Back stage chaos.

7 p.m.

It is the calm before the storm.

Well, if you don’t include the backstage area where the storm has already struck in the form of whirling dervish hair dressers, make-up artists, models, and frantic senior designers who are about to see their garments shoot down the runway.

The registration tables are armed and ready for the 800 + guests who will soon come to join us to celebrate another year of amazing art and design—and of course a spectacular runway show.

Thanks to Limitedbrands Foundation, who once again stepped up to be the event’s title sponsor, we truly can celebrate knowing we have raised significant dollars to support the scholarships that help make the dream of a college education a reality.

The VIP pre-show party, sponsored by Nationwide, is set up and ready. The caterers are standing by to share delightful tidbits of nosh that look almost too good to eat. (Almost. There really should be a special bloggers snack plate, don’t ya think?) The bartenders are stocked and ready to pour.

The bartenders are well stocked.

Of course, those bartenders will be extra busy later when all of our guests head back towards our mixologist after the runway show to enjoy a drink and some dancing thanks to our Après Runway Sponsors Capital Style Magazine and Justice. But before the post-show party, there will be one hella-good show as one-of-a-kind fashion struts down the runway, which comes to us thanks to EXPRESS; and, at some point in the proceedings, Easton Town Center will honor one of the fashion students with the inaugural Easton Fashion Award.

But, for now, things are calm. Surrounding the runway are neat rows of seats, each topped with a lookbook, sponsored by Abercrombie & Fitch, and gift provided by Mukha Custom Cosmetics. Soon those seats will be filled by VIP ticket holders.

Sponsors, of course, are crucial to a fundraising event and I really do need to take a moment and be sure we thank every generous business and individual who has helped us build this experience.

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

Our printing sponsor is Baesman and the General Admission Pre-Party sponsor is Union Café.

This year’s host committee co-chairs are Karen & Michael Fiorile and Ellen & Ed Yen

And our 2012 host committee is: Dana & Mitch Acock, Jakki & Jerry Allen, Jamie & Steve Allen, Trudy & Earl Bartley, Pam & Jack Beeler, Teresa & Brian Biernat, Kimberly A. Blackwell, W. Daniel Cordray, Mary & Colby Crall, Loann W. Crane, Bev Darwin, Phaedra & Michael Edwards, DeeDee & Herb Glimcher, Alexis Jacobs, Patty & Jerry Jurgensen, Charlotte & Jack Kessler, Monica & Doug Kridler, Stephanie & Adam Lewin, Peg Mativi & Donald Dick, Tim Maurer & Sanito Mendoza, Veda Nami, Jamie & Bill Reinbolt, Jody & Jeff Scheiman, Thekla Shackelford, Danielle & George Skestos, Jacqueline & Chris Snell, Arlene & Michael Weiss, and Lyn Williams.

Thank you!

Every aspect of our event is touched by community generosity via in-kind donations for everything from the catering via Cameron Mitchell Catering and the adult beverages from Heidelberg Distributing Company, Mumm Napa, and Middle West Spirits, who designed the event’s signature cocktail ARTini.

Backstage where the pre-show chaos reigns, Mukha Custom Cosmetics is once again making sure our models look fierce on the runway—and they are getting hair support from Studio Fovero.

There are behind the scenes elements (lights, video, sound) that usually go unnoticed other than the feeling the crowd gets when they witness a wonderfully staged event—much of the credit for that goes to Live! Technologies—although the thumping beats that get us from party to runway to party again come via our illustrious DJ Rainer. Oh, and speaking of the post-show party, VJ props go to Rainer and  S77.

And the exquisite lookbook that I mentioned before, well Ologie was a key player in mentoring its production along with the invite and branding for the show.

Flowers, chairs, tables and other event accessories come to us thanks to Lasting Impressions and FLOURISH bespoke floral & event styling.

Yum.

An event isn’t an EVENT, unless we sell tickets. That’s where our our media sponsors Capital Style Magazine and CD101 come in. They have spent the better part of the year helping us get the word out and sell tickets. Did you see our students in the May issue of Capital Style? If not, pick up a copy.

Oh, and despite rumors to the contrary, models need to eat—at least our student models do. Thanks to Donatos and Pepsi Cola Bottling of Columbus for keeping our students fed and hydrated during some long rehearsal hours. Also, walking in those heels…not as easy as it looks. Thanks to Foot Petals, inc for providing shoe inserts.

Big thanks and hearty applause to everyone who helped make this night happen.

Guests are arriving and I hear champagne popping, I wonder if I can sneak a canapé?

Click to view video

I feel like I need a bullhorn—something really dramatic to announce that our fashion show tickets are now available for purchase.

If you’ve attended the fashion show in the past you know three important things about this event:

1. It’s awesome
2.  It’s a fundraiser that supports scholarships for the next generation of creative professionals.
3. It sells out—every year.

Sure you may be thinking:  “No rush. The event isn’t until May. I have plenty of time.” If the possibility of being left out isn’t incentive enough to purchase your ticket today, how about a special offer? Right now there is an advance-purchase opportunity—that is, buy now because the ticket prices will increase on March 15.

OK, now that we’ve talked tickets, I want to take a moment to talk about one more very important thing: Sponsors.

Sponsors make this event spectacular. Without their support there is no event. Their generosity ensures that we raise funds for scholarships. Now more than ever, scholarships are the great equalizer. They ensure that talented students can get the education they need to enter the creative economy.

In particular I want to thank our title sponsor the Limitedbrands Foundation. They have been generous supporters of this event for many years. Their philanthropy is an investment in CCAD. Scholarships lead to education, education develops a creative, competitive workforce.

In addition, big thanks to: Runway Sponsor, EXPRESS;  Fashion Lookbook Sponsor, Abercrombie & Fitch; Easton Fashion Award Sponsor, Easton Town Center;  VIP Cocktail Reception Sponsor, Nationwide; Après-Runway Dance Party Sponsors, alive! & Justice; Couture Sponsors, Diamond Cellar, Huntington Bank, Lane Bryant, Macy’s, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, & RG Barry/Dearfoams; Printing Sponsor, baseman; In-Kind Sponsors, Cameron Mitchell Catering, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Live!, Mukha Custom Cosmetics, & Ologie; In-Kind Supporters, Lasting Impressions, Pepsi Cola Bottling of Columbus, & Studio Fovero; In-Kind Friends, Donatos, Foot Petals, Inc., & Middle West Spirits; and Media Sponsors, Capital Style & CD101.

As you head over to the Fashion Show Event page please take a moment to note the sponsors listed there and our fabulous host committee co-chaired by Karen & Michael Fiorile and Ellen & Ed Yen.

Finally, on a side note, this is my third year blogging about the fashion show; and I am excited to announce a change—I will not be blogging alone. Another writer will be joining me (you’ll meet her later). It will be awesome to bring a new voice to the blog, but I’ll admit—it’s a little bittersweet. This gig is so fun that it’s hard to share even one interview or story.

There’s a lot coming up in the following months. There will be a photo shoot for the lookbook, a team of fashion professionals will come to review the designer’s collection and jury the final garments for the show, and we’ll introduce you to each of the designers.

OK, go get your tickets now.