Oscar de la Renta Attends Marymount Fashion Show

By Ann Augherton
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/1/03)

Flashing lights broke through the dark, fog-filled room as loud, rhythmic music set the stage, literally, for a fashion show that drew the likes of Oscar de la Renta (pictured at right) to Marymount University’s Arlington campus last week.

"Portfolio in Motion: Evolution of a Dream," a juried selection of student designs, was the culmination of the year for the university’s fashion design and fashion merchandising students.

A crowd of 650 filled the Lee Center for a luncheon and fashion show with de la Renta, the legendary designer there to receive the university’s Designer of the Year award.

De la Renta stopped backstage prior to the show to chat informally with the students. He reminded them that a fashion show is a forum to "show our designs," but the "reality is the consumer.

"You have to create clothes that make a woman fall in love with them," he said. "Only when a woman wears a dress, it becomes fashion.

"To be a successful designer, know who your consumers are," he said.

Joining de la Renta for the show were Rose Marie Bravo, chief executive of Burberry and a former university board trustee, Marymount President James Bundschuh and former President Sister Majella Berg. FOX 5 weekend Anchor Laura Evans served as mistress of ceremonies for the benefit luncheon and show, which will help fund the design programs.

The fashion show was completely student-produced, from the set, to the choreography, to the fashions and the narration. Janice McCoart, chair of the Fine and Applied Arts Department, worked with

Lisa Stephenson, a graduating senior from Great Falls, who was executive head coordinator, and David Melton, head artistic production coordinator. The model selection, although from among the student body, was competitive.

The show, complete with some outlandish designs, was a fast-paced succession of color, texture and special effects. The seven scenes ranged from Nightmare, to Evening and Fantasy, but the requisite bridal gowns proved to be the crowd pleaser.

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