OCTAVIUS MARISON DEBUTS FW 20/21 COLLECTION WITH FASHION DESIGN STUDENTS AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF ATLANTA

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Photo Credits: Paras Griffin/GETTY and Art Institute of Atlanta’s Taylor Bareford; Phaedra Williamson

Photo Credits: Paras Griffin/GETTY and Art Institute of Atlanta’s Taylor Bareford; Phaedra Williamson

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

Fashion Veteran Octavius Terry and Top Atlanta Fashion Designers Guide Students of The Art Institute of Atlanta To Runway Success

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Seventeen up-and-coming fashion designers to showcase their work

alongside Terry’s at a Japanese Street Racing themed show.

Fashion designer, Octavius Terry

Fashion designer, Octavius Terry

On March 14, 2020, seventeen designers from The Art Institute of Atlanta will showcase the talent, determination, and creativity they’ve transformed into their Fall/Winter 20/21 and Spring ‘21 collections. The show will take place at The Art Institute of Atlanta located at 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328. The evening begins with a VIP reception at 4 p.m. and followed by the runway show at 6 p.m.

The show is the brainchild of Octavius Terry, fashion designer and fashion design program director at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Current fashion students at the school vied for the opportunity to show their collections at the event. Designers were vetted and selected by the school’s fashion faculty and seventeen were chosen to proceed in designing a mini-collection of three to six looks based on the theme of “Tokyo Drift.” Each designer was mentored along the way by elite Atlanta fashion professionals Brandin Vaughn, Ismael Pacheco, Jasmine Elder, Kudzanai Karidza, and Reco Chapple. The seventeen student designers’ work will be shown alongside Terry’s Fall/Winter 20/21 collection titled “OCTAVIUS MARISON” at the event and promises to be a night to remember in Atlanta fashion.

“These designers understand that fashion is more than buzz worthy garments. It’s a process that involves inspiration, sketching, fabric selection, garment construction, and endless revisions before a creation can be shown,” said Terry. “They’ve overcome challenges and pushed their creative limits. Along the way, they’ve proven that they have what it takes to design and present a collection on the runway.”

The show is giving more than these seventeen students a glimpse into the life of fashion. “Current students in The Art Institute’s programs have helped to create an event that will wow the Atlanta fashion community and make the show an annual staple on the city’s fashion calendar,” said Campus President Elden Monday. “The filming, graphic design, catering, and audio for the event are all being handled by our students. Culinary students will cater the event, film and photography students will capture the evening’s excitement by camera, industrial design and graphic students have helped to design sets and materials as well. Across the campus, this event gives students the opportunity to work on a real-life project and make an impact in the arts.”

Carlton Lee Studios is assisting with set design and famed choreographer Jamal Sims is directing and co- producing for the event. Tickets for the VIP party and event can be purchased HERE.

FASHIONADO

The Future of Fashion

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The future of fashion is with Une Belle Revolution so, if our future is held within our youth, then I can firmly say that with the talent coming from UBR, the future will most certainly be stylish. UBR is lead by Ms. V. Kottavei Williams who works tirelessly and passionately harnessing the creative spirit of her young and ambitious students. This unique fashion design program was created eighteen years ago by fashionado’s E. Vincent Martinez and taken over by Ms. Williams in 2012.

So exactly what is Une Bell Revolution and what makes it so special? UBR is Grady High School’s fashion design program - yes, high school. Grady High School is a gem, the shining star within its school district, excelling in the arts: visual, music, photography and fashion.

With Ms. Williams at the helm of the fashion program, her students are operating at a college level. They are learning garment construction, pattern making, special sewing techniques and illustration. By their senior year, UBR students are designing, creating and producing cohesive capsule collections. The annual runway show is a awe-inspiring and energetic celebration of the vision, talent and creativity of our youth.

Since the beginning of the fashion program, graduating designers have gone off to notable fashion schools like the Art Institute of Atlanta, Scad and FIT to name a few.

DOTC - Doggies on the Catwalk founder, E. Vincent Martinez presented Ms. Williams with a donation for her program. DOTC was created by Martinez in his Grady High School classroom 12 years ago and in alignment with the DOTC Foundation’s mission of su…

DOTC - Doggies on the Catwalk founder, E. Vincent Martinez presented Ms. Williams with a donation for her program. DOTC was created by Martinez in his Grady High School classroom 12 years ago and in alignment with the DOTC Foundation’s mission of supporting arts programs and fashion schools, the SEAM Grant has been created. Une Belle Revolution is its first recipient. SEAM - Supporting Education in Apparel Mastery.

FASHIONADO

Opening Reception: BEYOND THE CATWALK

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You’re invited to the opening reception of Beyond The Catwalk on Friday April 12th 7-9PM at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Beyond The Catwalk is an editorial photo essay of fashion and dogs - a creative collaboration between Art Institute students and alumni and industry professionals. The project came to fruition through a series of beautifully staged, styled and created images.

Beyond The Catwalk is a product of Doggies on the Catwalk [DotC], a 501 c3 that supports pet-based organizations. The exhibit runs April 7-May 13th with proceeds from the sales of the images benefitting DotC. The exhibit and opening reception are free and open to the public.

This project and exhibit was made possible through the efforts and support of great partners: photographers Taylor Bareford, Kris Burris and Andrew Segovia, Jenni Lubo Click Models, Nyssa Green The GreenRoom Agency, Atlanta Pet Life Magazine, Brugal 1888, Emerald Hare, The Goat Farm, Tula Arts Center AND a very special thank you to ALL the Art Institute of Atlanta designers, models from Click and all the doggies and their parents!

FASHIONADO

Emerging Designer Take-over at Doggies on the Catwalk

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doggies on the catwalk art institute fashionado

Runway & Photo Shoots

The Art Institute of Atlanta

For the second year in a row, the Art Institute of Atlanta has commanded the 'catwalk' at the annual Doggies on the Catwalk hosted at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. These emerging designers continue to demonstrate their talent and creativity. They wowed guests with their edgy, glam and RTW looks. The designers' vision came to fruition through our partnerships with CLICK Models and the Green Room Agency. Nyssa Green and her spectacular team gave life to all looks with the right hair and make-up. [And] because these clever designers know how to make use of the best opportunities, they took the time before the event to shoot editorial photos with their models. 

They make me very proud and it's been a pleasure serving as their professor at the Art Institute of Atlanta. The President and Provost sat in the front row of Doggies on the Catwalk and just gleamed with well-deserved pride. The featured designers were: Haze Devlin, Tyra Hart, Katherine Hillis and Tierra Macon.

Can't get enough?? Join us on June 12th at the AC Hotel in Buckhead for the Art Institute of Atlanta Senior Showcase runway show for more!

fashionado

Recap: A Conversation with Fern Mallis

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On Wednesday, August 3rd, the most fashionable destination in the city was without a doubt, the Art Institute of Atlanta. With programs of study such as fashion design, interior design and culinary arts, the Art Institute is a pretty stylish place on a daily basis, but when they hosted fashion icon, Fern Mallis this week, their style meter shot through the roof. 

Fern Mallis spoke to a standing room only audience about [her] early years at the CFDA and how [she] created New York Fashion Week. Before the "conversation" however, Fern graciously spent over an hour greeting guests, giving hugs and taking photos. 

In the lecture hall, Fern shared details about herself and career to a very captive audience. As she offered advice to students, it was clear that Fern Mallis is authentic, humbly recognizes her accomplishments and believes in giving back. She is so engaging and lights up when telling stories and talking (and humanizing) her famous designer friends such as Calvin Klein. One of my favorites stories - I've heard twice now! - is about a Michael Kors runway show pre-NYFW. The boom and bass from the massive DJ speakers shook the old building so badly that chunks of the ceiling fell onto the runway during the show. Supermodels, Naomi, Linda, Christy sashayed through the rubble, never missing a beat, after all, they were super-models. A large piece of plaster landed on the lap of fashion editor Suzy Menkes! Priceless, but also unsafe. This was the catalyst for creating a centralized fashion week location... the rest... is fashion history. 

Fern spoke passionately and proudly about her book Fashion Lives - a large, hardcover coffee table about the lives of some of the greatest American fashion designers - all who started from nothing, many who now have empires.

I'm not only a fashion blogger but a proud educator at the Art Institute of Atlanta. "A Conversation with Fern Mallis" was a huge fashion moment for us, our students and the Atlanta fashion community.

fashionado

A Conversation with Fern Mallis

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fern mallis nyfw fashion lives

Hump day just upped its style-game - well, at least on August 3rd when the "fashion icon" herself, Fern Mallis, spends the afternoon with you at the Art Institute of Atlanta.

I had the pleasure of meeting Fern at Charleston Fashion Week. I also had the privilege of hearing her speak and she is quite captivating. As you can imagine, as the creator of New York Fashion Week and as the former executive director of the CFDA, Fern Mallis has plenty of fun and interesting stories.

RSVP at aiatlantarsvp@gmail.com *Seating is limited so rsvp for yourself +1, only.

Fern Mallis will be signing copies of her book so make sure to get yours and bring on Aug. 3rd!

fashionado