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The 79th annual presentation of The School of the Art Institute Chicago’s fashion design student collection had some highs and some not so highs. Though there were 3 shows during the day we attended the last presentation of the day.
Before Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte were presented with the SAIC “Legend of Fashion” Award and before Melissa Sage Fadmin was honored with the newly created ‘Heart of Fashion” award
Once guests were ushered to their seats, the night’s emcee Anne Slowey-Fashion News Director at Elle Magazine said a few words and the show began. Guests in attendance to take in the show included: Ikram Goldman, Mickey Boardman, Margaret MacLean, Eda Davidman(Co-Chair of Siskel Film center benefit with Gywneth Paltrow), Amy DuBois Barnett, Ellen Sandor, Amy Tara Koch, Jared Hatch, the Swarovski Chicago team led by Nicole Green to name a few.
The presentation started with the sophomore collection which was different design interpretations of white and featured a tulip style dress, to a long gown.
The Junior collection showed a lot of talent and promise. Shay Troy completed models outfits with bangles necklaces, which could be the new trend. Jee Hye Kim’s collection was very well constructed, though not sure where one would wear those felt-like hats the models wore ((we could creaet a felt hat party). Standout student designed pieces from the junior collection were: Rachel Garcia, Crystle Curbaugh and Caitlin Russell.
Savannah Cipriano (any relation to the NY Cipriano) opened the senior collection showcase and as her pieces came down the runway, you could picture it being wearable for the everyday (Chicago) woman looking to make a chic fashionable statement. The Factor models came down the runway, with each senior student showing 3-4 pieces. Everything from knitted gas masks from Jaqueline Nadolski (in collaboration with Taylor Compton) to Marianne Finneran’s gypsy peasant to a thisclose attempt at the current grunge look seen on the mainstream design runways, by Seth Garlock. Marie Froelich sent down a beige coat that can definitely come in handy for the Chicago fall/winter. The standout from the senior collection was Sam Salvo in a collection which he called private vices,public virtues.
Following the fashion presentation, President of SAIC, Dr. Walter Massey introduced who presented Kate and Laura Mulleavy with the 2013 SAIC “Legend iof Fashion Award.” Upon accepting the sisters noted “in this job there is a lot of highs and lows, we will take this for the team. We want to thank Ikram for always pushing us.” Their speech was sweet short and honest.
The Heart of Fashion award which was established this year honored long time SAIC supporter Melissa Sage Fadim, The award will not be a recurring one but rather given to someone identified by SAIC as admirable and deserving of the award. Melissa Sage Fadim through the scholarship established has provided great opportunities for students to continue their studies at SAIC.
