On March 14, 2020 the Art Institute of Atlanta made fashion history with their extraordinary, student-driven production which even made national headlines via E! News and Essence.com. The newsworthy event boasted a celeb-filled front row to include Eva Marcille, Angelica Ross, Dyllon Burnside, Terri J. Vaughn and Jamal Sims, who directed the show that provided the talented students of the Art Institute of Atlanta the experience of a real-world, first-class production. Students, faculty and administrators across all disciplines worked together in unison to produce the multi-media extravaganza: fashion design, photography, video & audio production, culinary arts, graphic design and interior design.

Sixteen fashion design students participated in the juried fashion premiere. They showcased capsule collections in menswear and ready-to-wear featuring a wide variety of genres, from eveningwear to gender-fluid fashion. It was evidently clear that the future of fashion is alive and thriving at the Art Institute of Atlanta. For added educational value and impact, the young designers were paired with professional fashion designers months before the runway show. The mentorship guided students to success while offering real-world working situations that included multiple fittings with professional models, critiques, garment mockups and working alongside industry professionals on all levels of production.

Visually, the fashion show was dynamic, from the set to the clothes to the choreography of the models. The set was designed and built by Carlton Lee Studios and featured two jumbo screens and a custom neon lit runway within the open air lower deck of the parking lot - think The Fast & The Furious, Tokyo Drift. To drive home the theme (no pun intended) Lexus sponsored the event with car placement - on the runway itself! The Lexus LC 500 and Lexus RCF Track Edition were positioned front and center becoming a focal point and anchoring the runway. Jamal Sims (Aladdin movie choreographer) directed the show to perfection. The culmination of movement, set design, hair and make up by Paul Mitchell Schools and of course, the fashion, made for a spectacular presentation.

Lastly but most certainly not least, Octavius Terry, the man behind the vision and the Art Institute of Atlanta’s Fashion Coordinator said this was a “dream come true.” Terry, who is a menswear designer, joined the Art Institute nearly two years ago and from the beginning talked about bringing together all departments for an all-inclusive, collaborative production that, under faculty guidance, would be 100% student driven and produced. His dream was realized and more.

Octavius Terry debuted his FW 20/21 menswear collection titled “Octavius Marison.” The fourteen look collection offered an elevated interpretation of streetwear meets sartorial elegance. “The mix of modern living and antiquated living (near the Wall of China)” was an inspiration said Terry. “Kill Bill came to mind because it is all about the underdog rising and that’s what I felt about our school, faculty, students and also myself.” The collection was rich in color and pattern. It was edgy yet wearable. An obsession-worthy key element to the collection were the various ponchos with bold zipper hardware. A definite must-have.

And just as we thought things couldn’t get bigger or better, the grand finale came with a Proclamation for Octavius Terry presented by Councilman Antonio Brown - an emotional highlight of the evening.

History was made at the Art Institute of Atlanta. On all levels.

FASHIONADO