Fame 2009 Review - Watch Out Hollywood

Watch out Hollywood and couture, competition is on its way. Every year The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago puts on a show at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, showcasing works of art through media and fashion, created by students through a production known as FAME. As an attendee of this year’s collaboration, I must say the show was a huge success. I sat comfortably still in my seat while my eyes widened in disbelief to see how much talent one Chicago institution possessed. NBC 5’s Art Norman amicably and comically silenced the audience as he introduced the media show. Later, Erica Strama, from The Shops at North Bridge, accompanied him to introduce the fashion show.

The first half started off with media segments that students had worked on. The segments included Animation/Game Art, Animation Stills, Visual Effects and Motion Graphics, Digital Film and Video Production, and 2-D Stills. It was overwhelming to see all the presentations being revealed one after the other and although it was hard to take in every piece of work because of the quick transitions between each one, it was astounding. Some students even went home with awards to prove their success. Patrick Faynik won Best of Show Animation with his piece “Hungry”. “Mobility Scooter Deathmatch” by Ashleigh Wiatrowski, Matt Quintanilla, and Guillermo Madrigal took home the award for Best of Show Games. Todd Kumpf and Georgina Peralta were awarded for Best of Show Visual Effects. The final award for Digital Film and Video Production went to Maggie Aquirre, Dayne Cano, Miggy Downs, Duncan Maxwell, and Waqa Qazi for their creative making of “Mister Morris”, a rap music video that made my head bob involuntarily and found a place in my memory.

After a brief intermission, the second half of FAME 2009 followed with a fashion show that really hit home since fashion is a big passion of mine. As the lights dimmed, silhouettes of models for the first designer walked on stage to set their positions. Pop music was heard through the loud speakers as the lights became brighter and the catwalks began. The show was compiled with six different scenes including: No Gray Matter, North Bridge Goes Green, Cut and Color, Spring Ahead, Make an Entrance, and Steam Punk, which had its personal introduction and reflected on a “Victorian elegance” consisting of science-fiction and science-fantasy characters. Models strut the stage wearing these inspiring pieces until the show came to an end as the gifted designers walked on stage, forming a horseshoe shape bordering the stage, gleaming with joy. The audience gave them a huge appreciation for their work with a grand applause and some hoots and hollers.

Some of the designers were also awarded for their achievements. Michelle Kuvalcaba took home Best Senior Collection. Rachel David won Excellence in Wearable Art. Jenna Ritter was awarded with Excellence in Costume Design. Excellence in Sportswear went to Tellisa Amos. Angie Ortega left with an award for Excellence in Children’s Wear. She established a crowd favorite by dressing adorable children, which were happily soaking in their moment of glory and glamour, in her designs.

Ryan Theobald won me over with his gorgeous bridal gown, so it came to no surprise that he received the award for Excellence in Eveningwear/Bridal.

I think the most extraordinary accomplishment though fell into the hard working hands of Danielle Wyman. She made history by being the first to score a perfect ten and took home the award for FAME 2009 Best of Show for her collection. She earned it too. She had designed a couple of dresses that seemed impossible to construct unless you had loads of patience and a sense of balance and stability.

FAME 2009 was a theater packed production. It was a jaw dropping, eye popping, and heart thumping experience. The artistic ability that these students are blessed with is mind blowing. I’m thrilled to have gotten to see the hard work the students of The Illinois Institute of Art shared. I would like to congratulate all the students in the show on their accomplishments and the instructors who lead their students to such great lengths of success.

Published on Mar 14, 2009