O’More College of Design Fashion Show 2016

O'More College of Design

by David Rosen,President of O’More College of Design 

Nashville has the fourth largest and fastest growing fashion industry in the country. O’More College of Design’s nationally ranked fashion design and merchandizing programs is number one in Tennessee. So it made sense to marry the programs with the industry.

That wedding—better known as O’More Fashion Show 2016–will take place on May 12. On Thursday, February 4, O’More held a “Reveal” at its Abbey Leix Mansion.

Close to 60 members of the industry turned out to get a sneak peek at what the event will have in store for those who come. The guests included the CEO of the Nashville Fashion Alliance, a former principal at GAP and its former COO, notable Nashville designers like Manny Cuevas and Debe Dohrer.

15 selected student designers provided a glimpse of their collections. This is some of what the industry saw:

Japanese-inspired draping with an apocalyptic edge

Shibori dyeing techniques incorporated into plus-size women’s wear

Mod-inspired children’s knitwear to woodland and southwestern children’s wear

Colorful androgynous fashions for men and women

Quirky pattern mixing of menswear fabrics in feminine silhouettes

Edgy women’s wear with hand-dyed textiles and custom printed fabrics using original photography

Rave wear

Celtic inspired artisanal sportswear separates

Minimalist fashion with an architectural influence

They also heard Jamie Atlas, Chair of O’More’s fashion programs, speak about her objectives as an educator “to set our students up for success and see them lead in the industry beyond graduation.”

They heard from Chelsea Weems, a graduating major who has already started her own line of children’s wear called “forefonder.” Chelsea told of completing her second undergraduate degree because of her “passion and vision” and her love of being part of “a creative community that is doing incredible work and building a world of design “

Graduating senior Stephanie Caporella also spoke about her passion for learning and for design, quoting Wayne Gretzky: “If you love something in your life, whether it is business, or being a doctor or being an athlete, if you have a passion for it, my goodness, the hours are endless that you put in.”

They crowd also gathered for the unveiling of the event’s venue by the fashion show committee of O’More alums, co-chairs, Bobbi Hemmen (Assistant Manager and Wardrobe Stylist @ Gus Mayer) and Elizabeth Onks (Junior Apparel Technical Designer @ Tractor Supply Co.) and members Brittany Bennett (Technical Designer @ VF Imagewear), Adelynn Chapman (Owner & President @ Helistar Aviation), Hannah Jones (Co-owner/Designer @ Jamie and the Jones), Taylor Pellegrino (Stylist @ Dress Theory), and Janice Williams (Professor @ Tennessee State University and independent designer).

O’More is taking design to Nashville. Hangar 2 at John C. Tune Airport, secured through the work of the show’s committee and the support of the MNAA Board of Commissioners-Nashville International Airport and JWN; the Corporate Flight Management (CFM); the Airport Authority at JWN, and Helistar Aviation.

The evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and quiet conversation was suffused with enthusiasm, warmth and appreciation. Little O’More is stepping up in style and impact. Ms. Eloise Pitts O’More would be proud, because the collections and the evening lived up to her imperative of a life that is well designed, well made, and beautiful.

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