On March 17, the Art Institute of Seattle performed Fashion Olympiad, its fifth annual fashion show, to a sellout audience at the Moore Theater. The avant garde art-student production was modeled on grand opera. Theatrics met fashion, choreography, and marketing.

Instead of the traditional catwalk, each act featured a designer or two. The Grecian-style, flowing fabrics, romantic designs and overall wistfulness transported the audience to Mount Olympus, as devised by show writer/director/overseer Bob Hughes. Each act had a unique style, with music, dancing gladiator boys, character performances and [of course] original designers by the student designers. A video screen broadcast silent-movie captions: "Isn't she a succulent beauty." Models moved to the narration of Vincent Price from Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Drag queens dressed as opera singers in horned helmets.

The event is nearly entirely put on by AIS students and graduates: Clothing, hair, make-up, promotions, lights, music, set design. (The only non-AIS elements were a few hairdos by Etherea Salon in Belltown.) Garments were judged before the show by professionals working in the fashion industry, with seven awards handed out to student designers: Tim McInnis (formal wear), Jennifer Hanson (separate awards for bridal and street wear), Elly Chang ("fashion forward"), Autumn Fitzpatrick (party/cocktail). Emily Brazil George (costume), and Sarah Jenny (best overall designer). McInnis, Chang, and George are Belltown residents.

In other fashion news, the BAZ R series continues April 23 at the Baltic Room (1207 Pine Street). This monthly three-ring fashion show features models placed on platforms around the club, with featured multimedia artists and rotating DJs and bands. Coordinators Megan Overman and Jesse Weinberg vow to showcase Seattle's best kept hidden secrets in music, art and fashion.

- Megan Lee

© 2006 Belltown Messenger