O'More Student Fashion Show: May 11, 2012

NEXT GENERATION DESIGNS SET TO HIT THE RUNWAY ON MAY 11th

14^th 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 14^th 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. 

Contact information: gbray@omorecollege.edu; 615-498-0313

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.

Contact information: jevans@omorecollege.edu; 731-707-3692

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.

Contact information: amorozova@omorecollege.edu; 615-796-4029