Crimson-soled Christian Louboutins sauntered around the events space, 4C, in the main building. Quilted Chanel bags draped across cocktail dresses, and bow ties contrasted brightly against pink oxfords. For the first time this year, SCAD SEEN, a showcase of the senior fashion collection, and the Scholarship Gala, a fundraiser for SCAD Atlanta, were combined to create the SCAD SEEN Gala. Tuesday evening’s affair, which included a silent auction, put the spotlight on SCAD fashion students from Savannah and Atlanta.
What student typically know as the foundation studies floor was transformed into a lounging area and showroom. As soon as the elevator doors opened, SCAD staff members and a large, brightly lit box greeted guests, pointing the way to the silent auction.
The term “silent auction” seemed ill-fitting for the bustling crowd who chatted and admired the student work on the walls. After walking through the hall, guests poured out into the event space which was only illuminated by eight, brightly lit partitions in the center.
Each student stood inside their own boutique-style space, along with a rack holding four or five garments and a dress form adorned with a showstopping piece. Lindsey Hopkins, a fourth-year student in fashion design, featured a purple, one-shouldered dress with a stunning, floral, accordion-pleat overlay. The general feeling from the students was one of excitement. “It’s nice to get feedback from professors, but getting positive feedback from other people tonight has been great,” Erika Cheng said, a fourth-year student in fashion design.
Several students had no idea how they were chosen for the gala, but Lorena Cuevas, another fashion design student in her fourth year, said she thought that the top fashion students were singled out for this special night.
Among the crowds of people who attended the event was co-creator of the animated action adventure series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” Barbara Pyle, who is no stranger to SCAD animation students. “I love SCAD and SCAD students,” Pyle said. Jennifer Hristov, who used to employ a SCAD student, attended Tuesday night for the third year in a row. “It’s a really great way to see everything that SCAD has to offer,” Hristov said. “I didn’t even know they had a fashion program.”
The guest list included friends of SCAD students and faculty members. They joined in small groups and sampled the hors d’oeuvres, which included marinated shrimp atop filet of beef, seared diver scallops with slow-cooked mango chutney and blackened chicken with polenta cake.
Over 600 people attended the event, which was put together many different departments including the office of institutional advancement, the communications department, Michael Fink, the dean of the School of Fashion at SCAD Savannah and David Goodrowe, the associate dean of the School of Fashion at SCAD Atlanta. Guests who purchased a $275 ticket were allowed to come from 6:30-8 p.m. for the “Buy It Now” option. All other guests arrived at 8 p.m. to bid on the artwork, which were all produced by students, faculty and alumni. All proceeds went to SCAD’s scholarship fund.
Correction, May 27, 2011
An earlier version of this article stated that Michael Fink was the chair of the fashion design department in Savannah. He is actually the dean of the School of Fashion in SCAD Savannah. It also stated that David Goodrowe was the chair of the fashion design department at SCAD Atlanta when he is in fact the associate dean of the School of Fashion. The event was not solely organized by the office of institutional advancement and the communications department, but was a joint effort by many SCAD personnel.
