EVENTS AND AWARDS/PHOTO BOOTH

Fashion evocative of the Emerald City and environs was all the rage at the opening night gala for FIDM’s “The Wizard of Oz” exhibition.

The gala kicked off a short run (June 10 through today) for the “Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Exhibit” and “The Ruby Slipper Collection” of modern interpretations of Dorothy’s classic footwear.

Mounted in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of the iconic film version of L. Frank Baum’s novel, the exhibition is cosponsored by the FIDM Museum & Galleries at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Warners plans to release DVD and Blu-ray special anniversary editions of the classic film later this year.

FIDM students, mentored by accessories designer Tarina Tarantino and alumnus Nick Verreos (“Project Runway”), competed to create their own versions of the slippers as well as jewelry inspired by the story.

One look at the gala crowd and you know we really aren’t in Kansas anymore -- if we ever were!

The free exhibition is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the galleries, 919 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

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The Image staff