03-23-09

Iowa State students model designs on the runway during The Fashion Show 2008. photo by The Fashion Show

Spring fashions, local Marc Jacobs designer featured in April 25 ISU Fashion Show

AMES, Iowa -- Forget New York, Paris, and London. This spring's freshest fashion looks will be showcased in the student-produced Iowa State University textiles and clothing fashion show, to be held on Saturday, April 25, in Stephens Auditorium.

In addition to more than 100 garments created by ISU students, the 27th annual show will feature work by Mansoor Amjed -- a Des Moines native and West Des Moines Valley High School graduate, who is a designer for women's wovens at Marc by Marc Jacobs.

The event will have a showcase exhibit of student portfolios and mounted pieces at 6 p.m., with the runway show scheduled for 7 p.m. This year's student fashion will feature both men's and women's designs in casual wear, formal attire, experimental design, and two-dimensional merchandising products.

A 2002 fashion design graduate from The Art Institute of Chicago, Mansoor will be showcasing a mix of Marc by Marc Jacobs' Spring and Fall 2009 collection, which was featured at New York Fashion Week. The collection will include looks for both men and women.

Since 1982, Iowa State students have been displaying their design, sewing, and creative skills through the annual fashion show. From the sound and lighting to the models on the catwalk, the show is entirely student-produced. It's now the largest show in Iowa and one of the largest student-produced fashion shows in the country. This is the fifth year that the show will be held at Stephens Auditorium, which had a sell out crowd of 2,500 for last year's show.

Any ISU student, regardless of major, can participate in The Fashion Show. Directors and committee members are chosen from more than 100 applicants. Iowa State students also audition to become models in the show.

While creating an event that's comparable to fashion industry runway shows, student designers will be judged by a panel of accredited industry professionals. This year's judges are Brenda Mikel, Atelier director for Narciso Rodriguez; Kathy Fell, director of product development for Burlen Corp.; Ann Ramsey, educator at University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and Paula Correri, editor at The Tobe Report. Judging will take place on Saturday, April 4.

Hannah Osterman's "Palindrome" designs were judged "Best in Show" last year. photo by The Fashion Show

"The directors and committee members of the Fashion Show 2009 are aiming to make this year's show the best ever," said Aerielle Smith, Fashion Show co-producer. "It will truly be a chance for Iowa to really experience industry-level fashion. Not only is it going to be a runway show, but a performance and a unique and amazing experience for the audience."

Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for adults -- with a 10 percent discount for groups of six or more -- and available online through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com"), or in person through the ticket office at Stephens Auditorium's north entrance. The office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additional information on the fashion show is available online at: (http://www.aeshm.hs.iastate.edu/fashionshow/shows/2009.php.

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