UCLA Students in a Class by Themselves
Forget that the black silk babushkas quickly became redundant. Overlook, for a moment, the poorly executed beehive hairdos, the “Barbarella” eyeliner and the withered music. The clothes were strong enough to withstand it all.
In an attempt to bring back the lavish fashion show of decades past, UCLA Extension’s fashion department almost sabotaged its own students’ work. But even the unfortunate details couldn’t sully the creative display.
Ignored Mass Market
In contrast to other student fashion shows, this university production showcased 21 novice designers, who threw mass-market appeal to the wind. In most cases, these designers opted for hand-finished seams, hand-painted fabrics, hand-knit sweaters and other one-of-a-kind details. Many of the featured clothes would demand production in a couture salon, a rarity in today’s domestic apparel industry.
Combining companion prints of silk chiffon and silk brocade, Fransesca Drommi created a slim-skirt theater suit with a tight-fitting jacket, flounced a few inches below the derriere by a long peplum. After one brief turn on the runway, however, the designer, who modeled her own garment, slipped out of the long skirt, and the peplum was instantly transformed into a miniskirt.
Inspired by the European trend to pouffed, thigh-grazing evening ensembles, designer Charles Almond combined tussah silk and stamped velvet for his single entry in the show. The bouffant cocktail dress was one of the strongest pieces in the collection, leaving members of the audience whispering about its wearability and artful fabric combination. Another notable short evening look was Chris Chang’s black velvet skirt with silver Lurex top.
For day, Sandy Bleiffer offered “Rorschach Soiree,” a hand-painted, white wool topper draped over a black skirt. Clare Joseph, inspired by artist Sonia Delaunay, a color Cubist, paired a man and woman in silk overcoats, both garments hand painted with gigantic watercolor plaids.
Art of Draping
Fashion designer and makeup artist Michael Butler, who oversees the fashion design classes in the UCLA program, notes that students are taught the art of draping a garment on a mannequin. “It’s a lost art in America. Once a designer can master draping, he or she is ready for almost any design challenge,” Butler says.
The 12-course UCLA Extension program leads to a Sequential Award in Fashion Design and can be completed in one year of study.
