PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY SPRING 2009 SPRING FASHION SHOW FANTasY CouTure ‘Fashion FANTasY’ by Nicole Puccino by Erin Stevens Recently, we have all witnessed the Storybook fairytales meet downfall of the economy and the hard- fanciful daydreams, a union of the ships that inevitably resulted. Everyday awe-inspiring and the whimsical. retailers were hit especially hard with the This spring, Fashion Industries financial flop, provoking company bank- Association (FIA) is taking the ruptcies and store closures nationwide. Philadelphia University Annual That, however, is not the case for Fashion Show into a more playful all businesses: haute couture brands direction with an uplifting, have remained surprisingly stable. magical theme that celebrates N i c o l a s T o p i o l , p r e s i d e n t o f C h r i s t i a n the student fashion designers’ Lacroix, noted that his company, creativity and talent. among many others, has had “Past shows have been very “nice carryover orders structured and linear. This into 2009.” year we wanted to do Couture labels something more are overcoming this lighthearted,” explains grueling financial FIA President Jessica challenge not by low- Murphy. As change and ering the prices of their hope are seemingly the beautiful, custom-made national “tagline” of 2009, merchandise, but by raising the blossoming season creates quality and customer-service the perfect backdrop for this standards. All couture labels are now colorful fashion event. providing more superior services, becom- With approximately 2,500 ing closer than ever to their clients and seats to fill, the Philadelphia catering to their every need. community awaits a dynamic These labels are hiring the most and fun fashion show, “the skilled designers, producers, embel- biggest event of its kind in lishers, and tailors to create perfect, Philadelphia,” notes Murphy. memorable products. Veronique From senior Krystie Kocsi’s Gaultier, president of Gaultier, be- familial inspirations of lieves that “couture is still a pillar,” and sisterhood to senior Jessica a “fantasy” for those who hope to see Steele’s revamped 40s and 50s the world in a different light. “New Americana” look, keep When wearing couture, one your expectations high and feels special and conveys success your eyes peeled this spring and importance. Despite economic for the remarkable designs by difficulties, luxury brands and their Philadelphia University students. consumers have fallen in love with the Designers — particularly those in “fantasy couture” phenomenon — a the senior collections class — have blend of amazing apparel and the invested countless hours in and rewarding, exciting out of the classroom preparing for experience of creating it. continued on page 4 Rachel Wendling ‘10 AluMni spoTlighT call “The Corporate Closet,” Kibler flimsy sweater by being able to tell the was able to view old and new factory how many ends to use, com- KATE LUBacZewski KIBler Tommy Hilfiger designs, as well as municating the details and informa- by Alyssa Imprevento her favorite design: a pair of pants tion to your production team,or pre- made especially for Mick Jagger. senting and ‘selling’ your work to the Remember A fashion design major, Kate management team is how a designer the scene in was thrilled by the exciting life await- spends 90 percent of his or her time.” the movie ing her in the fashion industry. She These skills, which Kibler aquired The Devil now lives in New York City and has at PhilaU, earned her a position Wears Prada been working for Tommy Hilfiger for at Tommy Hilfiger and continue when Anne the past five years. Before working as to help her succeed in the fashion Hathaway the vice president of men’s merchan- world. Since design and busi- walks into the dising, Kibler worked as the director ness clearly work so closely togeth- sample closet of design at Tommy Hilfiger. She also er, Kate recently received her MBA at Runway held positions at Nautica and Izod. from NYU’s Stern School of Business. magazine, According to Kibler, Philadelphia It is actions like this that sparked surrounded University prepared her well for a Tommy Hilfiger to state in Kate’s by racks of successful life in fashion design. “It initial interview with the company, beautiful designer clothing? That was really the only school that focused “I like people from Philadelphia is exactly what I pictured when on academics, creativity and tech- University. They are really smart.” Philadelphia University alumna Kate nical expertise,” Kibler said. “The Kibler, as an alumna with many Lubaczewski Kibler described her follow through and execution are years in the fashion industry, has re- first day at Tommy Hilfiger. Upon really important. Knowing how to fix cently become a member of the entry into what the Tommy insiders a garment in a fitting, correcting a Fashion Design Advisory Board. CAMpus Trends by Brittlyn Tara Gleeson Punk/Rock TriBal Hippie/Boho If you’re looking for a little edge in Trend forecasts predict tribal-inspired For the more free-spirited among us, your wardrobe, pick up some strong fashion will be huge this spring and summer. these trends remain strong on the pieces and join the many students at Not ones to fall behind, PhilaU students have PhilaU campus. Think about continuing PhilaU rocking this look. Metallics, already begun flaunting this fashionable look. this lighter side of fashion for the metallics, metallics! Try zipper accents, Go bold with oversize bags and statement spring. Eyelet tops! Linen sundresses! studs, and sequins. Or, animal prints necklaces. Natural elements like wood and Lots of accessories! Try fringe purses and plaids paired with darker colors, African-inspired prints, or classic pieces and plenty of florals and eye-catching black being traditional. Don’t forget like khakis paired with bold prints such as bright colors with faded tones. blazers, motorcycle jackets and other tie-dyed, will keep your tribal fashion Photo Credits: black studded clutch, plaid dress, tailored pieces with 80s flair. in style. leather bomber jacket, shirt, skirt and zebra clutch - urbanoutifitters.com, floral print dress - heritage1981. com, knot handle bag - monsoon.co.uk 2 CAMpus EvenTS Senior Jessica STeele awarded $25,000 Scholarship ‘Lace in TranslaTion’ & By Amy Culvert ‘Lace FUTures’ Things started to look up for one particular fashion design student By Arielle Salkowitz this past January — Philadelphia There’s a new topic buzzing University senior Jessica Steele was around campus this semester: lace! awarded an impressive $25,000 That’s right, lace — that frilly stuff Geoffrey Beene Scholarship at the we sometimes find on dress trims, annual YMA Geoffrey Beene Fashion tablecloths and curtains. Well, I’ve Scholarship Dinner in New York City. got some news for you. The Lace in The YMA Scholarship Fund is Translation exhibition at The Design committed to advancing the fashion Center in fall 2009 will change your industry by encouraging talented view of lace forever. young people to pursue careers in The exhibit, created by a team fields such as design, merchandising Tim Gunn, Jessica Steele, Russel T. Nardozza, senior vice presi- and retailing. The annual scholarship is dent & COO of Geoffrey Bene, LLC. of Canadian, Dutch and American Photo courtesy of Clara Henry artists, displays different ways to use named after the late American fashion and think of lace. The artists take in- designer Geoffrey Beene. This important industry event is attended by admired spiration from traditional lace pieces, designers and fashion industry representatives. After Steele was awarded a $5,000 such as clothing, and mimic the quali- YMA scholarship, Clara Henry, director of the Fashion Design Program, nominated ties they see in the material to create Steele for the $25,000 award competition. something completely original. After being chosen to compete, Steele and eight other applicants were assigned a case study to design a sustainable line. Steele created a menswear line named “Steele Plains,” to be sold at Macy’s. She presented a PowerPoint to panel judges two days before the scholarship dinner, where she received the exhilarating news. Steele has always been an accomplished fashion design student at the University. She has had two internships with Nanette Lapore, and also with Ted Baker London in NYC, and she studied abroad in London her junior year. As a sophomore, Steele had her children’s wear line in the Philadelphia University’s Annual Fashion Show. Overwhelmed, but also very excited for what the scholarship may do to influence her future in the fashion industry, Steele plans on paying off loans and saving the rest. She hopes to work for a small-label company in NYC and eventually intends to have her own line and possibly move to London later in her life. Design X other students. Models walked down by Gabrielle Smedes the runway wearing everything from cardboard boxes and tree branches to The Dutch design studio bubble wrap and playing cards. Demakersvan will be installing a The theme of the show was “Wear “lace” chain link fence around The your Waste.” “Our inspiration was Design Center. The metal loops of something very futuristic and mechani- the fencing will be reworked to cal,” explained Jessica Murphy, presi- create a beautiful, lace-like pattern. dent of FIA. “We thought of wires, Philadelphia University machines and old car parts as things that contributed works displaying lace people would consider waste.” early this semester at Lace Futures, Along with the designs fitting the theme, At the Fashion Industries Association the largest collaboration on campus the curtains behind the runway were (FIA) annual Design X fashion show, to date. Displayed in The Kanbar creatively made of black garbage bags. design students did not waste any time Campus Center, Lace Futures Everything from hair and make up to light- impressing packed Downs Auditorium featured student and faculty work ing and music was meant to be dark.