FIDM Debut Judging Night with Nick Verreos

Speed Judging... FIDM Debut 2009 Style!Judges Ready? NIKOLAKI designer, David Paul, Swarovski West Coast Showroom Manager, the stylish Lisa Beckenholdt-Owers, Solstiss Executive Jane Burge (in her own design!), Nick Verreos and jewelry designer Tori Hartman

Earlier in the week, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM held their annual Debut 2009 Judging Night at their Downtown Los Angeles Campus. The annual Debut Judging night occurs a couple of weeks after the 11 students of the Advanced Fashion Design Program showed their collections at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar in the Debut 2009 Fashion Show to a 3000 plus crowd. The Judging Night is done in a form similar to "speed dating" in which a group of judges sit in while the student designer presents their collection to them in only 7 minutes. This is done until all the judges have "sat in" on every designer, which usually takes over an hour. As one of the Debut 2009 Instructors/Mentors, I just made sure that every things ran (somewhat) smoothly and that the kids were prepared and that their collections, portfolios and resumes were on the mark.
Street Style: Fashion Illustrator extraordinaire Angelo Estrada (giving you Run DMC!), Nick Verreos (sporting Philip Lim and Marc Jacobs Collection) and designer Raymundo Baltazar (in sunglasses and stripes)

This year, approximately 30 industry professionals showed up at the the fabulous FIDM Museum and Gallery which currently houses the 17Th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design ( featuring costumes from 2008's best films, including the Academy Award winning "Elizabeth: The Golden Age") for this year's Debut 2009 Judging Night. Some of the judges included Hollywood red carpet and QVC designer and author Bradley Bayou, FIDM graduate Patricia Nevil of L'ezu Atelier of Beverly Hills, celebrity stylist Niki Shadrow and Jewelry Designer Tori Hartman.

Also in attendance were Fashion Illustrator and designer (and current Hip-Hop Diva) Angelo Estrada, Swarovski West Coast executive, Lisa Beckenholdt-Owers, Solstiss (Couture Fabrics from France) Executive Jane Burge, and even my Project Runway Season 2 buddy, designer Raymundo Baltazar. They sampled delicious hors d'oeuvres of dumplings, pizza and spinach dip as they waited to judge. A well-fed judge makes for better judging.
Most Creative: Charles Ryan Sands stands by his winning collection

After the judging had been completed, prizes were handed out in three categories: Most Creative Collection went to Charles Ryan Sands for his gas mask-printed (you read right!) pants, hooded cowl-draped hooded men's and women's jerseys and intricately tailored leathers and suitings. Most Cohesive: Lacey Osberg strikes a pose by her collection

The Most Cohesive Collection prize-- in terms of use of styling, color and fabrics--went to Lacey Osberg, designer of Lacey Elizabeth, for her elegantly tailored and feminine pieces ideal for the Upper East Side socialite who likes to have a little bit of romantic fun with her wardrobe. Most Marketable: Liz Sandhefner poses with one of her over sized collar printed denim coats

Finally, the Most Marketable honor went to Liz Sandhoefner, who designed a very sellable printed-and-solid denim collection of jumpsuits, jumpers, separates and fitted dresses, perfect for the less expensive Junior Market. Congratulations to all the Debut 2009 Designers and of course, especially to the three winners. Now, go out there and get a job...and make "Instructor Nick" proud!