Recently I was asked to be the "Guest Mentor" for an AMAZING event involving....wait for it... The Wizard of Oz !!! In light of the 70TH Anniversary of the iconic film, Warner Bros. and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM are partnering to present The Wizard of Oz Exhibition Opening Night Gala Featuring The Ruby Slipper Collection. 
Dorothy's Slippers 2009: The Ruby Slippers, as seen by the eyes of the Moschino design houseLast Fall, nineteen fashion and shoe designers were asked to design modern and unique shoe interpretations based on the famous Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and Moschino all took part in this great event. Their outstanding designs formed The Ruby Slipper Collection, which debuted in September 2008 to kick off Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.
Warner Brothers asked the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to invite their top students of Accessory, Fashion and Footwear Design to create unique pieces for this 70Th Anniversary event. One winner will be chosen from both the Accessories (Jewelry) and Footwear categories. Both winners will be flown to New York in the Fall to celebrate the 70TH Anniversary Gala in that city. In addition, the chosen winner of the Footwear Design will ultimately form part of The Ruby Slipper Collection.
FIDM Super Lab: Debut 2009 designers Johnathan Webster, Adrian Manuel, Valetina Vardanyan, and Natalie Hara await their "Wizard of Oz" assignmentUltimately these designs will be auctioned this upcoming September for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. LA-based designer Tarina Tarnatino was asked to mentor the Accessories student designers, helping them in the creation of their jewelry.
OK Kids, You May Now Begin: FIDM Alumn (and Debut '09 Graduate) Adrian Manuel begins draping his creationAt the same time, I was honored to have been asked to mentor the Fashion Design portion of this event. We chose four former students, whom I had previously taught for the Advanced Fashion Design/Debut 2009 Program, and asked them to create designs based on Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. They were very excited to participate in such a one-of-a-kind challenge and were ready to "Make It Work". The FIDM Super Lab for The Wizard of Oz was "born". I helped them with their designs, choosing fabrics and trims, draping, patterns as well as construction, bringing to life their wondrous ideas.
Not So Cowardly Lioness: Adrian Manuel's illustration of his designNext week--on Tuesday, June 9Th--will be unveiling all their designs, at a the Opening Night Gala of the Wizard of Oz Exhibition at the FIDM Downtown LA Campus. Days ago, I got a sneak peak at the almost-finished creations and I am very proud of them; they look AMAZING! This event will also launch The Wizard of Oz Hot Air Balloon Tour that will travel across the country. The Emerald City Green Balloon will actually be on campus for all the VIP guests! (I know, Stop It!!!). This exhibition--which includes the Ruby Slipper Collection-- will run from June 10Th through June 21st at the FIDM Museum and Galleries. And it's FREE to the public! And don't we really love (and appreciate) that!
Click HERE for the press release and for more info.