IMAGine runway at the Hilton Arden West Hotel (Image by: David Alvarez)

The International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) recently held its fourth annual Imagine Fashion Showcase. The Hilton Arden West Hotel in Sacramento hosted the very well-attended event. This showcase benefitted the Career Educational Scholarship Fund and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California. The annual Imagine Showcase, “The Future of Design,” featured the work of over a dozen fashion designers.

Sacramento’s IADT also showcased its educational offerings with informational stations at the Hilton’s Atrium and Solarium area. IADT offers several areas of study including Fashion Design and Marketing, Building Information Modeling, Construction Management and Design as well as Graphic, Interior and Advertising Design. Guests to the Imagine Showcase were able to enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres.

A gallery displaying student designs was set up for guests to see some of the quality work that has been created by IADT students. An outfit created from recycled products was on display, showing the diversity of IADT designers. The designs exhibited at the gallery were dynamic, glamorous and showed talent.

Pink mini layered skirt made of recycleable materials (Image by: David Alvarez)

IADT representatives were on hand to answer questions regarding their educational offerings. The event also gave guests the opportunity to network with professionals in the fashion, hair and make-up, media and business industries. Work from graphic and interior design students also contributed to the gallery showing.

IADT gallery (Image by: David Alvarez)

Before the show began, I had the opportunity to talk to three designers about their work. One of them was Samuel Parkinson, the first male designer to take part in the Imagine Showcase. Onelly Olivas Perez and Dedra Turner also took some time from their busy schedule to answer a few questions.

Samuel Parkinson called his collection “Naturally Urban.”

“Basically, it’s a mixture between nature and the city and I brought those two matters together to form my collection,” said Parkinson.

He has been studying design for three years and has been in fashion one year longer. Thus far, he has taken part in a few club shows as well as a couple of shows connected with the school. The Sacramento native will graduate from IADT in approximately six months.

When asked what he would like to do next Parkinson responded, “I’d like to get an internship with Adidas in Germany. Maybe for the summer or for at least two and a half months.”

Finally, when asked about how it felt to be the first male to participate in the showcase Parkinson said, “It feels good, I don’t really feel much different, maybe I’ll stand out a little bit more.”

Onelly Olivas Perez had her own take on the Imagine Showcase.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I could come through and actually put together a line of clothing and it’s been one of my lifetime goals to become a designer. Making clothing makes me happy,” said Onelly Olivas Perez, responding to what got her involved in design. She’s been sewing for a long time and got the inspiration from her mom. Her mom used to work at a manufacturing plant and took Onelly with her a few times. As a young kid she watched her mom sew for hours at a time.

Onelly’s designs did not have a name, but as she put it, “It doesn’t have a name but I was inspired by the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. I was inspired by that, it has a lot of reds, blacks and whites and is romantically modest and a little gothic.”

Onelly will be graduating in three months.

“That’s why I wanted to do this show, because it’s my last show for the school and I just wanted to be a part of it.”

As to Onelly’s plans after IADT, she said, “I’d like to go into perhaps pattern making. Making patterns or maybe getting into something like costume design for theater.”

When asked if she would move somewhere else to do that, she indicated that she would really like to stay in Sacramento. The Idaho native has made Sacramento her adopted home.

Onelly also provided some advice for those wanting to enter the field.

“It may look all glamorous, but it’s a lot of work. You put a lot of work into it but it’s worth every single sweat and tear involved into every single stitch.”

Sacramento native Dedra Turner is within two semesters of graduating. Intuition played a part in Dedra’s choice in attending IADT.

When asked about the inspiration for her collection, she said, “Everything inspired my collection. I’m an outgoing person, I’m spontaneous, and I’m a visionary. So what I see is what I draw and I then create it.”

Dedra’s personality comes across quite easily and her enthusiasm for design is very apparent.

As the fashion show was about to start, Lisa Quinn was introduced as the host for the evening. Lisa is an Emmy award winning television host and is the best-selling author of “Life’s Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets.” She is also a contributor to Better Homes and Gardens, Redbook, Life and Parade magazines. Lisa welcomed guests to the event and indicated she was very happy to be hosting the event.

Lisa Quinn, Imagine Fashion Showcase host (Image by: David Alvarez)

The first designer of the evening was Linda Vang. Linda’s designs for the evening were made to create a look that builds confidence with form-fitting dresses, exaggerated shoulder padding and mini dresses to elongate the legs. Her models showed off the sophisticated elegance of her designs. The dark colors in Linda’s designs were accentuated with ruffles and elegant accessories. The versatility of Linda’s designs was apparent as models wore strapless, sleeveless or one-sleeve outfits, showing off the designs as also being wearable for evening outings. Her designs oozed elegance.

Lisa Vang collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

Megan Busath’s adorable designs for little girl’s were created for durability, functionality and quality with a big dash of fun. Versatility is a large part of Megan’s collection and as such, they’re designed to mix and match to inspire various looks. Megan’s designs and her little models were a big hit with the audience.

Megan Busath collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

Onelly Olivas Perez’s deep reds, blacks and whites were inspired by the Queen of Hearts. Her playful and stylish designs were full of beautiful fabric accented with lace and ribbons. Layers of blacks, whites and reds created visions of dreamlike visions like those in the land of Alice.

Onelly Olivas Perez collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

Through the influence of her family’s Latino traditions, culture and heritage, the Edith Gonzalez collection touched on functionality and aesthetic and visual perceptions. One of the first models down the runway donned an elegantly beautiful outfit suited to be worn for the opera, symphony or a night out on the town. Edith’s collection showed off colorful one and two piece outfits with a twist, to traditional ethnic dresses. Her breathtaking collection showcased a colorful concept.

Edith Gonzalez collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

“Paradise Goddess” was Denisea Carey’s collection and was inspired by the island of Jamaica. Her intention was to reflect the bright colors of its culture and how they are expressed in everyday wear. Lucid one and two piece outfits lit up the runway as Denisea’s collection was showcased.

Denisea Carey collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

Cassandra Faustino had an audience in mind. Her collection was designed for young women in the 16 to 28 year range. This target group pushes the boundaries of fashion and wants to be unique. Faustino’s inspiration was Lady Gaga’s amazing and unique style. Fabrics used in her collection were also chosen for their unique and pure inspirations. The overall ensembles were created by choosing vivid colors mixed with many accents. Theatrically dramatic and fun outfits were at the center of Cassandra’s designs. Cassandra’s inspiration was present on the top she wore that read, “Born This Way.”

Cassandra Faustino collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

Lisa Quinn introduced the judges for the evening. Gerry Simpson, Sacramento artist and photographer; Michael Sommerfield, couture bridal designer in Sacramento; Karen Lee Ford, pioneer design professional and Duane Mykha Ram, Magnum Opus producer of Sacramento Fashion Week, were the judges for the evening.

Maritza Neri was the first designer to showcase her fashion after intermission. The Rococo era inspired Maritza’s collection. The late baroque inspirations modernized by Maritza were elegant in design and exquisitely put together with lace, satin and other fabrics.

Maritza Neri collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

Dedra Turner’s collection was inspired by the comedy film “White Chicks.” Dedra’s collection allowed her to think outside the box and was a great start for her exhibition. Dedra’s mix of print and solid fabrics were colorful, stylish and delightfully put together. Her collection received verbal praise from the people behind me.

Dedra Turner collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

The next designers, Alex and Jackie Anaya, used fall colors and styles to put together their collection. Their Formosa collection combined neutral colors to create their designs. Several of the outfits were stylishly accented by complementary headdress. Their contemporary and vintage-inspired fashion created an exceptional collection.

Alex and Jackie Anaya collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

Ka Lor’s line of classic designs with a sense of mysticism created the Midnight Dragonfly collection. Ka’s color inspirations were derived from the wings of the blue dragonflies and the black and grays of the midnight sky. Her outfits beautifully draped over the models and flowed as they walked down the runway. Simple, chic designs stylishly showcased Ka’s collection, which is meant to be worn during the daytime, nighttime and special occasions.

Ka Lor collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

“Heritage Grunge” was the name of Natalie Kerbs' collection. The target audience for this collection was junior women ages 18 to 25. Easy flowing, casual as well as classy trends accented this line of clothing. Floral prints and soft flowing silhouettes were used to create a soft heritage feel to the collection. To give her collection a “grunge” look, Natalie mixed plaids with floral prints; polka dots were also included to give it a 90’s look. This youthful creation was also well received by fashionistas to the side of the runway.

Natalie Kerbs collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

The last collection of the evening belonged to Samuel Parkinson. His Kings Tribe’s Naturally Urban collection was inspired by the combination of Mother Nature and the great city. Samuel’s edgy style combined a new and classic look to create a new urban style for the trendy customer, as well as using colors seen in nature to create his stylish apparel. Kings Tribe’s name is derived from the belief that we are a group of equally powerful individuals working toward greatness. Simple wear combined with an edgy layer look creates the Samuel Parkinson look geared to both men and women who enjoy style.

Samuel Parkinson collection (Image by: David Alvarez)

After the fashion show, Kathy Kerr-Carpenter, Fashion Department Chair, came onstage to acknowledge some of the many who were involved in the Imagine Showcase.

Recognition and awards ceremony (Image by: David Alvarez)

Awards for the evening were given out to some of the designers. The Judge’s Choice award winners were Natalie Kerb, Maritza Neri, Samuel Parkinson and Ka Lor. Natalie Kerb also received the award for Full Collection Designer. Cassandra Faustino was chosen for the Emerging Designer award.

The International Academy of Design and Technology put together a great show. This was a true gala event where emerging and established designers were present to view this showcase talent. Volunteers, as always, were plentiful, and they helped put together this successful show. The future of design was enjoyed by the many who attended the Imagine Showcase.

The social event was very well-attended, and from the talent seen at the event, it is sure to continue to grow. The event was not only a social celebration, it also benefited two worthwhile causes: the Career Educational Scholarship Fund, which helps students gain access to an education that can change their lives in the communities in which they live, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California, a local charity dedicated to serving children who are being treated at nearby hospitals and medical facilities.

Talent, hard work and dedication were showcased by IADT designers at the gala event. Sponsors and the team behind Imagine put together a fabulous show. Look forward to next year’s showcase, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary in Sacramento.