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Lights…camera…fashion!

The Art Institute of California in San Francisco will host its annual student fashion show and competition at 8 p.m. Saturday!

The show titled “Lights, Camera Fashion” and will showcase 90 looks from 25 student designers. Guest judges Colleen Quen (the SF-based designer) and Uriel Saenz from L.A. will pick a series of winners, including “Most Creative” and “Best Design.”

Here’s the skinny on the event:

WHAT: Lights, Camera, Fashion: The Art Institute of California’s annual fashion show and competition.

WHEN: 7 p.m. reception, 8 p.m. runway show, Saturday, June 14

WHERE: The San Francisco Design Center Galleria, 101 Henry Adams St. in San Francisco

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $20 for general admission, and $10 for students of any school with a valid school I.D. All tickets at the door are $25. Select VIP tickets are also available for $50, offering all access to the show, special VIP area, preferential seating and light appetizers.

For more info visit www.artinstitutes.edu or call 415-276-1069.

Posted on Friday, June 13th, 2008
Under: Art Institute of California, Clothes, Clothing, Colleen Quen, Designers, Events, Fashion, Fashion Labels, Fashion Shows, Runway, SF Bay Area, Uriel Saenz | Comments Off

Fashion gets sinful at the Art Institute

On Monday, I headed out to Union Square in San Francisco to witness Fashion Fury on the Square: “The Seven Deadly Sins” presented by the Art Institute of California San Francisco. It was gluttonous, wrathful, greedy, slothful, envious, lustful and bubbling over with pride - you get the theme yet?

Not only did the show present the talent of AI fashion students, the show was also a vehicle for the San Francisco Food Bank to help raise hunger awareness at their annual holiday food drive.

The garments made by the students were inspired by the 14th century playwright, Dante Algehieri’s “The Divine Comedy” - the birthplace of the seven deadly sins. I wouldn’t necessarily call them sins these days. They are more like guidelines to live your life in the 21st century.

With a Project Runway twist, the designs were judged by a quartet of fashion professionals: Frank Calvo (Wilkes Bashford), Kevin Wittaker (Blind Bunney Couture), Ali Hartman (PR Special Events for Macy’s) and Lily Achatz (EcoCouture Designer). The only difference between them and Nina, Michael and Heidi was that they didn’t tear apart their work in front of an audience.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the Best in Show for the categories of Couture, Ready to Wear, and Costume/Conceptual - not too shabby.

Now, like Heidi would say - “Let’s start the show!” (cue tacky stock runway music):


“Envy” as interpreted by Brandon Just

Leslie Fong gives us a grungy “sloth” look

Be aware of Rachel Richardson’s “wrath”

Danielle Tifford’s take on “wrath” is devilish

This baby doll look by Aurelia Black is less cute when the word “gluttony” is attached to it

Oh my. This is truly the definition of “gluttony.” Dora Un managed to make it frumpy with style.

Aurelia Black’s “greed” dress was more of an attitude rather than a literal translation

Arlette Samano interprets a Wall Street-type of greed with these minimalist dresses

Autie Carlisle punks the sin of “pride”

Raquel Kirsten’s “lusty” look

Christopher Jackson has his own asymmetrical take on “lust”

This is some fierce “lady of the night lust” designed Branden Just

Jaime Taylor’s take on lust goes for a lighter color palette and deconstructed design

Final thoughts: I saw some of the sins literally translated - others, not so much. I’d have to study some of the outfits more to comprehend the deadly seven. Nonetheless, I did feel sinful while watching the show.

Posted on Wednesday, December 12th, 2007
Under: Art Institute of California, Bay Area Designers, Clothing, Designers, Events, Fashion, Models, Runway, SF Bay Area, San Francisco, Style, Women's | Comments Off