Top Fashion Designers Mentor the Next Generation at @OtisCollege of Art and Design

The BFA Fashion Design program at Otis College of Art and Design gives students direct access to top designers in the industry. This year Todd Oldham and MTA, Uniqlo, Prairie Underground, Joie, Nanette Lepore, Lucky Brand, Amuse Society, Bob Mackie, Blu Pony Vintage, Michi, Perry Ellis, and J Brand will work with students to design one-of-a-kind garments that will be shown on the runway, auctioned at the Otis Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show on Saturday, May 7th, 2016 in Beverly Hills, CA., and displayed in the windows of Neiman Marcus, Beverly Hills, CA.

The Otis Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show, L.A.’s largest runway show, is held every spring, to both highlight fresh industry talent and raise vital scholarship funding for Otis students. The benefit black-tie event hosts leaders of the art, fashion, and entertainment worlds and has raised upwards of $1 million for student scholarships. Many of these promising young artists and designers would be unable to complete their education without this support. Now in its 34th year, the Otis Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show was originally the brainchild of philanthropist Elaine Goldsmith. Elaine has been an indefatigable supporter for over three decades, serving as Trustee and Founding Chair. Through her leadership efforts, many deserving students have received the Elaine and Bram Goldsmith scholarship, enabling them to continue their education.

2015-16 PROJECTS AND DIRECTIONS

Todd Oldham and MTA – From fashion publishing to interiors, playful American designer Todd Oldham is known for delving into different mediums. This time he will partner with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and students will develop a sportswear line for the commuter committed to sustainable living.

Uniqlo – Uniqlo offers fashion basics with elegance and longevity in mind. will be designing for men, women, and children with a focus on Responsible Design. Under the direction of Yukihiro Katsuta, Group Senior Vice President of Fast Retailing Co., they will minimize impact on the environment while designing real clothes for real people.

Prairie Underground – Crafted in Seattle, Prairie Underground is made almost exclusively with sustainable textiles. The style is utilitarian, comfortable, and chic. Designer/Founder Davora Linder will have students create washable suiting separates that are both innovative and make use of sustainable super-material, hemp.

Joie – Understated, casual elegance is the focus of this contemporary brand. Inspired by Tokyo nights, Associate Designer and Otis alumna Jessica Mead will be working with students to develop a line of print dresses.

Nanette Lepore – Nanette Lepore is inspired by the newly opened borders of Cuba. Students will design swimwear with print and color mixing to show the vitality of the streets of Cuba.

Lucky Brand – Lifestyle powerhouse Lucky Brand infuses American attitude into every design. Artists, musicians, and free-spirits everywhere flock to their distinctive, authentic pieces. Students will create soft and dreamy dresses tinted with the romanticism of India and the Far East.

Amuse Society – Beach-meets-street lifestyle brand Amuse Society is the brainchild of friends and designers Mandy Fry and Summer Rapp. Students will be creating swimwear from neoprene that are metallic, sexy, and include laser-cutting details.

Bob Mackie – The iconic Bob Mackie is renowned for his stunning gowns off and on the stage and screen. This year, inspired by Toulouse-Lautrec, students will create beautiful gowns that evoke the work of the French artist but with a modern feel.

Blu Pony Vintage – Fusing designs of the past with contemporary fashion, Blu Pony Vintage offers children’s apparel with a timeless quality. Inspired by the 1930s, students will create a collection for young girls.

Michi – Fearless pioneer Michi offers fashion forward performance sportswear. Students will design avant-garde sportswear with unexpected dual functionality: ultimate performance meets downtown cool..

Perry Ellis - Perry Ellis offers timeless apparel for the modern man. Creative Director Michael Maccari will have students explore the origins of workwear versus future-forward sportswear to take the best of yesterday and apply the knowledge and technology of today.

J Brand – California denim at it’s best, J Brand was founded to create the most perfect fitting jean. J Brand mentor and Otis alumna, Angie Furlong will have students create “The Modern Suit”, an androgynous denim jacket and pant focused on fine tailoring.

ABOUT THE OTIS FASHION DESIGN BFA PROGRAM
Fashion Design at Otis trains students in all aspects of the design process, offering a fully accredited BFA degree. The school year follows the industry schedule and several seasons are designed simultaneously. Working with professional mentors, students learn far more than drawing, sewing, and pattern making skills: they experience all facets of the industry, and they learn to meet deadlines with creativity and self-discipline. Graduates enter the profession as assistant designers, associate designers, illustrators, costume designers, textile designers, accessory designers, and product designers. Some start their own clothing lines immediately upon graduation.

ABOUT OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is a national leader in art and design education. The College mission is to prepare diverse students of art and design to enrich our world through their creativity, skill, and vision. Alumni and faculty are Fulbright, MacArthur, and Guggenheim grant recipients, Oscar awardees, legendary costume designers, leaders of contemporary art movements, and design stars at Apple, Anthropologie, Patagonia, Adobe, Pixar, DreamWorks, Mattel, Nike, and Disney.

Otis enrolls approximately 1,100 full-time students, and offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Digital Media (Game and Entertainment Design, Animation, and Motion Design), Fashion Design, Communication Arts (Graphic Design, Illustration, and Advertising Design), Fine Arts (Painting, Photography, and Sculpture/New Genres), Product Design, and Toy Design. Otis also awards the Master of Fine Arts degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing.

The five-acre main campus is located on L.A.’s Westside near the beach and LAX; the Graduate Studios are in nearby Culver City, and in the 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica.

2,700 adults and children participate in Continuing Education art and design classes and workshops.
Additional information is available at http://www.otis.edu

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