SMC’s Fashion Program proudly presents the yearly student fashion show – LA MODE 2016 – on Thursday, June 16, 2016.
The 7pm show will feature thirteen collections with an eclectic mix of casual, cocktail, club, and creative, each reflecting the designers’ future aspirations. The event, organized by the Fashion Show Production students, is led by Professor/Producer La Tanya Louis, Collections Director/Professor Jan Ardell, and Advisory Board/ Industry/ Judge Liaison, Professor Lorrie Ivas.
Students from LA and around the world – literally – have developed their collections in completion of their two-year fashion studies at SMC. So, from San Francisco to Sweden to Savannah, Japan, Mexico, Honduras, China to Chicago, Iran, Korea, LA to NYC, Turkey, and Algeria, this production proves fashion is truly global!
The evening will also pay homage to a woman who exemplifies the best of LA’s fashion industry – Ilse Metchek – the founding President of the California Fashion Association (CFA), Executive Director of The Textiles Association of LA (TALA), as well as long-time SMC Fashion Advisory Board Member. She is the most ardent supporter, educator, philanthropist and organizer – the voice of LA Fashion, and fittingly will receive Santa Monica College’s 1st Annual Style and Substance Award.
Industry professionals – from designers, stylists, costume designers, to retailers – will witness and judge the premiere of SMC’s designers of tomorrow, with a panel of SMC alum, each a success story: Rafael Linares, Stylist and Editorial Creative Director – Art Department; Milton Hernandez, Marketing Coordinator – UBM Fashion Group/MAGIC; Edward Luis of Kit and Ace, formerly of Lululemon, freelance stylist and visual merchandiser; and Alex Dorriz, Photographer, Creative Director and Stylist – The Alexandre + Shala Dorriz.
Alums unable to attend – for logistical reasons – include SMC Alum Daniela Gerschwendtner, costume designer of “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Got Talent,” who will be in Sarasota, Florida (June 16th) costuming for the ”Maks and Val Tour”; still in NYC – Jeannine Braden – sales director of Thomas Wylde, plus stylist, creative director and founder of Fred Segal Flair & Brentwood Country Mart’s Post 26, and Svetlana Shigroff, artist, stylist and costume designer, working overseas on projects with Empire of the Sun and Kimbra.
Joining the evening’s judging panel will be the Emmy Award-winning costume designer of “The Nanny,” Brenda Cooper, Blanca Gonzalez, VP/GM West Territory – Nike; the “Sustainable Saint,” stylist, producer, and EcoDiva – Taryn Hipwell, host to TEDxLA Beyond the Label; Esther Ginsberg, vintage curator, collector and founder of LA’s iconic Golyester; Ann Ferriday, designer and president of “made in LA” Ann Ferriday, Inc.; Lizz Adams, buying office co-founder of LA Fashion Scouts; Elizabeth Mason, vintage expert, designer, author of “ Rag Street Journal,” “Valuable Vintage,” and owner of Beverly Hills’ The Paper Bag Princess; and Uriel Saenz, VP of Multicultural Development, Los Angeles Times, initiating LA Times’ Rockstyle event with Macy’s, the first LA Times Black History Month section, the first LGBT section, and multiple partnerships with Asian, LGBT, Latino, Black, and Women’s Interests to cultivate communication and community – as well as being a fashion designer and luxury-marketing creative. All judges will evaluate the thirteen collections, and will award technical achievement, marketability, creativity, as well as best collection. The winners will be announced at the finale, with prizes donated by Fashion Supplies, Inc. and Blick Art Materials.
SMC Photo students will be “shooting” the show, under the direction of Professors Ed Mangus and Josh Withers. SMC Cosmetology students, under the direction of Professor Helen LeDonne, are creating the hair & make-up looks, truly making LA Mode 2016 a collaborative affair!
