Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Students Learn How To Produce A Fashion Show


Before a model takes the runway in a fashion show, much work is done behind the scenes. One of the last steps is making sure the model’s hair is beautiful, which an Art Institute of California – Inland Empire student does in a previous fashion show. Models take to the runway again when The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire fashion programs host Mood Indigo at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, June 6 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) In every fashion show, the public sees beautiful models marching down a runway in trendy new clothes. But the models are simply the “finale.” Executing a successful fashion show takes months of planning and the work of a team of people behind the scene.

For Mood Indigo, a fashion show coming to the Inland Empire on Saturday, June 6 the driving force is Q.Zi Media, a professional fashion show production company owned by Quyenzi Pham.

Q.Zi Media is relying on the help of its beneficiary, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. That’s because while Mood Indigo is as much about beautiful fashions as any other show, it also serves as a training ground for men and women who are learning more about the fashion industry through bachelor’s degree programs offered by The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

The two programs are Fashion & Retail Marketing, which began in March 2008 and Fashion Design, which began two months later. Since most students still have less than one years’ experience in the three-year programs, most of them are taking on more of an observer role in this fashion show.

“We have about 70 students in the two programs,” said Sherry West, academic director for fashion at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. “They’re watching how a professional fashion show is put together, so they can learn from the experience.”

Some Fashion Design students will have the ultimate experience of seeing their work modeled on the runway at Mood Indigo. Another group will have their work on display in a fashion gallery before and during the show. And yet another group of students, these in the Fashion & Retail Marketing program, are creating the display gallery.

Since Mood Indigo also serves to build public awareness of the two fashion programs, still other students serve as a “Hospitality Committee.” They will greet and help seat all guests, and give potential students a gift bag that includes more information about The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

VIP guests, such as elected officials, members of the media and fashion industry professionals, will also receive special hospitality. Besides receiving gift bags, the students will escort the guests to a special “hospitality suite” where they can enjoy refreshments and meet with members of the Q.Zi Media team, as well as faculty and staff from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

As the students progress in their education, it is likely they will have even greater involvement in future fashion shows.

“We're inviting all of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Fashion students to attend to experience the event this year,” she said. “They will have the opportunity to participate further in the next one.”

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management.

Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin July 13 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information, or to arrange a tour, call
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire <http://www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire> .

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu <
http://www.artinstitutes.edu> /), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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