The Columbus College of Art & Design 2012 Senior Fashion Show kicks off at 8:45 p.m. Friday at the Design Studios on Broad, at 390 E. Broad St. General admission doors open at 8 p.m.
Fifty-four designs by 15 graduating seniors will come down the runway during the 11th annual event, which is expected to raise $200,000 for CCAD’s general scholarship fund.
The show not only helps fund the educations of future students, but also showcases the work of talented designers to creative industry employers, said Laurie Beth Sweeney, CCAD vice president for advancement.
For years, the garments made by seniors were part of a student exhibition. Eventually, the exhibition grew into a runway event held in CCAD’s auditorium, and students’ family members were invited to attend as part of commencement weekend celebrations.
About 10 years ago, local fashion and retail employers were invited to the show to scout local talent. In 2007, the event was converted to a fundraiser that included brunch and a runway show held on the Limited Brands campus; it was relocated to CCAD in 2009.
Then last year, the festivities were transformed yet again.
The show was moved from Saturday afternoon to Friday night, brunch was substituted with a cocktail reception, and a post-show dance party was added, changes that I thought gave the event a distinctly different vibe− one that’s a little less formal and a bit more hip.
As always, this year’s seniors were instructed to keep a particular theme in mind as they created garments for the show. Their directive: to use a two-dimensional and three-dimensional work of art from the same period (before 1950) as their muses.
Salvador Dali, Gustav Klimt, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Vincent van Gogh are among the artists students looked to for inspiration.
On March 1, the students presented up to six completed garments to a nine-member jury of fashion industry professionals. Not only did jury members provide comments on overall design, fit, quality, fabric and construction, they determined which designs will grace the runway Friday.
If you’re curious to see their selections, it’s not too late; a limited number of general admission tickets are still available.
General admission tickets cost $125 and include standing-room admission to the show, admission to the après runway dance party (which goes until 11 p.m.), and two complimentary drink tickets.
To purchase tickets, visit CCAD.edu/fashion.