California's Next Generation: Otis College of Art and Design
Designer legends and budding designers came together for Otis College of Art and Design’s 2002 graduation fashion show and scholarship benefit on May 4 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. The event raised $750,000 for student scholarships.
Industry executives and designers, including Quiksilver’s Bob McKnight, Mossimo Giannuli and Anne Cole, co-mingled at the event, which drew some 1,000 attendees.
Otis chair Stuart Buchalter, Otis College of Art and Design president Samuel C. Hoi and Otis School of Fashion founding chair Rosemary Brantly were on hand to honor Otis’ 2002 Creative Vision Award recipients: Ocean Pacific chairman and chief executive officer Richard Baker; Linda Platzner, president and group publisher of PRIMEDIA Teen Group; and Matt Bousquette, president of Boys/Entertainment Mattel Inc.
“We pay tribute to honorees, and to their companies, for their vital role in shaping the look as well as the values of young people,” said Hoi.
Junior-class design mentors Rod Beattie for La Blanca, Julie Ann Silverman for Bebe and Anna Kinney for Op helped students put together a standout collection of swimwear that ranged from trendy cowgirl themes to sleek and sophisticated looks.
The junior class also created sportswear and activewear collections with the help of designers Janice Levin-Krok from Poleci, Steve McSween and Andrew Schiff from Gap, Jason Phillips and Scott Williams from Nike and Lorle Campos from Cach Cach.
Contemporary designers Andrew Dibben, Rozae Nichols, Ryan Guinn and Michelle Mason helped students invent some very edgy and unique fashion designs. But, seemingly, the highlights of the event were students’ eveningwear designs for Jeremy Scott’s Ultimate Time Travel Party and Bob Mackie’s internationally inspired gowns. —Claudia Figueroa
