Page 2

LIFE & STYLE

Long Beach Shows Its Pride

FEATURES

NEWS

Celebrity Designer Deborah Viereck Shares Her Passion, Inspiration, and Advice
Page 3

T-shirts Help Raise Awareness About Equality for All

Page 7

Volume 1, Issue 6

JUNE 2010

Love. Equality. Pride.

INDEX
NEWS FEATURES FOOD & FUN GAMES & TECH LIFE & STYLE 2 3-4 5 6 7-8

In the spirit of Pride Month the cover was inspired by the pride ag, a symbol of love and acceptance for the unity of two people regardless of gender, race, or sexuality. Mediums used: acrylic on masonite. By Justin Fitzwater

JUNE 2010

NEWS

Long Beach Kicks Off Pride Events in SoCal

By Justin Fitzwater, GAD The Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride celebration is one of the many events held around the world to promote equality, love and respect for others regardless of age, race, gender or sexual orientation. The event took place May 15 -16 and marked the 27th year of the now annual event promoting Pride and public awareness. According to longbeachpride.com the Festival Celebration and accompanying parade are now attracting over 100,000 participants over the two day celebration. Bringing together a large diversity of people, organizations, foods, musical artists and entertainers, there was much to be seen and experienced. Past celebrations featured musical artists such as Grammy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson, Maya, and India Arie. This year saw such headliners as A Flock of Seagulls, Amanda Perez and Divine Brown. Real World DCs Mike Manning could also be found near the Human Rights Campaign tent, promoting them and their fight for equal rights. Long Beach Pride has now become the third largest Pride celebration in the country. As it has grown in size and popularity, LB Pride has proven to be a desirable stage for promoting many of the issues that often otherwise go unnoticed. For this reason, more and more organizations have begun attending the event each year. The Human Rights Campaign was only one of a large number of organizations present working to promote awareness for their cause. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and the Long Beach Aids Foundation were among the betterknown organizations, but this year also saw the inclusion of a new Trans Awareness area that included a stage and booths hoping to raise awareness for the transgender population. Tolerance and acceptance of others of all diversities seemed to be two overlying themes of the many organizations in attendance. Long-time attendees say the festival has grown into a familyoriented event, drawing gay, lesbian and straight couples, families with children and gay teens, writes Kelly Puente of the Press-Telegram Newspaper. Families, both gay and straight, could be found pushing strollers and playing games. Teenagers as well as elderly gay couples walked about holding hands and laughing without worry of who might see. Many couples were even seen standing in momentary

Editor-In-Chief: Kevin Hidalgo Newspaper President: Dante Colombatti Assistant Editor: Justin Fitzwater Games Editor: Andrea Emmes Reporters: Max Beard, Kelsey Campbell Richard Castillo, Andrea Emmes, Justin Fitzwater, Tiffany Kantor, Leslie Mendez, Casey Sunich Photographers: Baokhanh Hoang, Leslie Mendez Illustrators: Justin Fitzwater Web Designer: Ryan Stuhl Advisor: Khara Cloutier Contributors: Christopher Estes, Jorge Ruiz Email: News@LACanvas.com Public Relations: PR@LACanvas Sales: Sales@LACanvas.com Phone: (818) 485-2486

JUNE 2, 2010

THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY

THE ART INSTITUTE of California - Hollywood

5250 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
The college newspaper is published as a learning experience. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibilities of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinion expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of The Art Institute of California - Hollywood, Art Institutes, or any ofce or employee herein. No material may be reprinted without the expressed written permission of L.A. Canvas.

Photos by Justin Fitzwater and Leslie Mendez/ Canvas Staff

Programs of study have been abbreviated next to writers names. Abbreviations are as follows; DFVP: Digital Film & Video Production, DP: Digital Photography, FD: Fashion Design, GAD: Game Arts & Design, GD: Gaphic Design, MAA: Media Arts & Animation, WDIM: Web Design & Interactive Media

People of all ages and races embraced at Long Beach Pride. Pride takes place once a year in most major cities and celebrates diversity, unity, acceptance and love, regardless of who you are or who you love.

embrace, taking a break from the festivities to share a moment of innocent affection. All the while, there were no strange looks or accusations. At one point, however, a small group of people who did not approve of the Pride celebrations and those in attendance, showed up at the event. According to Puente, about six members from the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church protested in front of the Long Beach Convention Center. The group did not actually make their way onto the grounds on which Pride was being held, and their protests were almost completely drowned out by counter-protests. The rest of the weekend passed without incident. Although Las Vegas and Long Beach have already held their Pride Celebrations, Los Angeles will be holding their Pride festivities the weekend of June 11-13 in West Hollywood, on San Vicente between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. For more information, and to find out how you, too, can show your support, visit lapride.org.

FEATURES
Rockin Out In Style
Interview with celebrity fashion designer Deborah Viereck
By Leslie Mendez, GD

JUNE 2010

LAC: How did you get your foot in the door? VIERECK: I started by bastardizing jeans and other clothing with art and patches, then morphed into making tapestry vests, which became very popular. It was the nineties. People were wearing that kind of stuff. My line was called SAGE. LAC: What was your fi rst design job? VIERECK: After a few years of producing my line SAGE, I became bored and felt uninspired by 1990s fashion. Fortunately, I met Gwen Stefani at just the right time. I started making clothes for her in 1995, just as she broke on the music scene with her fi rst hit, Im Just a Girl. Over the next 5 years I made most all of her stage, photo shoot, and video costumes, as well as a lot of her day-to-day stuff. LAC: Who has been your favorite person to design for? VIERECK: I really enjoyed designing for Gwen Stefani and for Marilyn Manson, especially since I was working for both of them at around the same time, and they are such polar opposites. LAC: Where do you turn for inspiration? VIERECK: I am inspired by fabrics. When I see a material I like, I immediately start thinking about what style would be best for it. I also read fashion blogs and magazines, study vintage dresses, and visit the local boutiques. LAC: What is your creative process? Is it all feel or do you follow procedure? VIERECK: I basically collect rolls of fabrics that I like, many rolls. Then, during the weekend, I sit down and I go through my folder of sketches, magazine tear-outs, and fabric swatches. By the end of the weekend I decide which fabric and/or style combinations are best, and then I manifest them during the week at my studio downtown. I make all the patterns myself. LAC: You have designed for many musicians, was that a coincidence or do you tend to gravitate towards that clientele? VIERECK: Making custom clothing, I did gravitate towards musicians because I found that there was a lot of room for creativity, especially with the clients I had. Now that Im designing my collection, I create pieces to suit my stylish readyto-wear customers. LAC: Which designers have influenced you the most? VIERECK: One of my favorites was Alexander Mcqueen, may he rest in peace. I like Gary Graham, Chris Benz, Martin Grant, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander Wang, as well. Marc Jacobs is great for purses and shoes. There is also the genius John Galliano. It really varies from season to season. LAC: You have a background in designing ready-to-wear along with costume pieces, what is your preference? VIERECK: Its an incredible feeling to design for muses and then see them wearing my creations in the spotlight, although I also enjoy knowing that I am responsible for a large number of women looking great in my ready-to-wear line. LAC: Do you love designing for others rather then yourself or vice versa? VIERECK: Even though designing over-the-top costumes was very inspiring, Id have to say that currently my favorite pieces to design are those that I would wear as well. Aside from shoes and accessories, everyday I only wear my own designs. I think I have forgotten how to shop for clothing. Designing for myself and for others is really one in the same thing these days.

Photos Courtesy of Deborah Viereck

LAC: Any advice you would give aspiring fashion designers? VIERECK: Heres my advice, even though its not how I did stuff: The best thing to do is to work or intern at a variety of companies. You will learn a lot if you spend some time with a large manufacturer and some time at a smaller company, work retail for a bit, possibly work in a showroom. If you learn all sides of the business you will thrive.

JUNE 2010

FEATURE

Interview by Jorge Ruiz, GD

Grafti has always been a controversial art. Some see it as vandalism; others see it as art that deserves its place in the gallery. We met with Fresh Force Crew from East L.A. to talk about their growing art style and their views on grafti art.
LAC: How did the crew get its start? APE: In 1998 in the city of East Los Angeles with only two founding members.12 years later, the crew has grown into a group of over 20 and has expanded into other LA cities and has even reached Australia. LAC: How do you feel about graffiti? RELAX: I love it. I think its the soul of the city. FISIK5: I think its inspiring and a good way for kids to stay out of trouble. APE: I feel its a good avenue to release any type of emotion. LAC : What does Fresh Force mean to you and how has being a member of this crew helped you out? 3RDI : To me it is a union of the minds. We come together and rock walls, each helping one another. FF has helped me grow in technique, style and motivates me to keep pushing what Im doing. ASEPH : To me its friends and family. Ive been in other little crews here and there and I realize that they can be pointless. FF is a different crew and painting is about love for the art and pushing yourself to do more with what you have. LAC : Where do you hope art takes you? ASEPH : My hope, as far as my art is concerned, is to just get better so that one day people notice what I can do as an individual and what we can do as a crew. GROSS : Right now I am just going with it. I feel like I need to solidify my name more, earn my credit. I need to get noticed, get my fame. 3RDI : I hope to eventually be featured in more art galleries. I would love to make my living from art

in painting, illustrating, graphic design, and possibly even teaching. LAC: What is your contribution to the art world? 3RDI: I feel I am contributing by just pushing art as much as I can. I hope to inspire others, as others have inspired me. RELAX: I feel that what I bring to the art world [both in graffiti and photography] is my point of view. Its the sum of every experience that Ive had and what thats made me into. ASEPH: I think others who view our art would have a better appreciation but I

suppose if people find some kind of light by what I do, not just graff but other forms of art, then thats all I can ask for. LAC: What are the crews plans for the future? APE: Fresh Forces plan is to grow as artistic individuals which in turn enables us to spread our talent in such fields as photography, graphic design, animation and fine art. We are trying to dominate any art field as much as we can.

5 FOOD & FUN Home of the Original French Dip

JUNE 2010
By Christopher Estes, GD sandwich by mistake and loved it so much that he Los Angeles offers returned the next day for countless options when it another. The rest is, how comes to delicatessens and they say, history. sandwich shops. Having Their French Dipped been a local for 8 years, Sandwich comes with Im always searching for your choice of beef, a great new sandwich. lamb, pork, ham or In all that time almost turkey on a perfectly nothing has stepped up made soft, yet crispy, to the plate, so to speak, French roll which like Philippe The Original they dip for you in hot in downtown LA. This homemade au jus. Its gem has been a landmark a perfect marriage, for over 100 years and for especially if you add good reason. cheese to the sandwich, People from all walks of which melts immediately life, and across the country, after the dip. My meal frequent this classic eatery. suggestion is the beef Its like a step back in time with American cheese with its dark wood walls, sandwich triple dipped shared picnic-style tables, and served with their sawdust covered floor, and own horseradish wall mounted historical mustard. Dare to side railroading displays. And if this perfection with a you want a cup of caffeinated purple pickled egg and heaven, their coffee is still custard pie. only nine cents. Philippe The Original As if its vintage is absolutely the real ambiance wasnt intrigue deal. This throwback Photo by Christopher Estes/ Contributor enough, the food hasnt to a better time is changed in all its years. The French dip sandwich was an accidental invention by Philippe Mathieu in 1918. The French dip sandwich is the staple for located between Dodger To this day you would Stadium and Union this eatery in downtown Los Angeles. be hard pressed to fi nd Station at 1001 N. a worthy opponent. The Alameda Street, Los on a variety of breads or famous French Dipped In truth, it all happened by famous and affordable menu rolls. Although you could Sandwich. The founder of accident one day back in 1918 Angeles, CA 90012 and is is extensive with soups, open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. shoot the menu in the dark this restaurant, Philippe when he dropped a French salads, a variety of pies, Trust me, wherever youre and still make a delectable Mathieu, is actually the roll into a roasting pan fi lled and an amazing traditional located, its defi nitely worth decision, the main attraction claimed inventor of the with hot juice from the oven. tuna salad sandwich served the trip. at Philippes is their world French Dipped Sandwich. The customer took this

Mistaken Identity Turns up Laughs in Happy, Texas

Music

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 stars By Richard Castillo, DFVP Back in 1999, a flood of independent comedies came out of the Sundance Film Festival, but only one made such a strong emotional impact coupled with hilarity; Happy, Texas. The movie follows the goofy shenanigans of Wayne

(played brilliantly by Steve Zahn) and Harry (with the ever charismatic Jeremy Northam) who are two of three prisoners that escape from a chain gang. Now free from prison, they steal an RV, and head towards Happy, Texas. They are assumed to be the RVs rightful owners: A gay couple named Steve and David who go from town to town putting on beauty pageants.

Khara Cloutier

Playlist - Music to Come Out By

In celebration of all things gay this month, weve put together a mix of lesbian folk rock and club hits from the last few decades. Lest you shy away, remember, even John Travolta could shake it on the disco dance oor.

Name
I Spent My Last $10 Extraordinary Thing Over The Rainbow Queen B*tch Im Coming Out Pull Up to the Bumper Go West Master and Servant Slow Grace Kelly

Artist
Two Nice Girls k.d. lang Judy Garland David Bowie Diana Ross Grace Jones Pet Shop Boys Depeche Mode Kylie Minogue Mika

Album
2 Nice Girls Invincible Summer 25th Anniversary Retrospective Hunky Dory Diana (Deluxe Edition) Nightclubbing PopArt - The Hits Catching Up With Depeche Mode Body Language Life in Cartoon Motion
volume

So, to avoid being arrested, Wayne and Harry pose as the gay couple and put on a show for all the little girls in the town. Plus, while they are fooling the townspeople, they concoct a scheme to rob the local bank. The complications for the movie seem to escalate when the towns sheriff, Chappy Dent, who is gay, grows an attraction for Harry. Chappy, played by the ever brilliant and seasoned actor, William H. Macy; was such an honest and sweet character that you almost forget that he is fictional and you become invested in his pain. The chemistry that develops between Northam and Zahn seems to be just as true as any real relationship. They

are just instantly likable and funny as a pair, like a tribute to Abbott and Costello. Happy, Texas has so much heart and sincerity that it becomes an instant winner for a comedy that seems to have more than just big laughs.

JUNE 2010

GAMES & TECH

video games as non important, though these same people probably generally also see the inclusion of strong female roles as equally unimportant. Overall feedback would indicate the gay community feels sidelined in this arena. Having gay and lesbian characters are a non issue for me. Explains Rochanda Mitchell-Iverson, avid gamer, about her feelings on gay and lesbian characters in video games. As a lesbian, I am used to persecution and being misrepresented. As long as the game is fun, I really dont care. People who come into the Massive Multiplayer Online, MMO, world most often come to escape the troubles of the real world. Freedom to do what you want in the game, and to be what or who you want, is one of the biggest draws for an MMO! Straight MMO Game enthusiast, Sherry Absolom explains. Homosexuality in video games is a topic [that]I think is long overdue. In terms of gameplay, it brings the user into the game a lot more, because its a lot more realistic. Benjamin Black, a straight gamer states, In terms of sociology, homosexuality is what I consider the elephant in the room. Its a good way to get society, especially youth, to confront this topic. Unfortunately, not all gamers agree. As seen in the controversial November 2007 YouTube video, Halo3: Homophobia Evolved (NSFW), online gamers were viciously attacking openly gay player XXX GayBoy XXX on Xbox Live. The industry may be making great strides in equality and true representation, but it seems like this struggle is far from over. Developers and distributors appear to be erring more toward the side of caution as to avoid such harsh and disturbing controversy, maintaining the status quo in gaming. The old adage, if it aint broke, dont fix it comes to mind. That mentality, however, will only continue to alienate the gay community and will do little in helping the industry to grow and mature as a medium.

Video Games Characters Come Out of the Closet

By Andrea Emmes, GAD Equality in video games has been a long time coming, not only in closing the gender gap but also sexual orientation. As seen with over sexualized female characters like Bayonetta or Lara Croft, gay and lesbian characters also fight against many stigmas and false representation of the gay community. Games are now more story-driven than ever and it would seem that the best way to grab their gamers emotionally would be to bring in more than just normal relationship issues. Love and sex are fundamental parts of humanity and are fundamental parts of empathy, expressed Josh Atkins, Senior Design Director of Fable III in an interview with Asylum.com. To advance we need our audience to start becoming more emotionally involved with our characters. Straight or gay, sex sells, but is the gaming industry breaking new ground or just blurring the lines? In BioWares Mass Effect, protagonist Commander Shepherd can be played as either a male or female indulging in a steamy love scene with an alien temptress. Though allowing a female character to choose between having a male or female lover may seem revolutionary, unfortunately the same latitudes arent available when playing as a man. Angela Simpson, creator of Lesbiangamers.com says, I cant speak for [everyone], but feedback [on our website] tends to suggest there is an overall feeling of betrayal regarding the BioWare issue. Many people see the addition of gay characterization in

Illustration by Justin Fitzwater/ Canvas Staff

Just Cause Gives You Reason For Destruction

Pros: Beautiful scenery, fun gameplay. Cons: Weapon upgrades and black market dealer. Rating: B By Max Beard, DP Avalanche Studios and Eidos Interactive bring you the sequel to the over the top, stunt action game titled Just Cause 2. As CIA operative, Scorpio, your goal is

to overthrow organized gangs on the Malaysian island of Panau. The plot thickens when Scorpio discovers theres more to this island than previously thought. Due to its overabundance of oil; Russia, China and Japan are all taking a special interest in Panau. Its safe to say that you wont be playing this game for its story. Youll be playing to jump out of burning planes, parachute out of high-revving sports cars, hijacking bad-a** government vehicles, etc and, oh yes, it will be fun. The fictional island of Panau is a massive sight to behold. The scenery is so beautiful that at times youll want to take a break from blowing stuff up in order to admire the sunset. Not everything is beautiful,

though, for instance, the weapon upgrades seem trivial, the missions feel like a chore and some character voices become annoying. Oh and theres this little problem with the black market dealer that if you want to purchase anything from him you can only buy one thing at a time and every time you access him, you have to endure the same cutscene again and again. Those are only minor problems to what is a wonderful game. I have a blast playing this game.

Screen capture of Just Cause 2 game play.

Style With a Statement

By Kelsey Campbell, GD Today the only places in the United States gays and lesbians can legally get married are in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Conneticut, Iowa, and Vermont. This is hopefully all about to change with the help of the Marriage Is So Gay campaign, run by Reggie Solomon. In November 2008, gay marriage was made legal in California for only five months but the passing of the controversial Proposition 8 once again took the rights of gay couples to marry, causing a major stir in the LGBTQ community. [The Marriage Is So Gay] T-shirt, which is popular in the LGBTQ community and worn by a multitude of straight supporters, raises the issue of marriage equality, says Solomon. This T-shirt helps generate conversation [prompting] discussion and hopefully ultimately change. Equality is a family value which we hope resonates with a lot of people. Celebrities like Amy Poehler from Parks and Recreations and Mike Manning from The Real World: DC have supported the shirt and generated a lot of buzz. There is a Human Rights Campaign version which they sell online and at retail stores in DC, San Francisco and Provincetown, Mass. ISSO, which is taken from the is so in the Marriage Is So Gay tagline of the company, launched its first signature T-shirt featuring the Marriage Is So Gay tagline on a black American Apparel T-shirt. ISSO chose to go with the American Apparel brand because they found their T-shirts to be made from exceptionally smooth cotton, come in a wide array of colors and provide a great fit. They are also one of the few manufactures to produce a line of extra-small mens sizes that have proved to of our profits to organizations selected from our pull down window during the point of purchase. Customers can select from the following three organizations: Human Rights Campaign, Marriage Equality USA

LIFE & STYLE

JUNE 2010

Photos by Baokha The Marriage Is nh Hoang/Canvas Staff So Gay T-shirts w ork to help raise America. The cam awareness about paign joined forc gay marriage in es with American and a select porti Apparel to distrib on of the proceeds ute the T-shirts go to organizatio all over the world ns designed to pr . From left to right omote equality : Adriana Fernan dez, Kiara Holt an d Ryan Stuhl.

be extremely popular in this campaign. ISSO donates a portion of the proceeds of each [Marriage Is So Gay] T-shirt it sells to organizations that promote marriage equality. We give away 20 percent

and Freedom to Marry. Beginning with T-shirt number 1, each T-shirt features a handwritten number on its inside tag to let owners know how many people are wearing the shirt in support of marriage equality. ISSO

plans to host a party for friends of marriage equality when it hand-writes the tag in its 100,000th T-shirt sold. Wed like to host a party on both the east coast and west coast. Well host the party in the two cities where weve sold the highest

numbers of T-shirts so we can invite people to wear their T-shirts and help bring media attention to the need for marriage equality. T-shirts can be ordered from the ISSO website at: www. marriageissogay.com

Converse Shoes Help Fight AIDS in Africa

By Kelsey Campbell, GD

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Ever owned a pair of Chucks? Chuck Taylor All-Star Converse shoes have been popular since the 1930s and are just as stylish today. In 2006 Converse Inc. partnered with (PRODUCT) RED in hopes of finding new ways to combine art, music and their particular style in the fight against AIDS in Africa. In 2008, the partnership lead to the global project entitled Converse 1HUND(RED). One hundred musicians, graphic and graffiti artists from around the world collaborated with Converse to create one of-akind sneaker designs inspired by (PRODUCT) RED efforts. To further their cause, Converse has launched the African Canvas Shoe Collection, as well as the Make Mine Red feature on their website where customers are able to design their own shoes using colors and patterns. Five to fifteen percent of the Make Mine Red sales go directly to the Global Fund for HIV and AIDS in Africa. For more information, or to help join the cause, visit Converse.com.

MAY 2010

LIFE & STYLE

Meet the Designers

By Tiffany Kantor and Casey Sunich, FD

Jiayi Cao
Inspiration: Rococo Period and the Dark Ages. Lace and the color black. Favorite Designer: Vera Wang. Her designs are very elegant, simple but unique. Favorite Piece: Pleated empire with one strap on the left. Its very sexy, not too exposed, it shows the right spot. Dream Job: Become a successful fashion designer or a fashion illustrator.

Connie Coleman
Inspiration: This collection was inspired by the colors, textures, and blossoms associated with the Orient. As a child, my parents always had a fascination for the Orient. Favorite Designer: My favorite designer is Ralph Lauren because he represents a welldened lifestyle, not just random, ever-changing style. Favorite Piece: My favorite piece in my collection is the full, red and black oral jacquard skirt with the silk top adorned with 3-D black roses. I love the impact of the colored jacquard, the fullness of the skirt with the whimsical back bow, and the roses on the top that reect the small owers in the skirts jacquard print. Dream Job: To work in the marketing or communications realm. While I have a strong sense of design, color, and fabric, I want to incorporate this knowledge in marketing or communications applications.

Cathy Dam
Inspiration: I love to see pretty people when they go out to parties and I wanted to design long gowns as my collection. Favorite Designer: Alexander McQueen, because I love his designs and they inspire my ideas to be stronger. Favorite Piece: The piece with the cuff on the left hand because it turned out fabulous and Im very happy with it. Dream Job: To become a good designer and pattern maker.

As preparations for the Art Institute of California - Hollywood annual fashion show continue on their way, LA Canvas met with the featured designers for this years show The Red Carpet: Deconstructed. The designers shared with us their inspirations, future aspirations and a glimpse of each collection featured in this years show. The fashion show kicks off Saturday, June 12. For more information visit airedcarpet.com.

April Davidson
Inspiration: The inspiration for my line is broken and cracked glass, sort of a shattered look. I was inspired by the many angles and shards the glass makes when it is broken and how random the lines are. Favorite Designer: There are many designers that I admire such as Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Tom Ford, Vivienne Westwood, and Colleen Atwood who does the costumes for almost all of Tim Burtons lms. Favorite Piece: My favorite garment in the collection is a pair of riding pants, which have a sort of military equestrian look to them. Dream Job: I would love to work on costumes and movies like Tim Burtons lms.

Fernanda Martin Del Campo

Inspiration: I took ideas from the 1900s and ran with it, I wanted a vintage feel but still keeping it relevant to the present and future. Favorite Designer: Rodarte, the designs have wearable pieces with an individual air. Favorite Piece: My feathered jacket. Dream Job: A buyer, because I love to travel!

Okezikam Ebigbo
Name of collection: Apocalyptic Sole Inspiration: It started when I began wearing expensive leather shoes, I wanted to make comfortable wearable clothes by deconstructing them. Favorite Designer: Mason Martin Margiela, because hes the king of Avant Garde, he molds anything that inspires him into a wearable outt. Favorite Piece: My nale piece because I put the most thought into it. Dream Job: Having my own couture line.

Stacy Goodwin
Inspiration: Sex sells and If youve got it, aunt it. Lingerie and costumes arent always made for special occasions. Favorite Designer: Elie Saab Favorite Piece: My nale dress. If Mother Earth needed a dress, this is what she would wear. Its my wow piece. Made for a goddess. Dream Job: Designing for the annual Victorias Secret Fashion Show!

Jannette Goss
Inspiration: Modern vintage. Antique buttons, chains and vintage silhouettes and style lines. Favorite Designer: Chanel, very sophisticated and edgy. Favorite Piece: The chain dress. It has all the design elements on the dress that best represent my inspiration. I love the way the chains are draped; it gives great movement on the runway. Dream Job: Having my own line.

Falavia Via Otis

Name of Collection: Falaviaz Perception Military (FPM) Inspiration: This time around I wanted to focus on powerful women. I wanted to make garments that made feel powerful and independent. I was inspired by my military family. My mother was in the army, my father was in the navy, and my brother was in the air force. Favorite Piece: I feel each garment is like a small chapter in the story of Falaviaz Perception. Together they tell the world what I want them to say. Individually they are incomplete stories. Dream Job: To be a head designer that works at a company that I love.

Masai Pagan
Name of Collection: A New Look Inspiration: Transgendered women that want to change themselves for the better. Favorite Designer: John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz & Zac Posen because they love to make women feel amazing. Favorite Piece: My nale piece because its a representation of people and how we are not dened by one thing, we are many things. Dream Job: Creative Director in Paris.

Chelsea Sellers
Favorite Designer: One of my absolute favorites is Oscar de la Renta because it seems like everything he touches turns into a stunningly beautiful work of art. Favorite Piece: If I had to choose a favorite garment simply based on sentiment it would denitely be the asymmetrical dress with the coat tails. That particular dress is one that I designed during one of my rst quarters here at school. Dream Job: I would have to say that my ultimate dream job in the fashion world would be to one day own a little boutique of my own from which I can design, make and sell custom dresses.

Juan Sim
Name of Collection: Florence Inspiration: Florence, Italy and [my late night cravings for] Apple Jacks. Favorite Designer: Stella McCartney is love! Need I say more? Favorite Piece: I name each garment I make and my favorite one from this collection is called Tenley (named after Tenley from the most recent season of The Bachelor). Tenley served as my muse when doing one of my dresses. Dream Job: Its always been my personal crusade to help and reach out to the less fortunate. I want to get out there, make a name for myself, and once I reach that point in my career I want to be able to give back.

Shirley Wong
Name of Collection: Love Spell Inspiration: Buttery. Fairy tale. Favorite Designer: Elie Saab. His designs are very feminine. Favorite Piece: My favorite piece is the garment with asymmetric collar, because thats my rst nished piece in the collection. Dream Job: Become a fashion designer and have my own brand.