ELLE Fashion Next

ELLE magazine partnered with the distinguished Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) for its second annual FASHION | NEXT program and runway show. The exemplary design students chosen for the program were matched with mentors and given the incredible opportunity to present their designs in a runway show at the Koch Theatre in Lincoln Center during NYFW on September 9th, 2011. Maybelline New York sponsored the event, promoting both fashion and beauty as equally important forms of expression. ELLE will also feature the designs in their October and December issues.

Major industry names, including editors and buyers, filled the room as each student sent two models down the runway dressed in their fashions while the DJ spun haunting electro-pop, including songs from artists like Robyn and Lykke Li.

The designs varied greatly, exemplifying each student’s unique contribution. We saw beautiful asymmetrical skirts and collars, punchy red velvet ensembles, incredibly tailored leather coats and jackets, and delicate, floral inspired dresses. Student Lauren Mayhew grabbed the room’s
attention with skirts and gowns featuring long, blonde ombre hair.

The FASHION | NEXT initiative is a truly incredible opportunity for students to be recognized for their talent and also a great way to garner well deserved attention. At the end of the show the ELLE | SCAD Design Award and the Maybelline New York FASHION | NEXT Award were granted to Faith Thornburg and Lindsey Hopkins, respectively. Each winner received$25,000.

The impressive panel of judges included major contributors to the design, beauty, and modeling world alike, including Chris Benz, Jeffrey Costello, Whitney Port, Iman, Karolina Kurkova, Julianne Hough, Ken Downing, and Doreen Arbel. Also in attendance were British songstresses Ellie Goulding and Corinne Bailey Rae, as well as Brazilian model Camila Alves.

We loved Faith Thornburg’s (the only wedding dress designer in the group) winning white gown with petal appliqués and lace!

Images courtesy of fashionista.com

- Alyssa D'Alessandro