers now return the gesture and present Ms. Cotton with her own bouquet—seriously, tears here.

As the audience begins to settle down Kristyn Hartman takes the stage once more, and presents Katharine Hire with the Easton Fashion award, sponsored by Easton Town Center. With that there is only one thing left to do…DANCE!

See you in a bit.

Leaders in fashion!

7:20

I’m not going to lie. I’ve got The Great Gatsby on the brain, and I am anticipating bearing witness to our sumptuous little pre-party.

Men and women dressed to the nines, gorgeous plates piled high with delicious bites both savory and sweet, and free-flowing libations—what’s not to love.

I wonder if there will be any Gatsby-inspired attire? Or, for that matter how about some mod looks inspired by this season of Mad Men?

Doors will open for the VIP pre-party sponsored by Nationwide and Justice & Brothers in just a few minutes.

I must note: This space went from garage to club in a matter of days thanks to Ologie, Lasting Impressions, and many, many CCAD staffers (our facilities’ crew are wizards). The food looks amazing (thank you Cameron Mitchell Catering). I saw the menu a few weeks ago—my mouth watered just reading it. And, bartenders are ready to shake up a Vodka Runway (our signature cocktail, thank you Middle West Spirits).

And me? I’m ready to take it all in.

8 p.m.

Um, sorry, I’m afraid I got a little sidetracked. The people watching is just TOO good. When the first wave of partiers arrived, the energy level went from 0 to 60 in less than three minutes. I have a great view of the photo station—where the fashionable show off their looks for our photographer.

So many fun pieces coming through. Fantastic black-and-white patterned dress that definitely has a 20s vibe, and a strappy version of go-go boots with a bright cocktail length dress. Fantastic!

A woman in a stunning off the shoulder deep-blue gown just passed.

I think I just saw a blond version of Megan Draper. Gorgeous 60s-inspired mini that is sooooo Megan.

Our prez, Mr. Denny Griffith has just stopped by to say hello–dapper as always. Speaking of dapper, our head of security Wallace Tanksley is sporting a mighty fine lime green bow tie.

Seeing lots of leg and strappy gladiator shoes. Denim is making a strong showing, which is right on trend with some of the collections that this crowd will see in an hour.

Orange, lime green, and black-and-white are dominating the looks this evening.

To the guy in the hat and vest, thank you. And to all of our bow-tie wearing gentleman, we applaud you.

As I look around I am not disappointed. I’m seeing great fashion, but I”m also seeing women and men that are dressing to suite their unique style—there are no cookie-cutters here.

8:15

And now they are asking everyone to start heading into the tent so the show can begin. Hopefully as they sit, they’ll have a moment to flip through the Lookbook sponsored by Abercrombe & Fitch. It is stunning thanks to the photographic talents of Nick Fancher and the creative direction from Ologie.

Ok, we are going to get some photos up and then head over to the tent to continue …

Thanks to our title sponsor Limited Brands Foundation

7 p.m.

This is my third year live blogging from our fashion event, and each year I have paused, just before the party starts, to give thanks.

This year I want to get straight to the point—to naming names, as it were.

CCAD is honored and grateful to have such wonderful partners. Each year we go out and ask organizations and individuals to support this event and help us raise money for scholarships. Each year we are humbled by the response.

Below are our 2013 partners. These are individuals and companies that not only support CCAD, but they show a real commitment to making the Columbus community a better place.

Title Sponsor: Limited Brands Foundation

Runway Sponsor: EXPRESS

VIP Cocktail Reception Sponsors: Nationwide and Justice & Brothers

Easton Fashion Award Sponsor: Easton Town Center

Fashion Lookbook Sponsor: Abercrombie & Fitch

Couture Sponsors:  Diamond Cellar, Huntington Bank, Lane Bryant, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Polaris Fashion Place, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP,  R.G. Barry/Dearfoams, and THE LIMITED

Host Committee, chaired by Peg Mativi & Donald Dick: Dana & Mitch Acock, Jakki & Jerry Allen, Pam & Jack Beeler, Teresa & Brian Biernat, Kimberly A. Blackwell, W. Daniel Cordray, Loann W. Crane, Bev & Bob Darwin, Steve & Lynnda Maria Davis, Diane & Andrew Dunn, Phaedra & Michael Edwards, Karen & Michael Fiorile, Erica & Micky Fullen, Nedra Patison Hadley & Alissa Hadley Hines, Fran Horowitz & Michael Bonadies, Alexis Jacobs, Andrew Johnson, Patty & Jerry Jurgensen, Stephanie & Adam Lewin, Tim Maurer & Sanito Mendoza, Jamie & Bill Reinbolt, Arlene & Michael Weiss, and Lyn Williams

Creative Direction: Ologie

Media Sponsors: CD102.5 and Capital Style

In-Kind Sponsors: Baesman Group, Cameron Mitchell Catering, Details and Florabunda Designs Inc., Heidelberg Distributing Company, Lasting Impressions Event Rental, Live! Technologies, LLC, Mukha Custom Cosmetics, Mumm Napa, and Nick Fancher

In-Kind Supporters: Jolie Laide, Middle West Spirits, Pepsi Cola Bottling of Columbus, and Rainer/S77

Nicole Chhuom. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

As a young girl, Nicole Chhuom became fascinated by the drawings of the female human form her uncle actively sketched. The lines and shapes of the human body not only intrigued her, but also made her desperately want to learn how to create her own sketches.

“I finally asked him to teach me how to draw,” she remembers. “I just thought the human form was beautiful.”

Nicole would sketch and sketch hundreds of variations of the human shape, getting better and better with each stoke. All of a sudden she started to add unique clothing designs onto those illustrations. Later she turned those designs into actual garments for her Barbie dolls using scraps of fabric from her parents’ closet or from old socks. She even created her own version of fashion plates.

“We didn’t have a lot of money when I was little and what toys we did have were from thrift stores, so most of the time I would have to think of something creative,” said Nicole. “I decided to take old magazines and newspapers and clip out outfits and put them together and make them into my own paper dolls—that’s how it all started.”

She later attended a local career center and developd her sewing and advanced art skills. It was there that she learned about CCAD’s fashion program and decided to apply. With all that she’s learned though, she continues to rely on those early sketching skills, especially when she started to research her senior collection.

“My strengths as a designer include design concept, illustration, and the styling part of it,” she notes. “I love mixing and matching pieces together and making people happy and comfortable in what they wear.”

In fact, those elements were key in even choosing her final fabrics for her collection.

“I am so particular when it comes to fabrics. It has to be comfortable, nice to the touch, and I want it to relate to me,” said Nicole.  “I don’t like a lot of prints and I’m very simple in my fabric choices.”

From Nicole’s sketchbook, photo by Kristen M. Foley

However, what wasn’t simple in this process was creating her final collection garments. She laughs about it now, but she admits she could have easily created 10 or more garments this year because she kept changing her mind about what she wanted her collection to be. In essence, she kept starting over.

Her final collection expresses dichotomy. In her written thesis Nicole describes being inspired by fragmented mirrors she saw in the Harajuku shopping district in Tokyo.

“The reflection within the mirrors itself strikes me the most,” Nicole wrote. “The repetitive and defined lines, the edges and soft curves within the reflections were all of the things that inspired my autumn collection.”

She also notes a fascination with femininity versus masculinity. She chose a neutral color palette, and interpreted her soft circular shapes as representing the feminine, while structured lines and triangular shapes symbolized the masculine.

“I’m happy with my collection now, but if I could make more changes I would,” said Nicole. “I sometimes felt like I was doing things to make everyone else happy…. I can’t just please other people. I have to please myself, too.”

Nicole’s designs will join her fellow seniors work on the runway in just a few short weeks at the 2013 Senior Fashion Show. If you were lucky enough to grab a ticket you’ll enjoy the future of fashion at its best and a pretty amazing party, too!

Nicole Chhuom is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of West High School.

Jazzmin Evans. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Jazzmin Evans always strived to be different, especially when it came to her fashion choices. As a teen, not only did her desire to be distinctive influence her retail purchases, but when she couldn’t find what she wanted in the store she started sketching her own designs and turned to her seamstress aunt to help her create her own trends.

“Fashion is a way to express yourself and I’m a person who loves to be different,” notes Jazzmin. “Fashion is different and there’s no right or wrong way to do fashion.”

Hearing her stories about her fashion focus as a youth, it’s not surprising to hear that Jazzmin’s favorite part of the design process is still trend forecasting.

“I love the entire process of starting a new trend. It’s how I can express myself—feelings, personal experiences, my surroundings, music, and just everything that inspires me,” she said. “I’m easily inspired and get a great feeling from being expressive.”

For her senior collection, Jazzmin turned her attention to an Egyptian theme. She was attracted to the bold patterns and the rich colors of red, white, and gold. The theme came to her while she was searching for her inspiration last summer. At first she wanted something that was more sculptured, but eventually moved toward a look that allowed the clothing to drape on the human form.

Jazzmin on set at the lookbook photoshoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I’m proud of my decision to be bold by color and design,” she said. “I’m stepping out of the box, and in my designs I’m aiming for a high-fashion audience.”

Jazzmin accumulated so much fabric during her initial research that one of her biggest challenges this year was deciding which pieces to use in her designs.

“I went to Michigan, Cleveland, Miami and Chicago to buy fabric,” she said. “I didn’t find exactly what I wanted here and I didn’t want to settle. Everything I got had gold in it, too. I ended up with a lot of fabric left over that I didn’t use.”

Not settling seems to be a theme with Jazzmin. She came to CCAD with a sincere desire to not only learn the basics of creating her own three-dimensional designs, but to dive into illustration, pattern making, construction, surface design, and even electronic design. She felt CCAD gave her an abundance of options that would ultimately allow her to fulfill her fashion dreams.

“I just knew I wanted to study fashion design and I was patient with myself and didn’t rush,” she reflects.  “I even gave myself an extra year to graduate to retake classes, to get a full understanding and more experience to better myself. That was one of the best decisions I made since being at CCAD.”

Jazzmin’s elegant collection will grace the 2013 Senior Fashion Show runway on May 10. Don’t miss out on this amazing annual event, there is still time to get tickets.

Jazzmin Evans is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of Independence High School.

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Olivia Brezinski. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Olivia Brezinski has always been a lover of clothes and everything they represented. In fact, in high school she made it a personal goal every year to never repeat an outfit. She succeeded.

“It’s changed a lot since then though, as I’m not that strict about it anymore,” she laughs. “I did achieve it though, which is scary.”

While the daily styling of her personal wardrobe was a priority back then, she also started to focus on the technical side of her passion.

I took every home economics class my school had to offer from seventh grade until senior year,” said Olivia. “I was very fortunate that once I got to high school there was actually a sewing construction class, and that is where I began altering patterns and making real clothing.”

Even with her sincere fondness for fashion and her construction skills growing stronger, Olivia didn’t consider either as a future career. It wasn’t until her mom posed the suggestion that Olivia started to research various art schools around the country.

“Then one day my mom came home from work and told me she found a design school in Columbus, CCAD” she said. “This was it. I found my school. I immediately requested information, took a campus tour, and applied. Here I am four years later in my last semester ever, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Detail of the feathers used throughout Olivia’s collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

As Olivia planned for her senior collection at CCAD, she found herself listening to the music of Lana Del Rey. One particular song, “Dark Paradise” started to encapsulate the sketches she was working on. A combination of soft and hard; stiff and feathery. Yes, feathery. There are lots of feathers throughout her collection.

“I have always done sketches with feathers and I felt like this was finally my chance to use them,” she said. “It’s about the dimension that feathers have and they just take it to a different level than normal materials.

“I knew I wanted to use feathers in some shoulder pieces,” she said. “I always draw strong shoulders and I thought feathers would accentuate them.”

Olivia incorporated the feathers as well as chiffon and leather into her pieces; each with their own strong and dark personality.

Olivia admits that one challenge throughout the process was completing the entire collection and creating final, finished pieces for the runway.

“Up until this point I had never completely lined a garment, and I realized how much time and work it takes,” she said. “That was probably one of the biggest challenges I had to work through.”

Olivia’s dramatic “Dark Paradise” collection will take the stage on Friday, May 10. There are still some tickets left, but get them soon.

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Leah Sloane Kennedy. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Leah Sloane Kennedy’s love of fashion started as early as fourth grade when she would carry around a little sketchbook full of rough drawings of various garments. As she got older she came to a personal realization of what fashion really meant to her.

“It was not just items of clothing I was putting on my body, but that they were a part of me,” said Leah. “Fashion is art one wears and that was the most beautiful idea to me.”

While Leah is obsessed with the details behind a design, one of her favorite parts of the process is coming up with concepts.

“Once I get the ball rolling with my inspiration the ideas just keep coming,” said Leah. “I feel the most fulfilled when I can lay out really quality designs that come from my heart and mind.”

Having so many ideas is a good thing; however, Leah admits she struggled earlier in the year with even starting some of her garments because she didn’t like the direction her initial collection concept was going.

“I was just kind of lost in it,” said Leah. “I was pressuring myself to do something, and it just wasn’t working.”

Leah took a step back, reevaluated her designs and completely stopped what she was doing mid-semester and started over. The collection is now appropriately entitled “The Collection Reborn.”

“I saw Rear Window with Grace Kelley and was drawn to her silhouettes by Dior and loved everything about it,” she said. As Leah researched the film she found connections between Hitchcock’s 1954 suspenseful drama about voyeurism and the political climate of the ’50s, in particular McCarthyism.

Leah’s sketchbook. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I researched the whole meaning behind that film and the whole red scare,’” she said. “It started leaking into my own Russian heritage and I wanted to bring that out.”

After starting over and receiving positive feedback on her final pieces, Leah is even more confident in not only her collection, but also her career choice.

“I kind of feel like it’s that part of the year where I’m reaching a point of ‘what am I going to do with the rest of my life?’” reflects Leah. “Hearing that I have what it takes really felt good. It reaffirmed ideas that I kind of lost in all of the stuff that was senior year.”

As the year comes to an end, she is also happy to offer advice to those students who will soon embark on the same journey she is close to completing.

“I would tell them to use every resource given to them, try your very hardest even if it’s not your favorite subject,” Leah advises. “Be honest and true to yourself, and put your heart into all of your work and love it with all of your being.”

Leah’s Russian-inspired collection will grace the runway on May 10. Don’t be left out. Grab your tickets now.

Leah Kennedy is a native of Ypsilanti, MI, and a graduate of Ypsilanti High School.

Jennica Gray. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Jennica Gray was so excited about finally being able to design what she wanted without limitations that she came up with five different concepts during the summer break before her senior year. Luckily, she was able to put together a collection using the best aspects of all of those original concepts. She refers to her inspiration as “structural delicacy.”

“It’s based around the more organic shapes in nature and how they live harmoniously with more structural shapes,” said Jennica. “More specifically focusing on the organic curve of the leaf in opposition to the ridged, sharp line of a crystal formation.”

As elated as she was that she didn’t have a theme to guide her collection, Jennica soon found out that having too much freedom was even more of a challenge.

“Being able to make up our own theme was wonderful, but then I realized ‘wow, I can do anything’ and it’s hard to begin on an infinite amount of options,” she said. “I wanted to challenge myself, but still show my aesthetic and the end needed to be fabulous. That was a lot of pressure I put on myself way too soon.”

Two of Jennica’s looks being photographed for the lookbook. Photo by Katlin McNally

Jennica began by researching and pulling inspiration for the collection from all aspects of her surroundings, both natural and structured. She then tried to take those two very different worlds and find a way to connect them harmoniously in her designs.

“It was then about morphing them together and taking aspects from each that I liked,” she notes. “Putting them together and making it work.”

Jennica is particularly proud of the line work in her collection. She wanted to create interesting lines throughout the pieces that would be viewed as fresh and innovative.

The result is four finished pieces for the show that have a unified look, even though she used nearly 10 different fabrics in her pieces—everything from leather to silk to lace. Jennica also challenged herself to work with a minimal color palette of neutrals, greys, and mint; which contributes to the cohesive feel of her collection.

“I’m extremely proud of the risks I took as these are some of the most complex pieces I’ve ever created,” said Jennica. “Knowing how much labor, heart’ and soul went into it and that the collection turned out better than I [expected] was personally gratifying.”

The 2013 Senior Fashion Show is almost here. Will you have a seat to see Jennica Gray’s unique designs? Only if you have a ticket. Hurry before they are gone.

Jennica Gray is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School.

Phoebe Isaac. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Phoebe Isaac searched and searched for a word that would encompass the inspiration behind her collection. She finally found it in a Japanese word: yugen.

“There isn’t a translation for it, but there should be because it’s such a powerful word. I wanted to choose a word that identified breathlessness or when something takes your breath away,” said Phoebe.

“It’s this feeling that you connect with the universe. For me it’s when I’m on an airplane and I can press my face to the window and just sort of be in the clouds, or when I’m laying on the ground and looking up at the stars when I’m in Maine and looking from one side of the sky to the other,” she said.

Phoebe used a resist technique when creating her fabrics. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Phoebe expects that everyone will conjure a different emotion upon viewing her collection, but she hopes it will be one of transcendence. The designs are otherworldly with her uniquely dyed fabric, which showcases her celestial and star-scape inspirations.

“I actually dyed my own fabric and it was supposed to be a loose interpretation of the stars,” she notes.

She crafted the design by first using a “resist” technique with a tjanting tool. She then hand dyed the fabric with various vibrant colors.

“The tool has hot wax in it with a little spout and you just press it on the fabric,” said Phoebe. “I put it on wherever I didn’t want the color. Then I dyed it the dark color first and added the other colors in various spots.”

Phoebe never really specifically pictured herself pursuing an education in fashion; however, she did know she would eventually end up at an art school.

Celestial views were among Phoebe’s inspirations. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I’ve loved drawing since the day I could pick up a pencil. My mom, dad, and stepmom would hang countless, pointless drawings that I had done on the fridge, they never stopped letting me express myself,” she remembers. “As I grew up, they continued to encourage my artistic nature and as a teen, I began checking out my favorite Sailor Moon comics from the Columbus Metropolitan Library and I would go home and draw the Sailor Scouts until I couldn’t possibly draw anymore. It was around this time that I became interested in fashion.”

Looking back on those early drawings Phoebe can identify the progress of her talents and how the intricate outfits would improve with each new sketch. Even today she can look back at previous designs and garments and see their improvements.

You can see Phoebe’s final progression come down the runway on May 10 at the 2013 Senior Fashion Show. Do you have your tickets yet?

Phoebe Isaac is a native of Lexington, OH, and a graduate of Lexington High School.

Jess Betz wants to create clothes that make people feel beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

When you first meet Jess Betz, you instantly recognize that her personality is as bright and colorful as her senior designs, and there is a positive energy that simply radiates from her. It’s no wonder that her goal is to change the way people feel about themselves through her designs.

“As a girl growing up in a world that is so focused on the outer appearances I began to explore the world of fashion design,” she said. “It was at that moment that I found my calling, and since then it has been my mission to create clothes that make people feel beautiful not only on the outside, but more importantly on the inside.”

After completing her associate’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, she took some time off and began to experiment with painting fabrics and decided she wanted to learn more about textile art. Her aunt, who lives in Columbus, told her about CCAD. She knew instantly it was the place for her, especially when she learned of the school’s surface design classes. Ever since then, Jess has come to love all aspects of the fashion design process, but still gravitates toward the surface design lab and creating fabrics using dying techniques such as shibori and batiking.

Jess used hand-dying & painting techniques on her fabrics. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“Designing my own fabrics is such a peaceful and tranquil part of the process that allows me to express my true nature,” notes Jess.

That same tranquility is reflected in her ocean and tropical fish inspired designs. As a child, she remembers vacationing in the Florida Keys with her family and watching her father fish.

“I remember dangling my feet off of the dock above the endless sea and being amazed by the beautiful creatures that swam beneath the glistening surface,” she says. “As a child I wished I could wear clothes that reflected the patterns and textures of fish, but what I did not know is that my wish would one day come true.”

Jess was inspired by the ocean and tropical fish. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Her tie-dyed and hand-painted fabrics are as lively as the reflections of her youth. The unique use of color and patterns make the designs seem to float. It’s a look that she describes as modern hippie.

“Some days I feel as if I am living in one of my own reveries, but realize that they are real. I could not be more proud of myself and my classmates for never giving up on our true callings in life,” says Jess. “Now, the only thing left that I have to wish for is that my clothing will inspire people to treat our oceans and the environment with more care, so that we can continue to cherish all of the beauty that life has to offer.”

Do you have your tickets yet for the May 10 Senior Fashion Show? Don’t miss out on the fun. Order your tickets today.

Jess Betz is a native of Toledo, OH, and a graduate of St. Ursula Academy.

Danielle Nicole Jones was inspired by the majesty of palm trees for her “Royal Trees” collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Last summer, Danielle Nicole Jones found herself alone in Florida while completing an internship with Chicos. Her son and family were home in Ohio; therefore, she discovered she suddenly had a lot of time on her hands. She used that time to search for her senior collection inspiration and found it unexpectedly in a palm tree.

“Palm trees struck me first with their outer beauty. They amazed me in their beautiful stature: a strong large trunk but free flowing at the top with the palm leaves,” she said. “I watched them as they went through the vicious tropical storms of Florida and I loved how no matter how hard the wind blew, the trunk stayed strong. While the leaves blew, the tree almost never tore down completely.”

Danielle found the palm to be almost a metaphor for her life.

Danielle used her sketches to design and produce her own prints. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“The meaning of palm trees is victorious, growth, and triumph—all true to my journey of life thus far. I felt this was the perfect opportunity to use this as a symbol, to speak to my victory. No matter how beat down I may have gotten through life’s circumstances, I will get back up and shine beautifully,” said Danielle.  “The fallen pieces of my leaves are only a testament of the storms I’ve weathered. I am a mother, a designer, a warrior, and I am victorious—A royal tree.”

Before coming to CCAD, Danielle earned an associate’s degree in graphic design and started creating designs for T-shirts for family and friends. That sparked a desire to study fashion in a deeper way.

“I’ve always admired clothing with the fancy prints and patterns and I wondered what would happen if my graphics experience and fashion could somehow marry and I could create wonderfully fun clothes,” said Danielle.

During her internship at Chicos she had the opportunity to work with the Computer Aided Design (CAD) department, which designs prints and patterns.

Danielle adjusts one of her looks before a photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

The experience inspired her to design her own prints for her collection.

The collection, aptly named “Royal Tree,” includes an assortment of prints created from the sketches and images captured during Danielle’s summer in Florida. Creating and producing her own patterned fabric added another challenge to her design process. The results; however, are stunning, and she’s found an area of fashion design that she’d like to pursue professionally.

“Ultimately I would love to be over a CAD team that deals with print, art, and color. Or, [work on] a trend team that travels and researches—drawing inspiration from all around the world,” said Danielle.

Be sure to check out Danielle Nicole Jones’ “Royal Tree” collection during the 2013 Senior Fashion Show on May 10. Get your tickets now before it’s too late.

Danielle Nicole Jones is a native of Westerville, OH, and a graduate of Westerville South High School.

Josh and the “happy trays” at Middle West Spirits.

The story of this year’s fashion-show cocktail has two parts. Act I occurred on a cloudy day in March when my colleagues and I quietly snuck out… ahem, I mean purposefully went out to meet the lovely gentlemen from Middle West Spirits (MWS).

I got to do this last year. Sometimes my job simply rocks (there’s an on-the-rocks joke in here somewhere, but I can’t find it).

This year we were invited to do the cocktail tasting at MWS, which I personally prefer. If you haven’t been, go to one of their tours. It’s hard to come by a group of people more passionate about what they do, and seeing where the magic happens is not only cool, but it smells really good in there when they are making the mash—like a bakery.

At a rustic wooden table under a fantastic chandelier, Josh set up two trays with the ingredients for two distinctly different drinks—I call them the happy trays.

If I had reviewed the ingredients ahead of time I would have told you before the tasting which cocktail I liked best.

I would have been wrong.

One option used the OYO stone fruit vodka (which I have a mad passion for) and champagne (um, HELLO, champagne). The second option used the OYO classic vodka and grapefruit. I hate grapefruit.  I mean I REALLY hate grapefruit.

A Vodka Runway

I’m not being subtle here, so you can probably guess which drink I ASSUMED I would like better. As I mentioned above: I was wrong. Apparently I LOVE grapefruit if you mix it with vodka and St. Germain Elderflower liqueur.

Side question: does it count as a fruit serving if you mix it with vodka?

So we chose a drink that is a fun little twist on a greyhound, but it really needed a special event-night name (just like I need special event-night shoes).

Last year we didn’t bother to come up with a name for our Middle West Spirits cocktail, and that was sad. This year, we looked to a team of dedicated experts to help us Christen our new baby: our host committee.

And thus we arrive at Act II, which took place quite recently on a warm, sunny April evening.

Let me set the scene: It’s 5 o’clock in the hour of happy, and gathered at CCAD (in an undisclosed location) is a selection of dignitaries from our host committee. I’m not going to lie, they are a rowdy bunch.

Their mission: to liberally sample our event-night cocktail, and then name it.

They took their task seriously. Well, maybe “seriously” isn’t the best word… they were dedicated in their work. Yeah, that’s better.

There was some lively debate (and googling to ensure that we weren’t stealing an existing name), but in the end a name suggested by our committee chair Peg Mativi was the clear choice.  On May 10 at THE fashion event in Cbus, you can enjoy a Vodka Runway.

That is, if you get your tickets before they sell out.

Katlin Hatfield found inspiration in armor for her senior collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Last summer, Katlin Hatfield became fascinated with armor—the shape, the size, the materials used to construct it, and why it was worn. The more she learned, the more she realized there was a deeper meaning rooted in her fascination.

“The reality of society being so in denial about vulnerability attracted me. We don’t like to be perceived as vulnerable, so we have this armor,” said Katlin. “That’s what I really wanted to do with my collection, so I built these really structured armored pieces that would draw you in, but keep you at a distance at the same time.”

Katlin has always found ways to create. Growing up in a rural area she did not always have easy access to art classes; therefore, she utilized her surroundings and created her own art education.

“I grew up across the street from a garage and behind the garage there was tons of stuff that we would gather,” she remembered. “My brother and sister and I would go build random things. I loved to create anything, whether it was fabric, wood, or metal; I just loved to create things.”

When she was just nine years old, Katlin’s grandmother surprised her with a toy sewing machine. She was so enthralled with it that her mom had trouble even getting her out of her room for dinner. She also loved to draw and since she loved to sew, clothing was always the main subject.

Katlin used wool and leather in her armor-inspired, structured looks.

“When I realized that fashion design was a career option I decided that it was what I wanted to do,” she noted.  “I learned about CCAD when I was 15 while I was looking at all the fashion design programs in the states. I visited a few institutions and private colleges and decided that CCAD, with its amazing community of artists and talented professors, was where I wanted to be.”

Katlin also found that her foundation classes at CCAD were just as important as her fashion design classes, if not sometimes even more enlightening.

“Starting at the beginning is really important and helpful. Plus, if you take [foundation classes] earlier, it really helps to conceptualize things,” she said. “From a fine arts perspective it helps you come up with pretty unique designs, which results in more consistency in your collection.”

When it came to Fashion Design classes, for Katlin patternmaking was something that just clicked with her.

“I love how you could take simple math and in a very technical process draw it out,” she muses. “Now it’s like a meditative process for me because it’s a nice, slow, and meticulous process. Once you learn how to do it, it becomes an essential process.”

Katlin’s armor-inspired pieces will grace the runway on May 10. Will you be granted entrance to the show? It only takes a ticket to be part of the magic. Get yours today.

Katlin Hatfield is a native of Adamsville, OH, and a graduate of Tri-Valley High School.

Karla Norquist created tropical-themed summer cruise wear look. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Karla Norquist’s love of fashion was uncovered when she was just a tween. She completed her first fashion sketch at age 11, even though at the time she admits she really didn’t know what she was doing.

“I liked an outfit in my mom’s fashion magazine so I drew it,” she remembers. “Then I started drawing a version of what I would want. When I showed my mom she told me I should look into fashion as a career.”

Karla still has that first sketch. It’s a constant reminder of what she loves and what she wants from the future, including her senior collection, which she considers “tropical jungle wear.”

In her designer brief she notes that she “wanted to capture the energy and creativity of youthful street fashion through silhouette and color” and “based on upcoming trends, chose a tropical theme for spring and summer cruise wear.”

Karla was also inspired by street fashion. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Just as Karla’s relationship with fashion started young, so did her education at CCAD. An alumna of the Saturday Morning Art Classes program as well College PreView, Karla quickly learned that there was a place for her in the CCAD community.

Karla notes that she also chose CCAD because she had the option to take classes from different fields of study. If she had attended a fashion-only school she wouldn’t have been able to take classes in ceramics, oil painting, or advertising, all of which she felt were essential to her creativity.  However, fashion has always been a guiding force in her art direction

As she has developed her skills in fashion design, Karla found that by draping the fabric on a form first, she would get a better idea of what she wanted to create.

Karla started at CCAD young in the Saturday Morning Art Classes program.

“I worked backwards,” she laughs. “I’m much better at draping so I just started draping forms on mannequins. I initially came up with this scaled looking garment with all these inverted pleats down the back. Once I made my first look my classmates told me I should use brighter colors and before I knew it, it was tropical.”

With her senior collection done and graduation nearing, Karla had a moment to think about what advice she would give to next fall’s incoming class.

“At CCAD you’ll take a lot of classes that seem like they have nothing to do with your major, but pay attention in these classes,” she said. “They have everything to do with your creative process and design influence. Keep an open mind and you’ll learn a lot. You’ll be surprised what ceramics can do for a fashion major.”

You’ll have a chance to see some of Karla’s vibrant cruise wear on May 10 during the CCAD Senior Fashion Show. Order your tickets today before you miss the boat.

Karla Norquist is a native of Eagan, MN, and a graduate of Northridge High School.

Krista Guanlao Sison found inspiration for her collection in Spain. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Inspiration comes in many forms. It can be a cloud on a sunny day, a random splash of color from a garden of flowers, a sharp angle on a sign, or even from a church. For Krista Guanlao Sison, her inspiration came to her while traveling in Spain and visiting La Sagrada Familia.

“I’m Catholic so every time I go into a new church my mom tells me I should make a wish. So I made a wish when I went in there and it was a really amazing place,” remembers Krista. “I don’t think I ever felt that way before. My breath was taken away. I wanted to recreate that feeling in my collection.”

Although her designs are not exact replications of the space that touched her so deeply, it did encourage her to think beyond customary fashion materials and produce something entirely unique. She hopes that those who experience her work understand the message she was trying to convey with the pieces.

“Even though it doesn’t reflect the same kind of coloration or structure, I think it shows the feeling of what a home is or what a sanctuary is to a person,” said Krista. “I think everybody goes through that search of who they are, where they belong, who they belong to, and if they fit in anywhere. I wanted to show that the body is a person’s home. Only in your own self can you truly feel at home.”

A detail of one of the garments created by Krista.

She originally tried to construct her architectural inspired designs out of fabric; however, she quickly learned it wasn’t reflecting her original vision. After expressing her frustration, her teacher simply asked, “Why do you have to use fabric?” That question prompted Krista to start over, this time with materials that better suited her vision.

“I used weird materials that a lot of the designers probably wouldn’t use, including acrylic, Plexiglas, and a lot of vinyl, which was really hard,” said Krista. “I’d never worked with leather and vinyl is similar, but I had worked with Plexiglas before.”

Krista wanted to recreate, in her collection, the feeling she experienced visiting La Sagrada Familia. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

For one of her pieces she started the process by creating two isosceles triangles from foam core, traced it out on Plexiglas, drilled holes in it, and then connected it with fishing wire. In the end, Krista thinks it took her 80 hours to complete.

“It was built piece by piece,” said Krista. “I couldn’t really plan out the whole thing because it had to fit around the whole form. I had to hang it on the form and then add another piece and then another and then another. When it went down the runway for the jury I was crying because that’s the first time it actually worked on the body.”

As commencement draws near, Krista is looking to graduate school, and has applied to the internationally renowned Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London. After spending last summer there for a three-week program she knew she wanted to return to continue her studies in sculptural fashion.

You’ll soon have a chance to see Krista’s collection, “Sanctuarium,” at CCAD’s 2013 Senior Fashion Show on May 10. Make sure you get your tickets today.

Check out Krista’s website: www.kristaguanlao.com

Krista Guanlao Sison is a native of Parma Heights, OH, and a graduate of Valley Forge High School.

Olivia Mitchell approached each piece like a painting. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Olivia Mitchell’s senior collection is influenced by emotion—from grief to love and everything in between. Yet, it’s not only about how she felt when she created each piece, but also the feeling you get when you see them. It’s an emotional journey that started with a somewhat impulsive trip to Europe.

“I had a tragic death in the family during my junior year when my father passed away,” said Olivia. “I just needed a break and I had this opportunity to go to Europe with a fellow student from CCAD who was presenting in Liverpool.”

She started researching her collection and watching for trends while in England. She later found herself in Paris where she purchased fabric for her collection and fell in love with the city’s architecture.

“I had already started out with an architectural theme that had been consistent throughout my work up until my senior year; therefore, I already knew that it was going to play a big part,” notes Olivia. “The whole romance of Europe and the French aesthetic also played a big role.”

Architectural themes play a big role in Olivia’s collection.

She admits that she used really unique pattern construction in her designs, which resulted in pieces that are a bit avant-garde and not “traditional ready-to-wear.” They are elegant and dramatic, which allows the wearer to stand out at a special event.

“I approached each piece kind of like a painting, and I imagine it as art more than as a commodity,” she says. “Just as a painter would look at their work and feel something from it, that’s how I engage with my design.”

Olivia always knew that her future would involve the art of fashion. It started when she was little girl sketching images from fashion magazines and evolved into a love of painting and fine art.

“One day it became obvious to me that I was an artist,” said Olivia. “As an artist, the love of architecture and structural drawings captured my heart. I pursued studies in Interior Design and Fine Arts before finally combining my strength of draftsmanship and fine-art expressionism into the study of fashion design.”

A detail shot of one of Olivia’s looks. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Before CCAD, Olivia found hands-on experience as a tailor’s apprentice and then later as a fitting and alternating specialist for a large bridal company. Her time at CCAD provided her with the creative atmosphere she needed to learn and grow as an artist while focusing and developing specific skill sets in fashion design.

“Fashion Design allows me to enjoy the structure and physics of 3D design, while still being able to express myself as an artist,” she said. “Fashion Design was a natural fit for me and CCAD has been as well. The creative community at CCAD and Columbus is one of a kind and was a major draw to my coming to the school to study.”

Olivia’s avant-garde designs head down the runway May 10. See her looks while enjoying a spectacular fundraising event by purchasing tickets today.

Olivia Mitchell is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of Reynoldsburg High School.

Kate Elaine Pohrt readies her look for the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

If Kate Elaine Pohrt had it her way, after graduation she would be organizing and designing costumes for a huge movie production. It could be a futuristic or historical piece, anything that would tie together her love of costuming and the ever-changing fashion world.

“Growing up I had always enjoyed dressing up and making sure that even my companion stuffed animal was the best dressed. I would even go so far as to request that my mother take the time to sew something onto a garment last minute if I believed it would improve the look,” she remembers. “My parents nurtured my passion and encouraged me in every aspect that would improve my ability to fulfill my vision.”

Kate enrolled in sewing classes at a young age and continued to build upon her new-found talent as she got older. She then applied her skills to the art of costuming as part of her high school’s intensive theater program. Under the direction of her costume supervisor Kasia Mrożewska, she challenged herself not just in the art of design, but in the construction of the pieces. She also focused on the historical accuracy and poignancy of the designs for a each production.

Kate was inspired by art deco among other things. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“[Kasia] had all of these avant-garde ideas and I wanted to take that and apply it to fashion,” said Kate. “I felt that coming to CCAD would expand my horizons far beyond theater tech school. As a designer I also believe it is important to have a well-rounded understanding of all aspects leading up to the design and final construction of a garment.”

As a senior poised for graduation, Kate truly believes that after all of the years of hard work and dedication CCAD has prepared her and her classmates for the ever-changing fashion world. The last step in the process being her senior collection.

Since there was no over-arching theme this year, Kate looked forward to the freedom to “do what she pleased” with her designs. She took inspiration from Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis and her affection for art deco and avant-garde elements are intertwined throughout her three final pieces.

“I’ve always appreciated the art deco style and I wanted to go to the more theatrical side without moving away from that ready-to-wear place,” she said. “I also brought in a lot of metallic to my collection.”

Kate looked forward to ‘doing what she pleased’ with the designs for her final collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

While “swatching” fabric, Kate discovered a metallic upholstery fabric that she instantly fell in love with. Due to its non-traditional nature, she originally thought the super-shiny fabric would be used as just an accent to her designs but soon found herself creating an entire garment out of it.

“People have responded to it really well and I really appreciate that,” said Kate. “I also found ways to incorporate it into my other pieces by creating cutouts and inlays in some of my other garments. It was something I haven’t done in the past.”

Will you be able to see one of Kate’s designs shine from the stage? Only if you order your tickets for the May 10 show now.

Kate Elaine Pohrt is a native of Ann Arbor, MI, and a graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.

Rachel Chertoff’s collection concept is “Human Desire.” Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

You often hear stories from artists about how they were able to channel a certain personal experience or passion into their work. Rachel Chertoff takes raw emotion and channels it into wearable art.

“I am able to come up with my concepts when I am kind of miserable, as weird as that sounds. It helps me get whatever is bouncing around in my brain onto paper and then to move on and forward with that concept,” she explains. “At the end of the day I know I will have my creativity and that’s what I rely on, especially through those rough times we go through in life.”

She describes her collection, “Human Desire,” as having everything to do with the beauty she sees in the way humans desire, whether it’s one another, materialistic things, or ideas. She also notes that there is beauty in the low points of our lives.

“I kind of was lost this past summer because I was just getting out of a long relationship with someone who helped get me where I am today as a designer,” said Rachel. “So I was trying find myself and figuring out what I wanted with my life and what I wanted my next step to be.”

Her experience and emotions fueled her creativity as she developed her collection, but her themes are also reflected in tangible ways.

Rachel’s collection features several hand-knit, hand-crocheted pieces. Photo by Lacey Luce

“I went to this idea of showing parts of the body that I think are beautiful and what other people desire to see,” said Rachel. “The designs are also functional pieces for the carefree person who is taking things one step at a time.”

Rachel incorporated her love of knitting and crocheting, or as she calls it her “grandma habit,” into her collection, but on an elevated and youthful level.

“I hand-crocheted and knitted big pieces. It’s one of the most time consuming things I have done, but it’s worth it in the end,” Rachel said. “Using those skills helps convey my concept because this collection is like showing the public a very special secret piece of me that I wouldn’t normally share. I am excited to be conveying this piece of me to the public.”

Expressing her personality through fashion has always been important to Rachel; however, it wasn’t always easy to do, especially since she relied on the hand me downs of her sister and sister’s friends.

Rachel makes adjustments during the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I am a girl of 5’1″ stature and clothing that I would want to wear was always difficult to come across,” she said. “But it was always a way for me to express how I was doing in my life.”

After years of hard work at CCAD, Rachel can express herself through designs of her own making. Her CCAD journey began when she visited the college on the advice of her guidance counselor.

“I came and received a tour and then I was told about the College PreView program, which I then attended, and I just fell in love with the school,” she said.

Now as graduation nears, Rachel reflects on her time and offers those just starting their college experience a little advice.

“Don’t get discouraged. Things get tough and it’s a difficult journey but you can’t forget the good times you have along the way and focus on the bad,” she advises. “You will have great friends who last a lifetime and the goofy memories that you’ll keep.”

To see Rachel’s six-look collection on the runway May 10, you’ll need to get your tickets ASAP.

Rachel Chertoff is a native of Buffalo, NY, and a graduate of Williamsville East High School.

Antoiné Slater looks over her sketchbook. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

For as long as she can remember, Antoiné Slater was drawn to anything that was creative, allowed her to apply herself artistically, and was hands on.

A love of braiding hair inspired Antoiné to earn her cosmetology license during her last two years of high school, but she soon learned it was not the lifelong career for her.

“I was able to be creative in this area and I knew I wanted to do something with my hands,” said Antoiné. “However, after I graduated I didn’t want to do hair anymore. It was something I enjoyed, but I didn’t want to do it as a job.”

Her mom encouraged her to do some research and think hard about what she really wanted to study. It didn’t take Antoiné long to determine that fashion, something she’s always loved in one way or another, was the direction she wanted to pursue. Four years later, she’s ready to showcase her love of fashion with three of her final designs in the CCAD Senior Fashion Show.

Antoiné’s collection is inspired by a quote: “Sometimes the king is a woman,” by De La Vega, an American born artist of Puerto Rican decent who is best known for his street art and murals.

Fabric used in Antoiné Slater’s collection. Photo by Katlin McNally

Antoiné created designs that she felt reflected the strength of women. In her artist statement she predicted that her line would attract a woman who is “outspoken, open minded, always willing to try new things, never afraid to speak her mind, or stand out in a crowd.” Gold used throughout her designs along with bold and bright African prints adds to the sense of royalty.

“I feel like it all ties together, too,” reflects Antoine. “My culture and how I feel strongly about expressing myself and being comfortable with myself. It all connects.”

Antoiné recently discovered that a strong fashion sense runs in her family, and this discovery is reflected her collection. While reconnecting with her paternal grandmother last summer, Antoiné learned that she was not alone in her passion for fashion.

Antoiné Slater looks over her sketchbook. Photo by Katlin McNally

“She has everything you could imagine in clothes, jewelry, bags, and shoes from back then. She was a fashionista,” Antoiné said about her grandmother. “I learned that she is exactly where I get my instinct from, and I did not know that until this past summer. We bonded over that.”

Not only will her fashionista grandmother be in attendance at this May’s Senior Fashion Show, but all of the gold jewelry Antoiné is using in her collection comes from her grandmother. It’s another way Antoiné feels she was able to tie everything together and truly elevate the look for the runway.

“It all connects,” said Antoiné. “The opportunities I experienced with this collection always came at just the right time.”

As graduation draws closer she is already focusing on the new connections and opportunities that lay ahead, including a job.

“My dream job would be working with a fashion forward creative design team, traveling all over the world for inspiration and spotting trends,” she says. “I want to be that person who connects it all together.”

Make sure you make a connection of your own and order tickets today to see Antoiné’s collection on May 10.

Antoiné Slater is a native of Dayton, OH, and a graduate of Wayne High School.

Kassie Haji checks a jacket from her men’s wear look. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

When it is time to design, sew, and finalize a Senior Fashion Show collection, every minute counts. Just ask Kassie Haji, who spent every free moment she had on her collection, including the hours she spent commuting to and from school on the city bus (a 90-plus-minute ride each way).

“Some of my classmates have told me they couldn’t believe I was still at school. They would have dropped out by now if they had a commute that was that long,” says Haji. “It [college] was what I really wanted, and it takes dedication. I don’t usually complain about it, but that’s been one of my biggest challenges.”

While the travel time made meeting her models difficult and sometimes made for long days, Kassie pushed forward and worked hard and fast on her collection.

“I would do hand sewing on the bus and some sketches,” she notes. “The problem with the bus is that it shakes so much or that people would stand there over me while I worked. I don’t know how I was able to do it, but I did it.”

Five of Kassie’s finished pieces will make a commute of their own as they travel down the runway in May. The collection comprises women’s and men’s wear and combines the essence of classic romance with modern silhouettes. She is particularly passionate about the men’s wear in her collection.

Hand-sewn button holes are just one of the fine details in Kassie’s collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I feel like men’s fashions are always pushed back and they need to be given the opportunity to show their style in everyday life, just like women do,” said Kassie.  “I’m intrigued by the way a male silhouette looks when they are really dressed well. They are very beautiful to me. I also find it very challenging at the same time, and I love to be challenged.”

A native of Northern Iraq, Kassie and her family came to the U.S. when she was just three years old. They lived in several states, including Texas and Rhode Island before moving to Ohio. She is extremely proud of her heritage so she surprised a lot of people when she chose not to include that as a focus of her collection.

“I wanted to design according to what the public or the customer is looking for rather than just pulling from my culture,” said Kassie. “I also didn’t want people to think I might not be able to design for other customers besides what I’m used to.”

Kassie added that she doesn’t ever want to be a static designer. She wants to continually reinvent her designs and cover all facets of the fashion world.

“I want to have my own brand, and style, but I am versatile,” she says proudly. “I love designing for all kinds of costumers.”

Kassie adjusts a look during the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

The result is intricate details with a tailored look that is flattering and comfortable.

Another challenge that Kassie faced this year was not having access to a good sewing machine outside of the CCAD labs. She met that challenge by doing more hand sewing. Surprisingly, hand-making button holes ended up being a plus for her collection.

“Honestly, I didn’t know how to make the machine button holes so I told myself I needed to reinvent the button hole in a way that would work without looking bad,” she says. “I was able to apply the technique to the jacket and button up shirts and make them look very sophisticated. I was very proud of it, but it was a lot of work.”

You’ll have a chance to see Kassie’s designs up-close and personal as they take the stage on May 10. Order your tickets now, prices go up March 29.

Kassie Haji was born in Northern Iraq and is a resident of Columbus, OH. She graduated from Feinstein High School in Rhode Island.

Ngockhanh Ngo’s collection is inspired by American work wear. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

After moving from South Vietnam to the United States when he was just four years old, Ngockhanh Ngo’s family established a home not far from CCAD’s iconic ART sign. Although he had always dreamed of attending an art school as a child, he never knew that sign would ultimately signal a future in art and fashion.

“My parents never wanted me to pursue art at all. They wanted me to go the safer route of becoming a nurse, lawyer, or a doctor,” reflects Ngockhanh. “Coming from a third-world country, artists are usually starving. It took me some time to realize I needed to do what I’m gifted to do and enjoy.”

This year, Ngockhanh channeled his gift into a men’s wear collection entitled “Working Men,” and in his mind each piece has a story to tell.

“I wanted to create work-wear inspired pieces,” he said. “With a little bit of vintage and modern edge to it that is reflective of my own street-edgy style.”

For his four-piece collection, Ngockhanh designed, constructed, distressed, dyed, and sometimes even destroyed various denim pieces that include men’s jeans, jackets, jumpsuits, and overalls. He also took the time to add in unique details such as patchwork, buttons, and even hidden details in the lining of a jacket that only the wearer can see. To him, this was a way to make it a complete and styled collection.

Design details in Ngockhanh’s collection include things only the wearer will see. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

His attention to all the details doesn’t stop with his own designs either. He spent hours online looking for the perfect shoes that would work with his theme without taking away from it. It’s important to him that everything is styled and complete.

“I feel that when you are able to create your own line and pull from your own inspiration it will inspire everything down to the shoes,” said Ngockhanh. “The day before the jury show I even cut two of my models’ hair. I wanted them to have a clean cut. I already told them that before the Fashion Show I want to meet up with them to cut their hair again.”

Known by his classmates as “The Machine,” Ngockhanh admits that he works well under pressure. When he found out one of his models was moving away and wouldn’t be able to take part in the jury show he not only had to find a replacement model, but recreate some of his pieces to fit the new person in less than a week.

Ngockhanh readies a look for the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I made the jeans, distressed the jeans, and then finished them the day before the jury show with final details,” says Ngockhanh. “If you have the skills to whip it out and get it done, then do it, but I never want to overwhelm myself. I submitted only four looks so I could put everything into them.”

With the fashion show and graduation just a few months away, Ngockhanh has some thoughts about his future ambitions.

“I would like to see my self working in the denim or outerwear department for Levi’s or Ralph Lauren, two companies I favor,” he said. “I want get the most experience I can soak up in five years and then figure out what’s next for fives years after that.”

Ngockhanh Ngo is originally from South Vietnam and a resident of Columbus, OH. He graduated from Beechcroft High School.

See Ngockhanh’s creations and more at this year’s Senior Fashion Show on May 10. Get your tickets soon. Prices go up next week (March 29).

Katharine Hire’s collection has gold elements threaded through each look. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

It’s fitting that Katharine “Katie” Hire’s collection is entitled “Golden Passion.” The name not only reflects gold utilized throughout her designs, but also her dedication and devotion to something bigger.

“The golden thread is what ties the garments together and the passion is for me,” said Katie “That’s where my heart and my love is.”

That love started when she was pursuing another dream: becoming a professional ballerina. She took a position in a small ballet company in Colorado as a dancer, but soon fell in love with the process of creating costumes for the company’s productions.

Katharine Hire checks her garment at the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I just started draping things on forms while looking at other garments and mimicking them with different fabrics,” remembers Katie.  “I would also cut very quickly into final fabric. It would turn out OK for a costume, but looking back it wasn’t up to par.”

Even with that seed of fashion planted inside her, it would be a few years before she would allow it to grow and flourish. After attending the University of Akron for a year then moving to Columbus with the notion of studying dental hygiene at Ohio State University, Katie decided to apply to CCAD on a whim.

Whim or not, it was an obvious choice for her, but not exactly for the obvious reasons. It would certainly help her further her understanding of pattern making, construction, and design; and CCAD’s location meant she would also be closer to family and friends. There was,  however, another motive to Katie’s creative choice.

“I’m dyslexic and book things aren’t for me. If I had gone into dental hygiene I would have been so miserable. Hands on is really good for me.” she admits. “Of course, it’s been a hard road, but CCAD has really challenged me and showed me that I can accomplish a lot of really great things and that I’m good at something. I feel like I’m still learning, but that my perspective is valid as a designer.”

Katie’s “Golden Passion” collection reflects another one of her life experiences.

“I used all African fabrics with suede, leather, and gold detailing, …” Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I went to Africa a few years ago on a medical mission trip and just got really inspired by the people, the culture, and the fabric there,” said Katie. “I used all African fabrics [in the collection] with suede, leather, and gold detailing; but I also tried to transfer it to modern day with classic silhouettes and dresses—things that I tend to gravitate to more.”

That trip not only inspired her senior collection, but also a dream to use fashion for social good. Katie has a vision for a design company that employs women in Africa and purchases African-made textiles—providing women, like those she met on her trip, with a source of income.

“What can we do? We are women of fashion. How can we give back?,” she reflects. “It’s a big, big dream, of course, but it goes back to my inspiration—freedom for women. I want to design and create women’s clothing that is empowering and flattering at any age and size. I would like to also work to give women dignified jobs in another country and use fashion as a vehicle to accomplish this goal. I would also like to leave everything I am involved in a little better than how I found it.”

Katie’s golden designs will hit the runway on May 10. Take a moment to click on this link and order your tickets before prices go up March 29.

Katharine Hire is a native of Mansfield, OH, and a graduate of Mansfield Christian High School.

Tina’s collection, “Modern Vintage Abroad,” is inspired by her family and heritage. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

Tina Hughes’ passion for fashion started with a house. MTV’s House of Style to be exact. She recalls watching Cindy Crawford interview designers during an episode featuring fashion week and knowing exactly at that moment that fashion was what she wanted to pursue.

“I always gravitated toward that and knew that’s what I wanted to do, I just didn’t know what direction,” reflects Tina. “Some people know right out of high school and grow into it. I feel blessed in a way that I went through everything I did because I’m even more passionate about it than I was back then.”

“Everything” included being accepted into the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where she studied buying and merchandising and received her associate degree. From there she went on to upper division (to complete a bachelor’s degree) and changed her major to fabric styling and textile design; however, her life took a different path, which included moving to Columbus with her husband and raising her two daughters, Emma, 12, and Layna, 6. She continued to design and sew outfits for her children and realized that fashion was still something she wanted to pursue.

“I think of these stories in my head and that’s what I enjoyed the most as I developed these five looks.” Photo by Katlin McNally.

“It was always in the back of my head that I wanted to finish my degree for myself, even just to set an example for my kids that I finished what I started,” notes Tina. “They are a little bit older now, so they can see how hard I worked to get this degree.”

Balancing two children as well as school work has been a challenge, but also inspiring. She recalls lots of late nights followed by early mornings, but is beyond elated that she is that much closer to the fashion show and graduation. She survived the long days with the support of her entire family. Their surprise notes and gifts were enough to keep her motivated and to work extra hard to achieve her goal of completing not only her education, but her collection.

“I’m just so proud to have completed it,” she muses. “I set a plan for myself and I am proud that I was able to execute it. I feel so excited about it.”

“I also have a great strength for adding details and finishing touches to the garment to give it a one-of-kind feeling.” Photo by Kristen Foley

Tina draws inspiration from her family and her Italian and Greek heritage. This core inspiration combined with her own personal eclectic style is clearly present in her collection, which is appropriately titled “Modern Vintage Abroad.” She loves that she is able to mix and match pieces, but still create a cohesive look with a story behind it.

“I think of these stories in my head and that’s what I enjoyed the most as I developed these five looks,” notes Tina.  “I really think about who this girl is, what she is going to wear when she shops, goes to the museum, or on a date. I tried to intersperse that throughout my five looks, but I could have done 10. You always wish you could do more once you see how it evolves.”

Tina’s looks are also tied together through her use of bold fabrics and vintage details. Whether it’s using old timepieces as buttons or utilizing a variety of textured fabrics like brocade, silk and denim; each piece is unique but tells a collective story.

“I love putting together fabrics and color palettes,” she says.

You will be able to see Tina’s collection on May 10, but you’ll need a ticket, and you’ll want to get it now before prices go up March 29.

Tina Hughes is a native of Cleveland, OH, and a graduate of Eastlake North High School.

Dax makes adjustments before the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

Each CCAD student has a story to tell with their art, it’s just up to them which medium they want to use to convey its chapters. For Dax Thomas Kauser, his story is uniquely woven through a very personal fashion collection that reflects on his past, including his time as a Marine deployed overseas.

“It’s really a build up of my life from adolescence to where I’m at now,” said Dax. “My collection is everything I want to say as I reveal myself to the industry and future customers. This is my story and I am ready to share it.”

Before attending CCAD, Dax jests that he “dabbled in schools and collected colleges,” and he admits that he believes his arrival at CCAD resulted from an impulse.

“Once back in Columbus, me and my friends would go to all the festivals and hustle tee shirts that we would screen print,” said Dax.  “After a while creative boredom set in so I applied to CCAD on a whim and was accepted with a great scholarship.”

A detail of fabric used in Dax’s collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“During my first semester I wasn’t sure what to choose as a major, but as soon as I walked into the fashion department I knew that this is where I belonged,” remembers Dax.  “When I informed all my friends that I was going into fashion, I was surprised that none of them were shocked. That’s the great thing about CCAD, the ability to try new avenues. Who knows, you might just discover a dormant passion.”

That passion evolved into six designs that Dax fittingly entitled the “Nomad Collection.” It’s a wearable story of the twists and turns his life has taken over the years as well as his travels throughout the world.

Dax wrote in his artist’s statement: “The Nomad Collection is a story of my travels, hardships, loss, and the beauty of balance. Inspired by the wonders of the Arab world and its mesmerizing culture to the outlandish fashions of Japan.”

Dax’s “Nomad Collection,” is a reflection of his past. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

As he started his collection, his first step was reflecting on all of those past experiences and then finding a way to incorporate them intricately and literally into his designs. Many of the silk-screened fabrics in his collection were created using abstracts of the photographs he captured during his deployments. These unique pieces showcase the various cultures he was exposed to and learned to love.

“Out of the four years that I was in the Marine Corps, almost three were deployed in some kind of hostile environment,” adds Dax. “From there it really affected who I am and helped me decide what I wanted to do. Life is short. Do what you love.”

Dax will continue to do what he loves after graduation when he heads to New York City to pursue internships and continue to grow and learn his craft.

“I want to experience a little more and ensure I fit with the company first,” he says. “I’d rather go in with an internship and get a feel for them and them for me and go from there. That way it’s a little more open.”

You’ll get a chance to experience Dax’s amazing runway story at the CCAD Senior Fashion Show on May 10, but only if you buy your tickets now (ticket prices go up at the end of March and the show sells out each year).

Check out Dax’s website at www.thecreativecult.com.

Dax Kauser is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of Groveport Madison High School.

Sarah checks a garment before a photo shoot.

By Kristen M. Foley

One of the reigning themes among the senior designers this year does not have to do with their inspiration, the fabric they used, the revolutionary technique they uncovered, or even the designs they created. The theme for all seemed to include a strong tutorial in time management, something they will take with them long after they leave CCAD.

“The most difficult challenge I’ve encountered while working on this collection has been balancing my other classes. Ideally I would love to be able to dedicate this year solely to creating one fantastic collection, treating it like a job and working consistent hours on it alone everyday,” said Sarah Frederick. “Unfortunately between other school courses, jobs, and life in general, that hasn’t exactly been possible. It’s a daily battle to determine what needs to be made a priority and what needs to be sacrificed temporarily. I’d like to give everything I’m working on my full dedication.”

With five pieces headed to the runway in May’s Senior Fashion Show, Sarah’s final collection–filled with free-flowing, feminine, and Western-inspired pieces–certainly showcases the hours of hard work and dedication she put into her collection.

Accessories are carefully selected for each look.

As noted in past blogs, the students were not given a theme to follow this year and were instructed to find inspiration within. Sarah spent her summer break last year thinking about what designs she would feel most like herself in if she were to wear them.

“I am definitely a slow thinker. I like to mentally mull over inspiration, eventually sifting through enough ideas to dream up something I feel is truly worth creating,” she muses. “But when the concept stage feels thought through enough to begin doing the physical work, I can’t wait to begin the measuring and draping to find what shapes will make flattering silhouettes on the human body. Finally, actually constructing the garment feels the most rewarding, especially when you are able to sew something that looks like the idea you had in your head.”

During that initial thought process, Sarah thought hard about what she would want to wear as well as what would be feminine, comfortable, and confident.

“I try to think about how clothing affects how a person feels and how they interact with others,” she notes. “Designs that enhance your body instead of taking away from it or covering it or exposing it.”

Checking the details.

Sarah took aspects from Western culture and combined them with more modern and practical personal touches like little pockets or suede details. She also created a natural feel to the clothing through design, soft fabric choices, and various fabric-working techniques.

“One of the one most experimental techniques that I used in one of my dresses was embroidery and cutwork,” she reflects. “I layered two fabrics together and embroidered a pattern that I designed in Illustrator. You pin it to the fabric and then embroider over top of it and then cut off the top layer of fabric so you can see the dimensions in the layers.”

You can see Sarah’s detailed designs on May 10, but only if you have a ticket. Get yours now as prices go up at the end of March.

Sarah Frederick is a native of Swanton, MD, and a graduate of Southern Garrett High School.

Photos by Katlin McNally.

The 2013 designer group shot.

11 a.m.

It’s fashion photo shoot day, and I’m sitting and waiting. That happens a lot on fashion shoot day, especially if you are a blogger. If I were a make up artist or hair stylist, I’d be busy. If I were a model I’d be trying to sit very still while people transformed me. If I were a designer I’d be getting my garments ready for the shoot—steaming, pressing, etc. And if I were the photographer I’d bee setting up stations, testing lighting, and readying my equipment. But, I’m none of those things. All I had to do was find a corner with an outlet that was out of everyone’s way.

There are two stations where they are shooting for the lookbook, both in sewing labs in Design Studios on Broad.

Unfortunately the only place I can be out of the way of the first session is a place where I can’t actually see anything. This is turning out to be a good thing. I have a roving photographer (the lovely and talented Ms. Katlin McNally) out there getting pics of the fashion photographer, Nick Fancher, and his gang at work. Katlin will be my eyes (and yours, check out the gallery below). What I can do, and have never been able to do in past photo shoots, is hear the photographer and that’s actually more interesting. He provides a constant stream of direction. Chin up, arms this way, turn your elbows out, square the feet, turn your body, feet apart a little more, relax your mouth, setc.

Of course now that I’ve heard all this direction, I really want to SEE what the heck is happening. Fortunately for the next session I can find a new corner and observe.

3:30 p.m.

Everyone has finished up their late lunch, freshened up hair and makeup, and shooting has resumed. I have now been able to wander a bit and observe the shooting a little more closely. A few observations: The looks are seriously tight, well finished, and full of unexpected details. I had seen most of these looks in photos taken during the jurying, but they were even more impressive in person. There are more male looks than I recall seeing in past shows. There are more pants, shorts, and long sleeves (all of which are particularly difficult to make well). I’m seeing a lot of handmade patterns and hand-died fabrics (our dying lab is pretty sweet). There is more diversity in the style of clothing—which is perhaps a result of not having an over arching theme.

I could go on, but really you just need to get a ticket and experience the wow for yourself. The show is May 10. See you there.

Before I sign off I just need to give a big thanks to our photographer Nick Fancher, The Ologie team including Casey Carmell and Andy Hayes, the wonderful hairstylist from Jolie Laide, and of course the fabulous Tim Maurer and his team from Mukha Custom Cosmetics who once again worked makeup magic.

How fun is the CCAD Senior Fashion Show event? take a look at last year’s event.

February 28^th was a long arduous day for CCAD designers, as they presented their final collections to a jury of seven industry professionals.

The job of those professionals was to evaluate the designs and choose the best looks for the runway show. The jurying was blind in that they did not know which designers were attached to which looks when they did their review—their choices were based on the strength of the design and construction alone. The end result: after reviewing more than 100 designs, 68 have been chosen for the May 10 show.

Below is our list of participating designers, including where they hail from. Sunday we’ll be covering the fashion photo shoot, and next week you can start getting to know these designers a little better as our fashion blogger Kristen Foley sits down with each one to talk design, inspiration, and the future. The jury has done their work, but the only way you get to see what they’ve selected for the runway is to get your tickets now. The May 10 fundraising event is shaping up to be spectacular.

1. Jess Betz, from Toledo, OH, graduate of St. Ursula Academy
2. Olivia Brezinski, from Perrysburg, OH, graduate of Perrysburg High School
3. Rachel Chertoff, from Buffalo, NY, graduate of Williamsville East High School
4. Nicole Chhuom, from Columbus, OH, graduate of West High School
5. Jazzmin Evans, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Independence High School
6. Sarah Frederick, from Swanton, MD, graduate of Southern Garrett High School
7. Jennica  Gray, from Columbus, OH, graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School
8. Kassie Haji, from Columbus, OH (previously from Providence, RI) , graduate of Feinstein High School in RI
9. Katlin Hatfield, from Adamsville, OH, graduate of Tri-Valley High School
10. Katharine Hire, from Mansfield, OH, graduate of Mansfield Christian School
11. Tina Hughes, from Cleveland, OH, graduate of Eastlake North High School
12. Phoebe Isaac, from Lexington, OH, graduate of Lexington High School
13. Danielle Nicole Jones, from Westerville, OH, graduate of Westerville South High School
14. Dax Thomas Kauser, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Groveport Madison High School
15. Leah Sloane Kennedy, from Ypsilanti, MI, graduate of Ypsilanti High School
16. Olivia Mitchell, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Reynoldsburg High School
17. Ngockhanh Ngo, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Beechcroft High School
18. Karla Norquist, from Eagan, MN, graduate of Northridge High School,
19. Kate Elaine Pohrt, from Ann Arbor, MI, graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
20. Krista Guanlao Sison, from Parma Heights, OH, graduate of Valley Forge High School
21. Antoine Slater, from Dayton, OH, graduate of Wayne High School

Jurors look over a garment

By Kristen Foley

Facing a jury could perhaps be one of most daunting tasks any individual could ever experience, and the outcome, in this case, means earning a spot in the 2013 CCAD Senior Fashion Show.

This is THE moment when a year’s worth of a student’s design work is reviewed and critiqued by an elite group of professionals from the fashion industry. Their ruling will decide what pieces (or even entire collections) will grace the runway this year, and there’s no guarantee that every designer will make the cut. It’s a nerve-racking, nail-biting experience, even for me and all I have to do is sit here and enjoy the amazing works of wearable art.

This year’s jury of fashion professionals included alumna Katie Brennan (CCAD 2003), design director at Abercrombie & Fitch; Connie Ballenger, owner of Leal Boutique; Elizabeth Bean Smith, owner, Wardrobe Therapy; Kristy Eckert, editor for Capital Style; alumna Jennifer Porreca-Faux (CCAD 2002), design director at Tween Brands; Monique Morin, design director at Limited Brands; and Sara Zimmerman, art director and Express stylist.

Suzanne Cotton, chair of the fashion design department, kicked off the event by advising the jury that they really needed to consider what was the crème de la crème out of the 120 designs they would view. Is the piece a good design? Is it made well? Finally, will it look good on the runway?

Due to the large amount of pieces to consider for this year’s show, jury members had a little over a minute to view each garment and make their final decisions. The limited time didn’t stop them from asking the models to turn or step closer, and often they would reach out to touch and feel the fabric’s texture. Their questions were direct and pointed. They knew exactly what information they needed to gather in the short time they had to view each piece.

As noted in a previous post, this year brought an exciting change in that there was no overarching theme for the designers to use as a starting point. The students were challenged to find their muse and inspiration within themselves and then transfer that to their collections. It proved to be an exhilarating challenge, as the collections are unique and very personal. Glimmers of deep copper, rich knits, futuristic designs, tie-dye, fiberglass, sheer fabrics, and bright blues were just some of the design details this class put forth. There was even some canine couture this year!

It will take a few days to review and collect all of the jury’s comments before the final selections are announced, so be sure to check back here for the details. And keep following us as I’ll be profiling each individual designer and the inspiration behind their collections.

If you want to ensure you have a seat to see the chosen pieces, buy your tickets online now. They are selling quickly and prices go up soon. Based on the collections shown today, it’s a night you won’t want to miss.

Postcard for the 2013 Senior Fashion Show, created by Ologie

It’s probably no surprise that Fashion Design students at Columbus College of Art & Design work night and day for a chance to see their garments go down the runway during that special night in May. What you may not know is that there is another team working night and day on the show—the design team at Ologie, the firm that is again tackling the creative challenge of branding an amazing event experience for the college and those lucky ticket holders who come to our show.

Casey Carmell, a designer at Ologie explained that this year’s visual identity for the show is focused on the designer’s process.

“We’re interested in where they find their inspiration, seeing their fashion illustrations, their ideas in their sketchbooks, and understanding the tools and materials they use,” said Carmell.

This is the fifth year that Ologie, has helped CCAD develop the marketing materials for the show, but this year they are diving even deeper and looking at the full customer experience, from the invite to the big tent.

A major visual component of the show (other than, of course, the fabulous student designs coming down the runway) is the lookbook. This signature piece is not a simple program but a photo-rich book that is placed in portfolios and shared with prospective students considering CCAD’s Fashion Design program.

Like any top-tier fashion magazine, photography is the key element. This year Ologie has brought in photographer Nick Fancher, who has already begun shooting select garments for early print ads. For the lookbook, Ologie  has a very clear vision for the daylong photo shoot in March (which naturally you can read about on this blog, March 10).

“From a visual standpoint, the photography will show glimpses of the designers in the studio at CCAD—fitting their models, photographs of their sketchbooks and inspiration boards,” Carmell said. “We’ve also brought in the materials they use to create their pieces as graphic elements, like the good guide and graph paper they use, the shapes of garment blocks, and different types of stitching. That’s all part of the visual language for this year.

“The whole design process has been exciting for me,” Carmell said. “It has been fun talking with the students and understanding their process. Working with this year’s photographer Nick Fancher has been great. And of course the team at CCAD has been great to work with—I can’t wait for the photo shoot to see all the hard work of these designers come to life—it is going to be awesome.”

Leading the charge and sharing her expertise throughout the process has been Ologie founder and CCAD alumna Bev Bethge. Bethge and her team have been supporting CCAD’s marketing and branding efforts for many years, including developing the college’s brand guidelines. Most recently the agency launched a new suite of recruitment materials for CCAD.

Tickets for the 2013 Senior Fashion Show are on sale, buy them now, the advance purchase special ends March 28, and don’t forget this event is a fundraiser for student scholarships.

Check out the 2012 show!

The fashion show tickets are here!

The fashion show tickets are here!

Ok, I got that out of my system (and I swear I wasn’t just jumping around my office shouting that. Really). But seriously, tickets are now on sale for CCAD’s May 10 fashion EVENT. That’s right, I said event, because it is so much more than a show (haven’t been? Check out the video).

The three most important things you need to know right-this-second are:

1. We are once again offering a special advance-purchase price. Buy now, and not only do you save a few bucks but you ensure that you actually get a ticket—we keep selling out and we’ve run out of places to add seats (believe me we’ve tried).
2. Limited Brands Foundation has once again stepped up as our title sponsor. This generous sponsorship is further evidence of the foundation’s commitment to and investment in our creative community.
3. This event raises funds for scholarships—every attendee and sponsor is investing in a CCAD student’s education while having an amazing night on our campus.

Each year we strive to top the year before. This year we have a larger senior class. With so much talent to tap into we are planning to extend the show; however, with so many designers, each allowed to present for consideration up to six garments, there is going to be even more fierce competition to impress the jury and get those looks on the runway.

We’ve brought back fashion blogger Kristen Foley, and she recently shared another exciting twist to this year’s runway show.  Each designer will be truly presenting their own collection. That is, there is no overarching theme. The work we see this year will be a pure reflection of the designer’s inspiration. Soon, Kristen will be sitting down with each designer so we can learn a little bit more about what they have planned for this May.

Each year we are thrilled and humbled by the support we get from our business partners through sponsorships. Their generosity ensures we produce a great event and still raise those critical scholarship dollars.

If you happen to be checking out this post after the publish date there is a very good chance more partners have joined us, so please take a second to visit the event page for a full list of supporters—and show that you appreciate their support of local causes, by supporting them.

Without further ado, a big thanks to: Runway Sponsor, EXPRESS;  Fashion Lookbook Sponsor, Abercrombie & Fitch; Easton Fashion Award Sponsor, Easton Town Center;  VIP Cocktail Reception Sponsors, Nationwide & Justice; Couture Sponsors, Diamond Cellar, Huntington Bank, Lane Bryant, Macy’s, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, RG Barry/Dearfoams, and THE LIMITED; In-Kind Sponsors, Cameron Mitchell Catering, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Live! Technologies, LLC, Mukha Custom Cosmetics, Mumm Napa, and Ologie; In-Kind Supporters, Middle West Spirits; and Media Sponsor, CD102.5.

While you are heading to our event page to get your tickets, also be sure to check out our ever-growing host committee chaired by the fabulous Peg Mativi and Donald Dick.

Suzanne Cotton during a garment presentation, photo courtesy Luke Kramer

By Kristen M. Foley

There is a chill in the air and the promise of more snow before the first buds of a new season make their grand appearance. Yet, visions of spring and the fashion event it brings have long been on the minds of CCAD’s senior Fashion Design majors who will create the looks for the 2013 CCAD Fashion Show, which will hit the runway on May 10.

In just a few short weeks the students will face the jury, where they will present up to six looks from their collection to be considered for the runway event. Students need to present their best and most complete work to be considered, and the professional jury will not only choose what goes in the show, but will also provide invaluable, constructive critiques. With 27 students in this year’s class, Suzanne Cotton, chair of the fashion design department, expects this to be a much tougher selection process.

“There is a limit in how long the show can be,” notes Cotton. “This year it’s going to be the crème de la crème that ultimately get picked for the May 10 event.”

This year brings an exciting change for the students. In years past, students were given a theme at the end of their junior year that they would use to inspire and drive their final senior collection. Previous themes have included the circus, paintings and sculptures of famous artists, and leaders in fashion design. This year, there is no overarching theme for the designers to use as a starting point. The students were challenged to find their muse and inspiration within themselves and then transfer that to their collections.

“It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a while,” said Cotton. “Each designer has their own individual personality and this show is really about showcasing their work. We’re giving the students the opportunity, really from conception all the way through to design and construction, to really show a truer feeling of what their work is all about.”

Suzanne Cotton during a garment presentation, photo courtesy Luke Kramer

Although the students were initially ecstatic about embarking on their senior journey without a pre-determined theme to guide them, they soon found unique challenges in creating a cohesive collection without an assigned starting point.

“When someone gives you your starting point, it really takes the pressure off,” explained Cotton. “Thinking anything can be your starting point is kind of overwhelming. They had to look inside of themselves and that can intimidating. These kids have worked for four years and this is the big finish and they want to do something spectacular.”

The result of this new direction is a group of diverse collections that are more personally tied to the individual designers.

“The exciting part is getting to hear the personal stories behind their collections,” said Cotton. “We have one student who has done work in science and physics and that came out in her collection. Another student is working with Plexiglas and yet another who has looked at her traditional clothes tied to her heritage and how she could update them to be on trend today.”

Cotton also believes this process has allowed the students to grow even more as designers and utilize what they’ve learned in their years at CCAD.

“They began to understand that the great idea might not always be the first one they think of. It may be the fifth or sixth that really turns into something amazing,” said Cotton. “It’s a process that will help them as they move into the career world.”

There is a lot more to share about the 2013 CCAD Fashion Show, including the jurying process, the photo shoot for the show’s lookbook, and one-on-one interviews with each participating designer—so stay tuned.

Tickets for the 2013 Senior Fashion Show event go on sale February 1, and don’t forget this spectacular event is a fundraiser to support the next creative class with scholarships and more.