Photo by LuAnne DeMeo
This past Saturday May 17, Savannah hosted SCAD’s 2014 fashion show. Thirty seniors and graduate students had the chance to showcase their work at SCAD’s Museum of Art. The building was transformed into a twisting and turning runway that held spectacular movement and bustling energy.
Preparations for the event have been going on since January, from deciding which pieces will be involved in the show to training the student models. Not known for cutting corners, SCAD once again brought in runway coach Miss J. Alexander to make sure the models had a fierce walk. When asked about why he decided to help out with the school’s fashion show, he replied, “André Leon Talley [SCAD trustee and Vogue contributing editor] asked me 14 years ago if I would come help with the students teach them how to walk and I thought, ‘Why not?’ “
Compared to past shows where SCAD’s Trustees Theatre was home to the event, this one had the feel of a true fashion show. Being able to sit right up near the designs as they flowed past was a great way to capture the aesthetic and details of the outfits.
We ran into SCAD Atlanta designer and fourth-year fashion student Wesley Berryman, and asked what was the inspiration behind his dynamic collection which featured cozy, structural coats. He replied, “[The pieces] were inspired by a unisex fashion collection. It’s really all about creating a wardrobe for a unisex customer no matter who you are or what gender you are.”
Photo by LuAnne DeMeo.
Even though the fashion show was a major hit, it wasn’t the only talk of the night. Right before the 8 p.m. showing that went live on SCAD’s fashion page, SCAD awarded the annual Andre Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award to Stephen Burrows, the first African-American designer to gain international recognition. In the 1970s, Burrows defined the look of an entire generation with his vibrant color combinations, use of stretch fabric and metallics. His designs have been worn throughout the decades by icons such as Diana Ross, Iman, Cher, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss, Barbara Streisand and Michelle Obama. Burrows now joins the list of past winners like Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford and Diane Von Furstenberg.
The sold-out event was followed by a lovely reception in the courtyard where the designs were reunited with their designers. Guests were snapping photos and recording videos as they huddled to get a shot or an interview with the designers.
At the end of it all SCAD delivered a killer show. The change in venue recieved tons of praise and couldn’t have been more perfect. Congratulations goes out to the designers and volunteers that helped make this show amazing.
