By Cecil Giltz
Lifetimes staff writer
Details are the defining step onto the runway or into the marketplace, according to Jeff Bergus, Portfolio design critic, as he announced Lisa Nicole Johnson as the recipient of the Best of Show Award for Portfolio 7 hosted by the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising at Kent State University.
She received the Husqvarna Viking Sewing and Embroidery Machine awarded by Husqvarna Viking. New York City design critic R. Scott French also paid close attention to his senior design students" abilities to follow directions, even to the point of making changes.
The R. Scott French Critics Award went to Carolyn Ksenyak; the Jeff Bergus Critics Award went to Christina Tucholski; the Children"s Wear Senior Design Award went to Nicole Witte; and the Stephen Whitney Baum Endowed Critics Award went to Katie Marshall.
Oscar de la Renta, 7 inductee into the Fashion School Hall of Fame, also is renowned for his precision from the first cut to the last embellishment. His retrospective exhibition, "American Elegance," on display through Sept. 2 at the KSU Museum, is one example after another of creative genius, passion for his work and exacting scrutiny of the finished product, as explained at the afternoon press conference by his company representatives, Alex Bolen, chief executive officer for Oscar de la Renta Ltd., and his stepdaughter, Eliza Bolen, creative director.
Alex Bolen said that de la Renta still fits the whole garment of everyone that goes down the runway. He said, "The success of our line is that clothes are very well made."
In de la Renta"s absence due to a bad cold, the Bolens accepted the award on his behalf at the evening Portfolio Show. The possibility of a future visit by de la Renta to see the exhibit was mentioned.
During the press conference, the Bolens referred to the "family team" effort which has been expanding the international company, most recently, into home furnishings. In reference to questions about the designer"s favorites in the KSU exhibit and his past accomplishments, Alex Bolen repeated a comment that he"d heard from de la Renta, "... only a glance back and then to look forward."
After recognizing Oscar de la Renta"s induction, Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes, director of the Fashion School, announced that "La Noche," Portfolio 7, was dedicated to Helen W. Dix in appreciation of her support of the Fashion School and in honor of her 90th birthday.
Rhodes then announced the dedication of the Burton D. and Margaret C. Morgan Fashion Design Wing in Rockwell Hall.
Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland also was recognized by Rhodes before the show. Her long gown in dusty amethyst, which she wore for the inaugural ball of her husband, Gov. Ted Strickland, was designed by Linda Ohrn-McDaniel and Sherry Schofield- Tomschin, both instructors at the Fashion School.
The newly remodeled KSU Student Center Ballroom came alive as spotlights lit the runway where models showcased the original collections of nearly 30 selected senior fashion design students, as well as junior menswear collections for "La Noche."