FIDM Student Wins $5,000 Prize for Monkey Suit

DreamWorks Pictures hosted an unusual fashion show, “The Tuxedo: Monkey Suit Fashion Competition,” Feb. 25 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Lipsmacking, banana-loving monkeys graced the runway in an event celebrating the release of “The Tuxedo” DVD.

Simian supermodels hit the runway wearing tuxedos created by Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students. The students who participated in the event’s contest were Elias Luna, Clarione Guiterrez, Gabrielle Palmatier, Shannon Figgins, Lanie De Le Cruz, Kelly Carlson, Helena Palacios, Christina Zeljeznak, Sylvia Garcia and Kok Wai Wong.

Mary Kincaid, Dennis Hopper and Jill Whelan were among the judges selected from Los Angeles’ film and television industries.

Fashion critic Mr. Blackwell announced the names of the chimpanzees as they knucklewalked their way down the runway to songs such as Peter Gabriel’s “Shock the Monkey,” The Beastie Boys’ “Brass Monkey” and the Monkees’ theme song. Some of the decadent and over-the-top fashions included a banana suit with gold sequins and a purple velvet suit accessorized with oversized sunglasses.

Mr. Blackwell awarded a $5,000 check to the winning FIDM student, Clarione Guiterrez, who created a “Nutty Professor”-inspired suit and matching beanie hat. —Claudia Figueroa