WINNING ARTIST—Christopher Lopez, a fashion design student at the Art Institute in San Bernardino holds the gold (ADDY) advertising award he won for his fashion illustrations in the Inland Empire competition earlier this year. On June 13, he won a silver ADDY at the national convention in Las Vegas, becoming the first fashion design student to ever win a national award at the American Advertising Federation competition. The artistic designs are from his award winning HAUS of Wonderland-A Fairy Tale Couture collection of fashion illustrations. Photos by Robert Swapp Photography.
Christopher Lopez, a junior at the Art Institute wins a Silver ADDY, the first national award by a fashion design student from the Inland Empire
(San Bernardino, CA) A local college student has made history for being the first fashion design student from the Inland Empire to ever win a Silver Award in national competition sponsored by the American Advertising Federation.
Christopher Lopez, 28, of Moreno Valley won a Silver ADDY award in the student competition at the 2015 National American Advertising Federation Conference at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 13.
Lopez is a third year student in the bachelor of arts program in fashion design at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire campus in San Bernardino.
His creation, HAUS of Wonderland—A c Tale Couture, earned the award for excellence in the Illustration Campaign category. To advance to the national level, Lopez needed to win at two levels of competition. He first won a gold ADDY in local Inland Empire competition, then a silver award at the district level earlier this year.
The American Advertising Awards (formerly ADDY’s) recognize excellence in professional and student artistic work in a three-tier system, starting in the Inland Empire and advancing to district and national competition. Over 40,000 submissions are received for judging every year at the national level in a variety of categories.
“This is a very prestigious award,” said Su Pak, president of the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation. “It’s the first time a fashion design student from the Inland Empire has advanced to win a silver award at the national level. This is a remarkable achievement and we are very proud of Chris!”
As a student artist, Lopez has a passion for design. “I always like to tell a story with each of my pieces. I want my audience to get drawn into a wonderland-like state when exploring each piece with my designs, and great attention to detail, and that’s exactly what I delivered with this fashionably adventurous collection.”
HAUS of Wonderland-A Fairy Tale Couture is a fashion illustration collection that Lopez says was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and present day couture fashion.
His collection features four highly stylized sketches that are designed for a couture runway show or costumes for a film, play or musical. “Each piece is based on four characters from the story, featuring the adventurous Alice, the elaborate yet villainous Queen of Hearts and trouble making duo, the Tweedle Twins, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.”
After graduation from the Art Institute in 2016, Lopez wants be a costume designer for film, TV and the entertainment business. “I love telling stories and making them come to life with my designs. I love working with themes and concepts. I’m an artist at heart and my family says it’s in my blood.” At the Art Institute, career service advisors assist students with job placement as they near graduation.
Lopez is from Los Angeles and grew up in Arcadia where he developed his artistic passion for fashion illustration in high school. Later, he chose the Art Institute in San Bernardino because it was closer to his new home in Moreno Valley and offered everything he wanted to reach his career goals.
What’s his best advice for young aspiring artists? “Achieving this award truly made my Wonderland become a reality,” said Lopez. “Make your Wonderland become a reality by working hard and having true passion for your art and craft.”
For more information contact: John Barry, public relations, AAF-Inland Empire, jpbarry05@yahoo.com (714)457-2279 or visit www.aaf-inlandempire.com to learn more about coming events.
Dameron Communications won a Bronze Award in the Public Service Poster Division in the 2011 competition.
(Ontario, CA) How to submit and win ADDY awards is the topic of a presentation by an advertising executive on Thursday, Nov. 13 from 5:30-7pm at Westwood College in Upland. The event is free and open to the public. It is being sponsored by the Inland Empire chapter of the American Advertising Federation
Mark Landon, owner of the Landon Agency in Ontario will present “Go for ADDY Gold: How to Win An Addy,” based on his extensive experience as chair of the American Advertising Awards at both the local and national level.
American Advertising Awards (ADDY’s) are given annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) to recognize excellence in advertising throughout the Inland Empire, both for professional and student work. ADDY awards will be presented on March 13, 2015 at the ADDY Gala in Riverside.
For the past 17 years, Landon has been a member of the National American Advertising Awards Committee of the AAF and has chaired many local ADDY competitions, including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and the Inland Empire (for over 10 years).
He served two terms as president of the AAF-Inland Empire, two terms as governor, District 15 and two terms as Western Region Chair. He also spent four years on the AAF National Board of Directors and two years on the AAF National Executive Committee.
“Mark is superbly qualified to lead this discussion,” said Su Pak, President of the AAF-IE. “He is a recognized expert on advertising and the ADDY competition. If you want to learn how to organize, enter, submit and win an ADDY, this is not to be missed.” She said that anyone involved in ADDY submissions at ad agencies, local cities or corporations should attend.
Since 1991, the Landon Agency has specialized in entertainment and lifestyle accounts. Landon has created advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns for record labels, professional sporting events, artists, bands, live theater, TV programs and special events.
Westwood College is located at 20 W. 7th St. in Upland, just north of the I-10 at Euclid. To learn more about the event or the AAF, visit http://aaf-inlandempire.com/
Dameron Communications won a Bronze Award in the Public Service Poster Division in the 2011 competition.
(Riverside, CA) The deadline for entries in the 2012 ADDY Award competition is Friday, Feb. 1. The ADDY’s are sponsored annually by the American Advertising Federation-Inland Empire Chapter and award excellence in advertising. ADDY contestants should register their entries online and then drop them off locally in Redlands or at a special event on Jan. 31 in Fontana.
In the professional category, submissions must include advertising that appeared from January 1 to December 31, 2012, according to the AAF’s John McCarthy, chair of this year’s competition. Students are welcome to participate and submissions are encouraged. There are over 100 categories covering all aspects of advertising, including some new and expanded areas this year.
To register online, visit http://aaf-inlandempire.com, click on ADDYS, download a copy of the competition rules and follow the instruction links. Then, submissions may be dropped off at Red Fusion Media, 104 E. State Street, Suite P, Redlands, CA 92373.
Another way to drop off entries is at a special ADDY Drop & Drink event at Logan’s Roadhouse in Fontana at 6pm on Thursday, Jan. 31. ADDY contestants should bring their entries and enjoy a Cover Brand Advertising Jingle game with live music and over $100 in prizes.
“What a great way to have fun and drop off your ADDY entries at the same time,” said McCarthy. AAF members pay $10 and non-members $15. Registration deadline is Jan. 30 on the website.
McCarthy reminds contestants to use the code ADDY when registering online to avoid the registration fee for any entries dropped off in person.
The Inland Empire ADDY Awards is the first in a three-tier process, including local, district and national competition. The annual ADDY Gala Awards Dinner to recognize local winners is Friday, March 15 at the Mission Inn in Riverside.
For the Drop & Drink event, Logan’s Roadhouse is located at 13480 Baseline Avenue in Fontana. For more information on ADDY submissions, visit HelloJohnMcCarthy@gmail.com or call John McCarthy, (909)921-1062.
