Denim Like You've Never Seen Before

Mood Indigo takes place Saturday, June 6 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center in Rancho Cucamonga. There is no admission charge.

Seven student designers from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will have their work included in the show.

“The fact that the fashion programs are barely one year old has not stopped the eager students from wanting to showcase their talent,” said Emam El-Hout, president of The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. “It has been an amazing journey for students and faculty alike.”

The students’ designs are made of denim, and show that it’s way more versatile than for making blue jeans.

“Denim is the focus of this fashion show,” said Sherry West, academic director for fashion at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. “I wanted something that would be easy for our first-year students to work with, yet would be fun. Everyone loves denim!”

Seven students’ work will be worn by the professional models in the fashion show. These fashion designs are:

• Denim goes 3-D with “Bubble Couture” by Isidore “Baltazar, a sculpted dress with “red-hot” accents.

• Adriana Diaz has created “Vueltas de Amor,” which translates to “Twisted Love.” This dress features a colorful cascade of denim ruffles.

• Jennifer Hernandez has created “Ode to Holland.” Hand-painted angel wings adorn the back of this hooded denim jumper, a tribute to her best friend, Holland.

• Denim takes a militant look with Erica Jennings’ “Militant Tux,” a military-inspired creation.

• Rock on with Michele Sotelo’s “Superstar!” This black and pink design is inspired by rock music and its own unique fashions.

• “Midnknight Samurai,” created by Joseph Yoshimura, gives a new twist on denim with a Japanese-inspired dress.

• Sara Vigil’s “Mademoiselle Coco” pays tribute to Coco Chanel, one of the most well-known professional designers. Full black denim trousers accompany a silky white crop top.

Other students have also created work that will be on display in a specially-designed gallery before and during the fashion show. These students are Heather Branham’s “Tinkerbell Galactica,” Dawn Harley’s “Go Go Green,” Christal McPhan’s “24 Karats,” Ashley Stanfield’s “Denim Elegrance,” LaTasha Wilson’s “Sunset” and Joseph Yoshimura’s “Wandering Nite.”

Students in The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s Fashion & Retail Marketing program will create a gallery for this display.

Corporate sponsor Miss Me Jeans will bring a cache of jeans, ranging from basic styles to its most highly embellished.

Corporate sponsor Bebe will bring its take on contemporary elegance, with some of the latest fashions in its lines, and corporate sponsor Soulful Commando will bring trendy fashions for men.

Students in both Fashion Design and Fashion & Retail Marketing are making behind the scenes preparations as well. Although this show relies mainly on the work of producer Quyenzi Pham and her staff. students are helping by creating gift bags for VIP guests and potential students, and seating all guests before the show.

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 .

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (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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