Baltimore City Community College will hold its 30th Annual Fashion Show, Kaleidoscope, Sunday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m. in the William F. Lockwood Forum on the second floor of the Harbor Campus Bard Building, 600 E. Lombard St.  Tickets are $8 for students with ID; $10 for the general public.

The student-produced event features men's, women's and children's styles along with costumes and experimental designs. In celebration of the show's 30th anniversary, audience members will be introduced to the haute couture collections designed by senior-level students. Each original garment has been crafted and meticulously constructed by both hand and machine methods taught in the fashion design program.
   
I am very excited about the level of quality We've been able to showcase, said BCCC associate professor Sally Di Marco, coordinator of the Fashion Design program. "This year's fashion show will feature an eclectic mix of clothing reflecting classic lines, changing silhouettes, and a variety of styles.

As part of the preparation, students in the Fashion Show Production class and their instructor, Ms. Katarina Kozarova, coordinated this year's show under the guidance of professional fashion show planners Jennifer Smith, senior production assistant, and Duane Walker, production assistant. Student Erin Kennedy is the show's modeling director. The BCCC Fine Arts program, in collaboration with Fashion Design students and personnel, will assist in the creation of set designs.

Local disc jockey Michael Boggs will provide event music. Videographer David Hernandez is slated to record the entire show. 

What has become BCCC's annual fashion fate was inaugurated in the spring of 1979 by students Franklin Morell Alexander, Charlene Hyman, the late Damon A. Gibson and fellow classmates, who conceived the idea of an annual show reflecting students artistic visions, talents and aesthetics. The show has become a highlight of the academic year.
   
BCCC is the only community college in the Baltimore region to offer a fashion design program. Graduates of the program have transferred to the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Parson's School of Design in New York City, and gone on to become successful fashion industry entrepreneurs:

    Blondell Howard started the first sewing lounge in the state of Maryland. The lounge provides space and the use of equipment for sewing enthusiasts, all in a supportive setting. The facility also offers clothing construction classes for children and adults.

    Marilyn Johnson offers clothing services custom-made to individual needs.  Her specialty is designing costumes for local theater productions.

    Duane Walker specializes in custom-made men's wear.

    Erika Yuille is a mixed media artist specializing in fashion photography. She does custom design clothing, in particular for children.

    Paulette Jones is president of a community concern which provides showcasing and networking opportunities to area fashion entrepreneurs.
 

In order to expose students to as many real-life perspectives as possible,
Ms. Di Marco maintains a list of active alumni who return regularly to serve as guest lecturers and mentors. For more information, contact the BCCC Communications Office or Ms. Di Marco at 410-986-5522.