For Fashion Students On Deadline, Life Is One Clothes Call After Another

University of Cincinnati fashion design students spend their student years in the classroom and in the professional studio – going out to work for designers in Europe, Los Angeles, New York and all points in between via the school’s vaunted cooperative education program. 

Now, they’re bringing a bit of New York back to Cincinnati in the form of UC’s end-of-year fashion show, to be held under a white, big-top tent – ala New York’s fashion week – at UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 11.  Close to 1,000 patrons are expected to attend.

Showing their “wears” will be:

Senior

Michelle Numbers

, 24, of Beach City, Ohio, who will exhibit what she calls “childrenswear for adults.”  Michelle mixes and matches what she terms “whimsical layers” among three girls and one guy model.  All of the models wear layers that start with a long turtleneck with sleeves that come down to cover the hands.  The turtlenecks extend to mid-hip.  A T-shirt then tops each turtleneck (the male model’s T-shirt will have a hand-painted tie).  Short jackets extending to the midriff and each with 3/4-length sleeves – two of denim and two of velveteen – complete the layering of Numbers’ ensembles.  (One of the jackets is actually a pinstripe, but each “white” pinstripe has been sewn in as a different primary color.)  Each female models sports a short skirt, while the male model wears short pants.

Numbers has co-opped at:

• Kandy Kiss of California, Inc., a Los Angeles childrenswear designer

• Liz Claiborne in New York City

• Aeropostale, Inc., New York juniors’ casual apparel and accessories maker

Said Numbers, “I’ve tried L.A. and New York, and I like New York better.  I’d like to design childrenswear since I love kids’ stuff.  It makes me happy to work with and design.”

Senior

Nicole Sullivan

, 22, of Hillsboro, explores themes related to plant shapes and floral colors in her dramatic collection of short and long gowns highlighted by one equally elegant three-piece suit for a man.  Her garments, which also contrast man with nature, include:

• A short-skirted red, silk chamuese dress with a v-neck top is topped by a blue, velveteen jacket with red trim.  The jacket sports red-silk buttons and closures of red, silk ties.

• A short, hour-glass shaped, sleeveless, strapless dress of yellow silk chamuese and yellow silk organza

• A man’s three-piece suit consisting of a dark blue, velveteen jacket; dark blue, satin sailor pants with a white, sheer cotton shirt 

Sullivan has co-opped in New York City at Liz Claiborne, American Eagle Outfitters and at Garan, Incorporated (a childrenswear company) as well as at The Couture Clothing Co. in Los Angeles.

Senior

Josh Osborn

, 23, of Harveysburg, Ohio, says he explores the “power of a woman” in a series of silk garments of gold, mint green and white: Bias-cut dresses topped by sophisticated trench coats. 

Osborn’s most recent co-op in early 2004 was with noted designer Isaac Mizrahi, contributing to Mizrahi’s design for Target Corporation.  Said Osborn of that co-op, “Just to work with a Seventh Avenue designer, close to the apex of fashion, has been fantastic.  I hope to work with Isaac after graduation, but either way, I’m moving to New York on Aug. 1 to pursue a career there.”

Junior

Joanna Seiter

, 22, of Xenia, created two garments for the June 11 fashion show.  The first is a knit evening dress with a halter top and a low-cut back.  A long ruffled skirt, with a blue edging, has a hint of a train.  The second ensemble consists of a man’s cream-colored, long-sleeved sweater along with cream-colored knit pants of lined wool.  Of her participation in the show, Seiter said, “The most challenging part is learning how to knit.  I didn’t know how before.  The best part is being able to turn my ideas into an actual garment.” 

Seiter has co-opped at:
• Dolly, Inc., in Tipp City, Ohio, where she designed diaper bags and layette sets
• Hot Kiss, Inc. Corporation in Los Angeles, where she created embroidery designs for jeans
• Liz Claiborne in New York, where working as part of a concept team, she performed trend research

Junior

Mary Wolf

, 22, also of Xenia, is fashioning one ensemble for the end-of-year show.  She is creating a short, two-layered, loose-fitting dress.  The dress has a halter top and a low back.  The top layer of the dress is a knit while the underlayer is of chiffon.  The chiffon is off-white with navy blue polka-dot accents while the knit is yellow.

Said Wolf, “The most challenging part of the dress is the fittings, getting it to fit.  The best is the silhouette, which I’m quite happy with.”

Wolf’s co-ops include:
• Fossil in Dallas on two occasions, where she worked designing men’s leather accessories, such as belts and wallets
• Liz Claiborne in New York, as a member of the concept team there

UC’s 53rd Annual Fashion Show is set for 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 11, and will be held under a large, white, big-top tent on the grounds of UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, located at the corner of Clifton Ave. and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.  Parking is available in Brodie Garage (also called College Court Garage), located on the east side of DAAP. 

Lead sponsor for this year’s show is The Procter & Gamble Company.  Additional sponsor is The Hennegan Company, along with the Bernstein family of Bensons Catering & Event Design; Fredric’s Corporation; and Jean-Robert at Pigall’s/JeanRo.

Tickets for the event are available at several levels:
• $150 Benefactor and $100 Patron-level tickets include a 6 p.m. pre-show cocktail reception, premiere seating and valet parking
• $50 Preferred seating
• $35 General seating

For tickets, call 513-981-DAAP (3227).