NEXT GENERATION DESIGNS SET TO HIT THE RUNWAY ON MAY 11th
14th Annual Eloise Student Fashion Show Returns To The Factory
at Franklin
FRANKLIN,
Tenn. – Twenty-five student designers will send their individual collections
down the runway during the 14th annual Eloise Student Fashion Show on
Friday, May 11. Eloise is the grand finale of Design Week,
O’More College of Design’s premier annual event showcasing the emerging talent
across the College’s four departments.
Pre-juried
clothing collections made by selected junior and senior O’More fashion design
students are presented in a highly produced, New York-style fashion show. Each
collection includes five to ten pieces, all illustrated, patterned, draped and
constructed by the participating designers. The show will be held in
Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn. Seating will begin at 7:15 p.m.
and the show will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35, and can be purchased online
at omorefashion.com or
by calling (615) 794-4254, x236.
“The
creative vision and detailed craftsmanship coming from these students could
rival some high-profile runway shows around the country,” said Jamie Atlas,
O’More’s fashion design department chair. “Many of these pieces are
so well constructed that they could be sold in stores now.”
The student
designers’ collections range in style from elegant eveningwear and avant-garde
pieces to whimsical children’s clothing and non-traditional menswear. Each
student has a unique inspiration driving his or her individual expressions, and
several have merged their professional aspirations with the collection that
will hit the runway.
“The
students have been influenced by time periods and cultural icons, in everything
from the human footprint on our ecosystem to the Modernist painter Florine
Stettheimer,” Atlas said. “Most of the collections reflect what the designer
wants to pursue after graduation.”
The junior
and senior students have spent months perfecting their pieces, which went
through several rounds of juries for a chance to make it in the show.
Seniors are
competing for “Distinguished Designer” – an honor that includes a
top-of-the-line sewing machine from SVP Worldwide and cash stipend. They will
also vie for the “Designer Look Book” award, which includes a designer look
book produced by and featuring models from the Reflection
Agency. Juniors are competing for the “Design Achievement” award,
which carries a cash scholarship with it. Prior to the show, a panel of
industry experts will judge the collections on their construction,
cohesiveness, creativity and marketability. The designers will also be judged
on the runway presentation.
The crowd
will have an opportunity to cast their votes, as well. The Eloise Award is
given to the “People’s Choice” – sponsors and guests may text unique codes for
their favorite collections during the show. The winning designer will receive a
PGM dress form. Senior Carly Nelson won the coveted award for the 2011 Eloise Fashion
Show for her stunning "Suspiria" collection, which explored a
person's innermost thoughts and was inspired by horror films. She also won the
“Designer Look Book” honor that year.
The annual
fashion show act acts an important facilitator between O'More students and
industry professionals. Students are involved in every aspect of the event,
including planning, promotion and production.
Presenting
sponsors are Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, the McAfee Foundation, the American
Center for Law & Justice, the Robert N. Moore Company, A Vintage Affair,
Bristol Development Group and IDS.
Founded in 1970, O’More College of Design is a four-year,
not-for-profit, post-secondary institution offering bachelor of fine arts
degrees in fashion design, interior design and visual communications. The
college is located in the downtown historic district of Franklin, Tenn. To
learn more, visit www.omorecollege.edu.
**** Designers to look out for ****
1)
Nashvillian George Bray modeled her "Crystal Flowers" collection
after Modernist painter and poet Florine Stettheimer. There are 10 looks
hitting the runway in her collection, and each reflects a certain painting of
the artist. It is '20s inspired and dominated by sheer materials, exquisite
beading and incredible detail -- she says each look took her around 20 hours to
construct. She has also hand made hats for each look and reconstructed all the
shoes to complete the collection.
2) Paris,
Tenn. native Jennifer Evans's collection "Urbanization" was inspired
by human impact on the environment. She chose both social and environmental
factors and translated that into each of her looks. Her runway pieces gradually
become more detailed and striking, culminating in a dramatic couture gown that
is a juxtapose of refinement and grunge: there are intricately sequined
features, but Jennifer also took a blowtorch sensitive to polyester to the
bottom of the organza fabric dress.
3) Anastasia
Morozova came to Franklin from Eastern Europe's Moldova to attend O'More. Her
collection "Moments" emphasizes on a mix of textures, materials and
patterns in soft silhouettes. Each piece shows incredible craftsmanship and
painstaking attention to detail. Both her journey to O'More and her
collection are incredible.
