This annual black-tie gala and fashion show featured more than 75 professional fashion models in almost 150 fashion designs from Otis College of Art and Design’s fashion design program.  The junior and senior classes were mentored by the best names in the industry including Isabel Toledo, Todd Oldham, Trina Turk, Koi Suwannagate and Robert Rodriguez.  (Select student fashion designs will also be exhibited post-event in the windows of Neiman Marcus, Beverly Hills and Savannah in Santa Monica.)  Eight hundred guests attended this year’s gala and almost $1 million ($950,000) was raised for art and design scholarships to L.A.’s first professional art institute, founded in 1918. 

Event also honored the 2010 recipients of the Otis Awards, recognizing individuals and companies who have made an impact through art and design.  Dr. Bijan Pakzad, Chairman and Designer of House of Bijan received the Otis Design Legend Award, and artist Tyrus Wong, a 1932 graduate of Otis College and an illustrator at both Disney and Warner Bros. studios, received an Otis Alumni Achievement Award. 

Notable attendees:

From Fashion/Design/Entertainment: Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Trina Turk, Todd Oldham, Bob Mackie, Robert Rodriguez, Koi Suwannagate, Bijan of Beverly Hills, John Martens of Neiman Marcus BH, interior designer Michael S. Smith and actress Peggy Lipton.  From Business and Politics: Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia, Tom Gores of Platinum Equity, Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad, LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Robert Zarnegin of The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Peter Goulds of LA Louver, Bob McKnight of Quiksilver, Thomas Miller of Ciy National Bank, French Consulate Cultural Attache Yann Perreau and Cliff Einstein. From Philanthropy: Hope Warschaw, Elaine and Bram Goldsmith, Bronya and Andy Galef, Carmen Warschaw, Jim and Laura Maslon, and Gail Buchalter.  And Samuel Hoi, president of Otis College.

The 2010 Otis Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show was orchestrated by a dynamic and experienced Benefit Committee: co-chairs Joyce Arad and Lisa Janian with vice chair Christine Elia, Shelley E. Reid, Adrianne Zarnegin, and Elaine Goldsmith, who established this successful fundraising event almost 30 years ago.

Proceeds benefit the Otis Fund for Scholarships. For information visit www.otis.edu.  

About Otis: Founded in Los Angeles in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design prepares diverse students of art and design to enrich our world through their creativity, their skill, and their vision.  The College offers an interdisciplinary education for 1200 full-time students, awarding BFA degrees in Advertising Design, Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Digital Media, Fashion Design, Illustration, Graphic Design, Product Design, Painting, Photography, Sculpture/New Genres and Toy Design; and MFA degrees in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing.  Continuing Education offers certificate programs as well as personal and professional development courses.  More information on Otis College of Art and Design is available at www.otis.edu or by calling (310) 665-6800.