On Saturday, June 12, eighteen talented young designers were given a chance to strut their stuff at Rock the Runway at Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City.
Emcee Nena Ivon hosted the event for a crowd of over 100 guests, who enjoyed a complimentary champagne bar and grooved to the music of Button. Top prize, which included a behind-the-scenes tour at world-renowned design school FIT in New York, went to Fraley Le from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Chicago. Le's cascading gowns featured a bright green palette, brushstroke-like construction, and wearability and craftsmanship that wowed the judges.
First runner-up was Kelsy Nixon of Columbia College Chicago, who has interned with Michael Kors. Second runner-up was Seth Meyerink-Griffin, whose soft, feminine silhouettes were a departure from his usual preference for sturdy, daily-wear clothing. Meyerink-Griffin attends the School of the Art Institute in Chicago.
Though this runway event featured models courtesy of Ford Chicago Models and Factor Models, there was some local talent in evidence as well. Lindsey Applegate, Monique Gillard, Clare Kaminsky, John Machesky, Alexandria Para, Maddison Quinn, Maddy Rock, Stephanie Ryan, Loria Sullivan, Kayla Ward, and Kelsey Warren are all local residents who responded to a call for models at Lubeznik Center earlier in the month. Chicago stylists Robert-Eric West and Sandra Leander were on hand to create hair and makeup looks for the models.
Photos: Lubeznik Center staff member Shari Pettis poses in a gown by Julie Laffin from the Center's permanent collection; womenswear design shown by Lizz Bassinger of Columbia College; event judge Linda Heister, Emcee Nena Ivon, winning designer Fraley Le and model Yelena, event judges Joe Durk and ANKO; fashion by Deanna Ansara of Western Michigan University
The Lubeznik Center is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Galleries are closed on Mondays. For more information please visit www.lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900. All times are based on Chicago time.
Provided with support from South Shore Arts, the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.