Otis Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show Raises Over $1 Million for Student Scholarships
Celebrities, designers, industry leaders, and educators attend black-tie event, supporting young designers and launching sustainability alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, CA – May 7, 2013 - Otis College of Art and Design’s 31st Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show, in Beverly Hills, CA on May 4, 2013, raised over $1 million for student scholarships. The annual benefit black-tie gala is Los Angeles' largest fashion runway show, attracting celebrities, designers, business and entertainment industry leaders, and philanthropists to support burgeoning young talent in fashion and design.
This year the event wowed a crowd of nearly 800, showcasing the work of upcoming designers mentored by Bob Mackie, Mary Jo Bruno, Billabong, Christopher Wicks, Claire Pettibone, Cynthia Vincent, Disney, EleVen, Halston and Humane Society, Urban Outfitters, and Betsy Heimann with Western Costume.
Highlights included projects with Halston and the Humane Society re-defining luxury in faux fur, with Billabong designing sustainable swimwear, with Disney and Pixar creating costumes for the upcoming feature Monsters University, and with Venus Williams’ EleVen designing tennis apparel.
The Otis Sustainability Alliance, a major new initiative partnering leading apparel brands with educators and designers to promote and educate the public about sustainable practice, was launched with recognition of the inaugural partners - Eddie Bauer, Disney, Nike, Patagonia, Quiksilver, and Todd Oldham.
“It’s not just what you create, it’s what you leave behind,” said Otis Trustee Roger Wyett, Nike’s Vice President of Action Sports with Responsibility.
“We’re here to raise money so students can have opportunities in the future,” said Kirk Nix of KNA Designs, honored with the Creative Vision Award for his iconic work around the globe.
The inaugural Style Icon Award went to Sally Perrin, Creative Director of Perrin Paris, for her iconic style that combines a unique and discerning feminine eye with French tradition. “I’m so proud to be an Angeleno tonight,” she said.
Attendees included Quiksilver CEO Bob McKnight, Hurley CEO Bob Hurley, Nike V.P. Roger Wyett, Publisher Alan Klein, Philanthropist Elaine Goldsmith, Art Patrons Francisco George and William Escalera, Cliff and Mandy Einstein, Filmmaker Mace Neufeld, Nicolas Bijan Pakzad, Kate and Art Coppola, Jennifer Perry, Dr. Gabriel Chiu, Christina Chiu, Peter Lai, Lu Parker, Lena Hermansson, Cameron Silver, Bob Colomby, Carolyn Mahboubi, Newman and Jonathan Arndt, Alma Ruiz, Nancy Moonves, and Frederick Fischer.
Runway show included:
Disney
Project: Design inspired novelty active sportswear that can easily cross over to lifestyle, based on a character in upcoming Disney feature.
EleVen by Venus
Project: Design colorful tennis apparel, both functional and timeless, evoking the style of Venus Williams.
Halston and the Humane Society
Project: Design for sustainability and re-define luxury in faux fur.
Billabong
Project: Explore sustainable materials in designing swimwear using recycled Billabong fabrics.
Mary Jo Bruno
Project: Design a lingerie collection for a modern-day masquerade party.
Cynthia Vincent
Project: Design a collection for the city nomad, mixing time and place to create caftans, jabalas, and other classics.
Urban Outfitters
Project: Create a layered look that incorporates elements of travel with reworked military surplus, cam, and denim, mixing old, new, East, and West.
Christopher Wicks
Project: Design a collection inspired by 1960s music and rock and roll.
Bob Mackie
Project: Design classic elegant dresses inspired by Art Deco jewels - diamond, ruby, amethyst, sapphire, and emerald.
Betsy Heimann with Western Costume
Project: Design a modern look inspired by famous movies of the 1930s, 40s, and 70s and costumes from the Western Costume Collection.
Claire Pettibone
Project: Design sweet young bridal dresses for non-traditional brides, along with soft nighties and pajamas.
About Otis College of Art and Design
Founded in Los Angeles in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design prepares diverse students of art and design to enrich the world through their creativity, their skill, and their vision. The College offers an interdisciplinary education for 1200 full-time students, awarding BFA degrees in Advertising, Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Digital Media, Fashion Design, Illustration, Graphic Design, Product Design, Painting, Photography, Sculpture/New Genres, and Toy Design; and MFA degrees in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. Continuing Education offers certificate programs as well as personal and professional development courses. Additional information is available at http://www.otis.edu.
Otis College of Art and Design
9045 Lincoln Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
www.otis.edu
800-527-6847
