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In the News
January 31, 2012
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB ARTWORK ON DISPLAY AT FRANKLIN ART SCENE
Williamson County Youth's Artwork to be Featured At O'More College of Design
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Artwork from 17 members of the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin will be on display during the Franklin Art Scene this Friday, Feb. 3, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at O'More College of Design.
The Franklin Art Scene is a monthly art crawl featuring artists and working studios, with work ranging from handcrafted jewelry to antique prints and original art to mixed media and live music. The art crawl is free, and a $5 trolley ticket will carry participants to dozens of art studios and alternative galleries from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information on participating locations, visit the Franklin Art Scene website.
The 26 Boys & Girls Club portraits, painted by young people ranging in age from kindergarten to college, will hang in Café Eloise on the O'More campus. The College chose the Boys & Girls Club artwork as this month's featured collection in its Student Gallery, as a means by which to shine some light on the budding talent being cultivated through the organization.
"The Boys & Girls Club has impacted so many lives in profound ways," says Susan DeGarmo, curator of the O'More Student Gallery. "We wanted to use this opportunity to showcase the work they are doing for our community."
The Boys & Girls Club is a non-profit organization devoted to enabling young people in need to reach their full potential through outreach programs that focus on character development, arts and education, and health. The Club makes the programs available to more than 700 Williamson County youth each year.
DeGarmo, a visual communications instructor at the school, spent two afternoons in January at the non-profit with O'More fashion design student Jennifer Evans. The two began by discussing the anatomy of the face and body with the young people. DeGarmo also provided instructional materials on diagram drawings of the face.
"I gave them a certain structure to go by to keep it consistent," DeGarmo says. "They did a beautiful job, and are all really excited to have their work hanging in the gallery."
The art lesson was open to all of the organization's members. The boys and girls began by outlining the subject's face in pencil on 20" x 30" framable foamcore, and used acrylic paint and black ink to complete the project. The displayed work depicts portraits of the artists themselves, family members, or friends. Some participants painted as many as three portraits.
Boys & Girls Club Director Stephen Davis will be on hand, along with a number of the artists, during the Art Scene to answer questions and discuss volunteer opportunities with the organization.
The portraits will hang in the O'More Student Gallery for the month of February. Some paintings are for sale.
"I hope that this event will bring attention to our neighbors, and the amazing effect they have on young people," DeGarmo says.
Founded in 1970 and located in the downtown historic district of Franklin, Tenn., O'More College of Design offers bachelor of fine arts degrees in fashion design, interior design and visual communications.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcfwc.org.
January 30, 2012
ABC's Dancing With The Stars Designer Speaks To O'More Students
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Emmy Award-winning designer Randall Christensen held O'More College of Design students' interest captive on Friday, Jan. 27, when he spoke to them on his role as a veteran designer for ABC's Dancing With The Stars.
Christensen's designs were showcased on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the fifth-annual "A Fashion Affair," a runway show hosted by A Vintage Affair. The Franklin-based non-profit supports local charities through a series of fund-raising events, and has partnered with O'More the past three years to to offer an annual fellowship program for the College's students.
Students who attended the presentation were given a first-hand look at backstage goings-on of the ABC show set by the dance-wear couture designer. Christensen regaled his audience on Friday with stories of the dynamics between dancers and designers, and the chaotic schedule in the world of Dancing With The Stars. He also recounted moments from other high-profile projects, such as the 2004 film Shall We Dance.
"You have to be three-fourths psycho-analyst when building these gowns for celebrities, and one-fourth designer," he says.
Christensen, who has been with Dancing With The Stars from the beginning, told students that many times, his team has three days to produce the garments seen on the show. Between the 15-hour shifts and costumes that need 14, 000 hand-sewn crystal embellishments, the designer says he's been to the emergency room four times in his 11 seasons.
"It was because of the passion, and the desire to get everything perfect," he says.
Christensen never had formal training, but told students he wished he could have attended a design school like O'More. He left them with a piece of professional advice.
"Be a bit impatient and always aspire," he says.
To see more photos from the question and answer session, go here.
About A Vintage Affair
A Vintage Affair is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that is dedicated to raising money for Williamson County charities that benefit women and children in need. AVA hosts various events throughout the year in order to fulfill the goal of fundraising for the community. Since its inception in 2001, AVA has contributed nearly a million dollars to local non-profit organizations.
January 24, 2012
Board Member Robinson Becomes Focal Point of International Cultural Festival
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - O'More College of Design board member Charles Robinson was honored to be selected to participate in an international musical show, celebrating the Katara amphitheatre grand opening in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar. For him, it was an opportunity to share the Native American culture on the world stage.
A member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Robinson was chosen by Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to represent his culture during the Dec. 13 opening of the Katara cultural village in Doha. The event corresponded with the commencement of the Doha 2011 United National Alliance of Civilization Forum in the capital of Qatar.
"It was one of the most unique experiences of my life," Robinson says.
Robinson dressed in traditional native regalia - which includes a feathered costume - for the musical show. The ceremony included internationally acclaimed artists from around the world, including India, Italy, Russia, China, Australia and Japan. Headlining the ceremony was Greek composer Vangelis, an Academy Award-winning musician best known for his score for the film Chariots of Fire.
"During the dress rehearsal, the prince of Qatar asked the directors to reposition me as one of the focal points in the ceremony," Robinson says. "I had hundreds of people asking for photos with ‘The Red Indian.' I took more pictures at that event than I have in five years."
Robinson says that the reaction from the dignitary, and his fellow world musicians, was a humbling experience.
"Even the famous composer (Vangelis) pulled me aside backstage to take a picture," he says. "These people were so intrigued by the Native American culture, something that we often take for granted."
As a result of its oil and natural gas exports, Qatar has the highest per capita income in the world. The Katara village is the latest push by the Qatari government to transform the country into an oasis of international culture. Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup games - a move that signifies its rising significance as a tourism hotspot.
"Qatar spent a huge amount just around the grand opening. Twenty million was the number that people were tossing around," Robinson says. "They want to position themselves as a cultural meeting place."
The nation of Qatar says that more than 6,000 visitors visit the cultural village each day, despite the fact that it will not be completed for five years. The amphitheatre is one of the largest in the Middle East, and was home to the 2012 ATP World Tour kick-off in January.
The concert was filmed by Universal Music, and CDs and DVDs of the international show will be for sale at a future date.
January 23, 2012
THIRD ANNUAL AVA FELLOWSHIP IMMERSES O'MORE STUDENTS IN HIGH-PROFILE EVENTS
Fashion, VisCom Students Trade Design Talents for Scholarships, Real-world Experience
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - A Vintage Affair, the Franklin-based non-profit supporting local charities through a series of fund-raising events, has partnered with O'More College of Design to offer the third-annual fellowship program for four O'More students.
Fashion design students Megan Chapman and Emily Mae Anderson and visual communications students Brittany Chapman and Bianca Blue Huff were selected to receive semester scholarships as part of a work-study program that includes various aspects of AVA event production.
"I love the creativity coming from O'More. It's such a talented group a people, and a valuable resource we have right in our backyard," says Ashley W. Roberts, managing director of A Vintage Affair. "They bring a younger edge to our events."
The four women had to meet certain criteria to be eligible for the fellowship. Past programs have included two student scholarships, but as a result of the exemplary work done by past recipients, AVA added two more this year. Starting last June, the students began assisting Roberts with graphic design, materials production, media relations and other elements of bringing together AVA's signature events, including a concert at the Franklin Theatre with Jeffrey Steele in July and the Grape Stomp in October.
All four students are in the midst of helping plan and execute A Vintage Affair's fifth-annual A Fashion Affair on Saturday, Jan. 28, a runway and wine tasting event that raises money for Williamson County charities.
VisCom students Brittany Chapman and Bianca Blue Huff have spent their hours designing posters, fliers and ads for the event. This is the second year Huff has been awarded the AVA fellowship, and she has helped design materials for six different AVA events. For Chapman, the design work she's done for the non-profit has been an important portfolio-building process.
"Brittany designed the poster when we hosted Jeffrey Steele at The Franklin Theatre, and we had people asking to buy it from us - and it wasn't even for sale!" Roberts says.
Fashion design students Megan Chapman and Emily Mae Anderson have worked with media relations and helped conduct the fund-raising campaign for A Fashion Affair. Roberts says that the women have played an integral part in planning the event, and will help run the show from backstage.
This year, A Fashion Affair will feature 2006 Emmy Award-winning designer Randall Christensen, perhaps best known for his dance-wear couture seen on ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
For Anderson, this will be a major meet and greet; she says her passion lies in costume design, and she hopes to find an outlet for that when she steps into the professional world.
"This is such a cool opportunity for all of us. I'm so enthusiastic just to be a part of it," Anderson says.
About A Vintage Affair
A Vintage Affair is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that is dedicated to raising money for Williamson County charities that benefit women and children in need. AVA hosts various events throughout the year in order to fulfill the goal of fundraising for the community. Since its inception in 2001, AVA has contributed nearly a million dollars to local non-profit organizations.
January 20, 2012
Interior Design Course Helps Produce Showroom For Custom Furniture Maker
Studio III Class To Design Saddlecreek Design's New Downtown Franklin Space
Franklin, TENN. - Scott Moore of Saddlecreek Design specializes in creating one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that are often the focal point of the room. He takes pride in the masterpieces he crafts, and he needs a space to display his labor. That's where interior design instructor Kim Zimmer and her Studio IIII students take the reins.
The interior design course will work with Saddlecreek Design through the spring semester to design the company's future storefront and space on Columbia Avenue in Downtown Franklin. On Wednesday, Zimmer and her team met with Moore to discuss his vision for the project, brainstorm initial ideas, and take site measurements.
Moore works with all design mediums- including wood, glass, steel- to blend custom finishes and unique style. The students' challenge is to produce a space that reflects and highlights the furniture. The group will have to work around city and building codes (and an archaic sump pump) to produce a space that fits the Saddlecreek Design needs. All aspects of the new showroom, from lighting to flooring to layout design to signage, will be in the hands of the students.
O'More will be documenting the student progress for the Saddlecreek Design site throughout the semester. To learn more about Saddlecreek Design, go here. To view more pictures of the ongoing project, and to follow the continuing process, go here.
January 16, 2012
O'More College of Design and TEAM IRELAND Partner for Irish Heritage Classes
Weekly Courses Will Focus on Irish Heritage and Community Bonding
Franklin, TENN. - O'More College of Design is partnering with TEAM IRELAND and Authentic Ireland Cultural Enrichment (A.I.C.E) to offer a series of weekly classes designed to promote Irish culture and its heritage. Each class, students will learn how to converse on various topics through the Gaelic language. People will also be able to participate in the through a live, online-viewing for each of the 10-week sessions.
TEAM IRELAND represents a partnership between nine distinct groups in Middle Tennessee that have an existing alliance with Ireland. These groups support an active relationship with the country in various ways, and TEAM IRELAND works to advance more robust relationships within the regional community.
"We want to bring together the people of Ireland and Middle Tennessee, and create a community that celebrates a common ancestry and shares a bond of Irishness," says Éilís Crean, fiddler and founder of TEAM IRELAND and A.I.C.E. "This sentiment is perpetuated by the logo and mantra, ‘TEAM IRELAND, Fostering Dignity and Beauty in Our Shared Irishness.'"
The classes will kick off Monday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. in The Ireland Room at O'More. In order to accommodate all schedules and locations, TEAM IRELAND and the design school will also offer a live viewing through Skype.
Each weekly class will center around Irish conversation, called "Cómhrá Ghaeilge." The series' mission is to pass along Irish culture in the form of language, music, song, dance and storytelling. Crean says that her inspiration for the Irish group, and this series, lies in one of the country's oldest traditions.
"Historically, people in Ireland gathered at houses to play music or even at a crossroads where dancers were included," Crean says. "The purpose of the gathering was camaraderie and friends-to inspired and vitalize one another. That's what I hope to do here."
More specifically, these classes will include lessons and conversations about the Gaelic language, traditions and folklore. Some lectures will be based around common themes, such as New Year's resolutions and St. Patrick's Day. However, Crean says that the series will focus mainly on Irish heritage, with in-depth topics such as: traditional Irish music, song, dance, storytelling, history and many more ideas prevalent to the Irish culture.
The classes will last one hour, and participants are encouraged to sign up for the full 10-week package. To view the weekly curriculum and sign up for classes, visit www.eiliscreanAICE.com, or email eiliscrean@gmail.com.
January 12, 2012
O'MORE COLLEGE OF DESIGN LAUNCHES COMMUNITY EDUCATION INITIATIVE
Courses from AutoCAD to Watercolor Painting Offer Creative Outlet in Winter Months
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - O'More College of Design is offering a variety of art and design-based community education courses to the public through a new initiative to be launched in mid-February.
Anyone over the age of 16 is invited to participate, regardless of skill level. Courses include Watercolor Fundamentals, an Artist Trading Cards Workshop, Beginning Crochet and an AutoCAD Workshop. Participants should expect a hands-on learning experience from O'More's leading instructors, and a class environment similar to that of O'More undergraduate courses.
"Our campus is a hub of creativity, and we wanted to provide an opportunity for the community to be a part of it," says Shari Fox, O'More's vice president of academic affairs. "For someone interested in trying a new artistic medium, it's a chance to learn from a professional and evaluate whether a full semester course would be valuable."
O'More maintains an enrollment of about 200 elite design students from all over the nation, producing graduates with bachelor of fine arts degrees and passion and expertise that extends past its campus.
"Our mission is to prepare students to think critically and imaginatively, to become responsible citizens, and to develop a pattern of lifelong learning," Fox says. "We can continue to fulfill that mission by igniting new passions and rekindling old ones through the Community Education initiative."
Participants can register online at here or by calling (615) 794-4254. The registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 6.
Founded in 1970 and located in the downtown historic district of Franklin, Tenn., O'More College of Design offers bachelor of fine arts degrees in fashion design, interior design and visual communications.
What: Watercolor Fundamentals
When: Saturdays; February 18-March 24
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Lehew Design Center Drawing Studio in The Factory (Building 9)
Cost: $180; materials not provided
Description: Relax and let the paint flow in this introductory watercolor class. Students will learn a variety of traditional paint applications including wet on wet, dry brush, masking, splatter, and more. Participants must be 16 years and older.
What: Artist Trading Cards Workshop
When: Saturday, February 11
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Studio 1 on the O'More campus
Cost: $50 class fee; $15 supply fee
Description: What are Artist Trading Cards? In this one-day workshop, you'll discover how a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch card can become a beautiful work of art. Participants will learn how to create these cards with a variety of mixed-media. You're encouraged to bring found items, such as photos, unique collage pieces and personal effects to create these one-of-a-kind cards. No previous skills required. Participants must be 16 years and older.
What: Beginning Crochet
When: Tuesdays; February 21-February 28
Time: 6 p.m.-8p.m.
Where: Café Eloise on the O'More campus
Cost: $100; materials not provided
Description: Participants will learn basic instructions to understand and use the general stitches needed to produce a beautiful, sampler-stitch scarf. No previous skills required. Participants must be 16 years and older.
What: AutoCAD
When: Tuesdays; February 21-March 27
Time: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Where: CAD Lab on the O'More Main Campus
Cost: $180
Description: Not familiar with the latest version of AutoCAD? Do you feel your skills have gotten a bit rusty? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, join us for this Auto CAD refresher class. Topics include: Intro to Auto CAD 2012, basic drawing and modification commands, creating text, annotation, blocks, external references, viewports, layout, and plotting. Participants must be 16 years and older.
January 11, 2012
President's Best Of Men's Event Returns March 9
O'More President Mark Hilliard is bringing his popular men's event back to campus on Friday, March 9th from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring Best Of... categories in everything from watches to whiskeys, bow ties to leather goods, and cars to electronic gadgets. On Saturday, March 10, both men and women are invited to attend workshops on cigars and men's style.
Participants will have an opportunity to talk with brand representatives and examine a host of luxury products before making a purchase decision. Great food, drink, cigars and casino games make this one of the best parties of the year.
Featured Business Partners and Products Include:
- Luxury Watches: David King, King Jewelers
- Premium Leather Goods: Colonel Littleton
- Designer Eyewear: Dr. David Shen, Vue Optique
- Luxury Cadillacs: Nelson Andrews, Andrews Cadillac
- Hand-made Bow Ties: Otis James, James Bow Ties
- Electronic Gadgets: Josh Lomelino, VisCom Chair
- Southern Whiskeys: Holiday Wine and Spirits
- Top Cigars, Cigar Aficionado: Holiday Beer and Cigars
- New Premium Cigars: General Cigar
For more information or to purchase tickets, please click here.
December 16, 2011
PROM PARTNERSHIP IS A PLUS FOR O'MORE
Design students create hard-to-find sizes for charity
By Maria Giordano
Article published by Williamson A.M. in The Tennessean. To read the story, go here.
FRANKLIN - There's something about dressing up for prom. It's that chance to wear a special dress, primp and look your best.
But for some girls, getting that dress would not be possible without organizations such as Fairy Godmother of Music City, a group that collects formal gowns and all the accessories for an annual prom dress giveaway.
The Nashville-based organization recently partnered with O'More College of Design to engage fashion design students to help with a recurring challenge: the need for plus-size dresses.
In the past, the group has been unable to fill this niche, said Heather Figlioli, a fashion design instructor at O'More. And, that's where her innovative fashion design course came into play.
Typically, fashion design is geared toward the size 4 runway model. The nonprofit needed dresses for sizes 18 and up. So, for a grade in Figlioli's class, students took discarded prom dresses and retooled them to make new ones for curvier girls.
"I think it's sparked some interest in the students, especially knowing someone is going to wear their design," Figlioli said. "It's nice they get the real-life experience."
Students face new task
Students in the class, made up of juniors and seniors, were allowed to use basic patterns to help with their creations. They deconstructed up to four smaller dresses to get the material needed to make one gown, few had ever made a plus-size dress before, and some commented that some of the plus-size formal dresses they had seen were more for a mature woman.
All of Figlioli's students are fashion design majors, which means at some point they will be responsible for developing and creating a collection for a final grade. Students in the class said reconstructing the larger dresses helped to hone their practical skills and think outside their comfort zones.
"A lot of times when we design clothes, it's for someone in our heads or the form," said Krista Allison, 21. "It's nice to be connected to the real girl. It's really rewarding."
It's also tricky, said Lauren Cunningham, 20. Using multiple dresses requires them to be careful about all aspects of building the dress, including the grain of the material, and how it will fall. They want to make sure the dresses don't look like patchwork, Cunningham added.
"It feels nice, too, because we're working for a good cause, and someone is going to appreciate it," said Lauren Zwanziger, 20.
Figlioli said she hopes to incorporate the project in future classes. Perhaps next year girls will receive fittings, she said.
"Finding age-appropriate dresses is tough," Figlioli said. "They don't want to wear their grandmother's dress. They want to look cute."
Contact Maria Giordano at 615-771-5425, mgiordano@tennessean.com, or MariaGiordano at Twitter.com.
December 13, 2011
FACES OF FRANKLIN: SCARLETT SCALES ANTIQUES
Article published by Downtown Franklin Association.
Scarlett Scales may only be 29, but she's been selling antiques for more than 18 years. Born into a family of "pickers," Scarlett ran her own booth at an antique mall in middle school and opened Scarlett Scales Antiques in the shotgun house on South Margin Street when she was a sophomore at O'More College of Design.
"Both of my parents were collectors, so I grew up around it," Scarlett says. "Early on I could recognize a good piece of antique furniture. It was natural to me."
One of the most popular stores in downtown Franklin's thriving antique district, Scarlett Scales attracts visitors from all over the southeast. The 600-square-foot building is brimming with an eclectic blend of antique and modern vintage, using every nook and cranny to fill the cozy space with unique trinkets and architectural lighting pieces. The rustic personality of the store is complemented by the 1910 structure that houses it - it's one of the only existing shotgun-style buildings in the area.
Scarlett used to bicycle by the house each week when she delivered her goods to the Country Charm Antique Mall around the corner, and she soon became friends with the tenant. When the building opened up in 2002, Scarlett was an interior design student at O'More. Though she was already swimming between class and her multiple-location booths, Scarlett grabbed the location and opened up Scarlett Scales Antiques.
To read the rest of the story, go here.
December 8, 2011
STUDENTS DESIGN HIGH-RISE UNIT FOR HIGH-PROFILE COUPLE
A Studio III interior design class, led by instructor Kim Zimmer, spent its fall semester designing a high-rise condominium that was originally two units at the ICON in the Gulch. The client-a couple of well-known players in the music industry-hoped that the class could help make the transition from a house in Brentwood to a 2,500-square-foot apartment in downtown Nashville.
"The process has been very fluid," says instructor Kim Zimmer. "Students have gotten a real world experience."
Each of the students was given an initial floor plan at the beginning of the project, and the opportunity to meet with the client. The students were given instructions about what the client wanted incorporated-from office-space to the entry way-in the new home. Certain personal pieces influenced the student's design, such as the red Murano glass chandelier the couple bought on their honeymoon in Tuscany. Students designed room layouts, created potential installations, and chose everything from the curtain fabrics to the furniture for specific rooms.
The nine students presented their work on Wednesday, Dec. 7, in front of a panel that included interior design chair David Koellein. Each student had 20 minutes to present her board, and walk the judges through the design process. At the end of the presentation, the student fielded questions from the panel about individual thought processes, and design relationships. An open discussion and critique by both the judges and the students followed each presentation. The panel instructed individual students on ways to improve-from presentation skills to rendering-and advance their work.
The students will present their work to Bristol Development and the clients. One winner will be chosen. To see more pictures of each individual's work, go here.
December 6, 2011
FASHION STUDENTS DESIGN PLUS-SIZE PROM DRESSES
Article published by News Channel 5. To see the video, go here.
by Amanda Hara
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Beth Glascock is the Fairy Godmother of Music City, collecting used prom dresses, then delivering them to needy teens. But this year, there's some dress sizes she's been hard pressed to find.
"We need sizes 18-36 and that is the group we're missing the most of," said Glascock.
Some 2,000 dresses have been donated to the Fairy Godmother Project in the past two years, but plus sized dresses were hard to come by. And since Glascock couldn't find them, she turned to someone who could make them.
Crista Allison is a senior at the O'More College of Design.
In just 15 hours, Allison and two other fashion students, took on the daring mission to create new dresses using material from old ones for Glascock's Fairy Godmother Project of Music City.
"Being able to create a prom dress that's in style and fits right and has a great cut for someone who can't find that is inspiring for us as designers," said Allison.
Even more inspiring for the Fairy Godmother herself, who now has a better chance to serve every girl who comes to her for help.
"I think to know that they get to wear a one of a kind dress that no one else in the country will have is fantastic," said Glascock
The dresses will be handed out in March. If you're interested in donating a dress, especially a plus sized dress, click on the following link: http://fairygodmotherprojectofmusiccity.com/
For more information about the O'More College of Design's participation in this cause, follow the following link: http://blog.omorecollege.edu/?p=286
November 16, 2011
ICON STUDENT DESIGN PROJECT
Article published by StyleBluePrint. To read the entire article and see photos, go here.
By Elizabeth Fox
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - What a phenomenal idea for a lucky design student: win the opportunity to design a unit at the ICON in the Gulch as part of their student project to graduate. That's exactly what happened this summer, with one exception. The presentations were so good that not one, but two students won the competition.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the ICON in the Gulch, it's the place where both Liza and I would retire if we were foot loose and fancy free (yeah, right). The ICON is located in the heart of the Gulch and is a magnet for young, single professional types who work near downtown. After work, they gather at Virago or Watermark, sip cocktails and ponder how great life is.
Lauren Bennett and Chelsea Skye- Mills won the student competition in the summer program at O'More College of Design, which is quite a feat, considering they presented their design concepts, budgets and boards to Kim Zimmer, an O'More design instructor, and the sales and marketing team at ICON.
Ashlyn Hines, co-partner with Bristol Development, the sales arm for the ICON, funded the project completely. The budget for each unit was approximately a $20,000. Each young woman was set free to flesh out her ideas. The furniture, the light fixtures, the shelving, right down to the wall installations, all represent the handiwork of Lauren and Chelsea.
The work began in September with the finale-a kickoff party- occurring on October 26.
Party-goers had the opportunity to view the 1804 and 1904 apartments and talk to Lauren and Chelsea about how each unique vision was implemented. The girls produced two completely different and totally amazing spaces that induced a major "wow" factor.
Both girls agreed that taking the project from concept to completion was much tougher than they realized. What will they do next? Good question, but both say they are better suited for the job now, after this experience.
I am sure you'll agree the end result is spectacular!
November 15, 2011
O'MORE STUDENTS DESIGN PLUS-SIZE GOWNS FOR GIRLS IN NEED
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - When The Fairy Godmother Project of Music City began in 2010, the founding women hoped to make a difference in the surrounding Nashville area. And they've done just that - the philanthropic group that provides prom dresses for high-school teens have placed smiles on hundreds of girls on their big night for the past two years. But for all the 16-year-old girls they've helped, it still hurts when they have to turn away a girl because they don't have her dress size.
The Fairy Godmother Project received more than 400 donated gowns last month, but have trouble securing dresses larger than size 18. To alleviate the shortage of plus-size prom dresses, The Fairy Godmother Project partnered with an O'More innovative fashion design course to help the non-profit dress curvier women. The nine students in the class spent three weeks taking donated dresses - some as small as a size 4- and crafting them into a 24 to 30-size garment. On Tuesday, a panel of judges gathered to determine the top three student-designed gowns that The Fairy Godmother Project would offer their girls.
"This is a very under-served size group, and it is so great to have a group of young people to create these dresses for them," says The Fairy Godmother Project co-founder and judge Laura Zimmerman.
Students prepared for the gown construction by studying color, runway and details trends, as well as looking at 2012 prom dress projections. The students took turns presenting the gowns they made, talking about their inspiration for each dress, and the details that went in to producing the garment.
"We have a lot of dresses for recycling," Zimmerman says. "What we need is that creative edge that makes it really special for these girls. This stuff has style, and that's exactly what we want."
Many students used as many as four different dresses to put together the gown, and some dresses were hand-beaded and braided. The intricate detail reflected the time each student put into his or her work for the cause.
"We were sitting in here last night, and I heard someone say, ‘It's nice to give someone their Cinderella moment,'" says student Lauren Cunningham.
The students' work was judged in three categories: quality of construction, presentation skills, and the most unique or exciting design. The judges for the competition were: class instructor Heather Figlioli, fashion design department chair Jamie Atlas, paNASH image consultant Lori Bumgarner, and two of the five The Fairy Godmother Project founders Laura Zimmerman and Beth Glascock.
At the end of the presentations, the five judges chose three winners. First place went to George Bray, second place was awarded to Krista Allison, and third place was given to Karen Kelly.
Though only three designs were chosen, both Zimmerman and Glascock say they were impressed with the student work.
"They [the dresses] make the difference between something ordinary and something extraordinary," Zimmerman says.
To view all of the dresses, and more photos of the winners, go here. To learn more about The Fairy Godmother Project of Music City, go here.
November 9, 2011
VISCOM STUDENTS RECEIVE LETTER PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Best known for their LetterPress posters for the highly successful "NASHVEGAS TM : Re-Branding Nashville" campaign, GoodWood Press uses ancient techniques to create one-of-a-kind materials. Former Nashvillian George Good Wood PressHamilton moved GoodWood Press to historic Franklin after spending three years in Paris, France. Hamilton and business associates Tom Comer and David Braud gave letter press demonstrations to two VisCom courses Wednesday, Nov.9, and related personal experiences within the profession.
GoodWood Press prints on five vintage cylinder presses, and a Chandler & Price "Old Style" press circa late 1800s. The company uses antique wood and metal type, along with carved block art, to create unique and distinct print media. Students were given a chance to get hands-on experience with letter press printing, and made their own O'More posters. To see more photos of GoodWood work, and students printing their own materials, go here.
October 31, 2011
O'MORE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL CHARITY TO PROVIDE PROM DRESSES
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - An O'More College of Design course and non-profit The Fairy Godmother Project of Music City are partnering together to create plus-size prom dresses for teens in need in the surrounding Nashville area.
The Fairy Godmother Project is a philanthropic group that provides prom dresses for high-school girls who need a gown for the special night. What began as a 2010 New Year's Resolution between five friends has evolved into a successful organization committed to making a difference in the Nashville-area community. The Fairy Godmother's first project helped more than 100 girls find a dress in spring 2010.
O'More chose an innovative fashion design course to help the non-profit with its need to dress curvier women. The Fairy Godmother Project received more than 400 donated gowns last month, but have trouble securing dresses larger than size 18. The organization is currently attempting to raise $10,000 to make sure no girl is turned away because of dress size.
"We want to see innovation within their designs," instructor Heather Figlioli says of her students' work. "We're really excited about this project."
The O'More design students will be relieving the shortage of plus-size gowns by taking a donated dress (some as small as a size 4) and crafting them into a 24 to 30-size garment. They have three weeks to complete the design. Figlioli will select the top three dresses to give to The Fairy Godmother.
"How do you make them feel beautiful?" Figlioli told students. "That's what we're looking for."
Figlioli encouraged her students to not only study current prom trends, but to also integrate unique tactics into the transformation. This will include re-purposed zippers, re-beading, appliques, combining patterns and dresses, and more. Figlioli says the dresses will be judged on quality of construction and creativity incorporated.
Founded in 1970 and located in the downtown historic district of Franklin, Tenn., O'More College of Design offers bachelor of fine arts degrees in fashion design, interior design and visual communications.
To learn more about The Fairy Godmother Project, go to www.fairygodmotherprojectofmusiccity.com or call 615-428-5696.
October 26, 2011
O'MORE STUDENTS DESIGN TWO HIGH-RISE MODEL UNITS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Four months ago, Lauren Bennett and Chelsea Skye Mills presented inspiration boards to O'More interior design instructor Kim Zimmer and Bristol Development for a chance to design an ICON in the Gulch unit. Fast forward to Oct. 26, when smartly dressed men and women wandered through rooms the girls created, sipping champagne and marveling at chic decor and inspired installations.
The high-rise condominium's reveal party showcased the two students' work, a result of a competition that O'More, Bristol Development, and ICON teamed up to offer. Six interior design students spent the sweltering months during a summer course designing potential spaces. Though the original guidelines allowed for one winner, both Lauren and Chelsea were chosen to build out their own model units.
"Only one student was to be chosen," Bristol Development co-founder Ashlyn Hines said at the party. "But the work was so impressive, we had to offer the opportunity to Lauren and Chelsea."
Both girls were given a budget to work with, and then set free to flesh out their ideas. The furniture, the light fixtures, the shelving - right down to the wall installations - all represent the handiwork of Lauren and Chelsea.
Party-goers had the opportunity to view the 1804 and 1904 apartments, and to talk to Lauren and Chelsea about how each unique vision was implemented. The girls produced two completely different, and totally amazing, spaces that induced a major "wow" factor.
For many more pictures from the event, visit our Facebook Page. Additional pictures and news from this event are coming soon - so stay tuned.
To inquire about purchase of the units, call Ashlyn Hines of Bristol Development at 615-369-9009.
October 26, 2011
INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT ONE OF NINE AWARDED NATIONAL GRANT
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - O'More College of Design student Lena Graves was awarded a $1,000 grant by The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) through its 2011 Student Aid Program.
Created in 2009, the PAVE grant program supports students with the intent of providing for basic needs, including food, housing, books, tuition, health insurance and more. Graves was one of nine students in the country who were awarded the scholarship.
Graves, a sophomore interior design major, discovered the scholarship through the O'More Facebook Page.
"Students are so busy, it's hard for us to find things on our own," Graves says. "O'More really helped me out. Most of the leg work was already done for me."
Graves was required to submit an application, a letter explaining her need for aid and how she would use the money, a transcript and a letter from an educator or academic advisor. Interior Design Department Chair David Koellein wrote the recommendation for Graves.
"He wrote a great letter for me," Graves says. "And I wouldn't have been able to get the application done at all without (administrative assistant) Lexi Nash."
The $12,000 in grants was distributed to nine schools across North America. For the first time in the history of the grant program, an additional two awards were provided to students through direct donations to the program by individual donors.
"This is one of the programs PAVE supports to ensure that the retail industry has talented designers for the future," says Denny Gerdeman, PAVE President and CEO of Chute Gerdeman. "All of the PAVE board members thank the retail environments community for their generosity and support. This is the mission of PAVE."
October 25, 2011
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR BECOMES ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Image consultant and best-selling author Lori Bumgarner has joined the ranks at O'More College of Design as this semester's Artist-in-Residence.
Bumgarner is owner of paNASH Style, LLC, a company specializing in image, interview and media consulting, as well as wardrobe styling. She is also the author of Advance Your Image, a #1 Amazon second-edition release by O'More Publishing.
"We're fortunate to have Lori's professional expertise on campus," Mark Hilliard. "We place great emphasis on preparing students for their careers, and learning doesn't begin and end with traditional textbooks. Lori's background is a great complement to the formal design and liberal arts education offered at O'More."
Bumgarner has worked in higher education for 10 years, most recently as a career counselor at Vanderbilt University. She began developing paNASH Style in 2007, but it wasn't until 2008 that she concentrated on growing her company full-time.
She's applying her past experience in new ways with paNASH Style - from helping fledgling artists prepare for label meetings to teaching up-and-coming professionals how to optimize networking opportunities. Bumgarner's clients include Washington Wizards forward Chris Singleton and Grammy award-winner Lynn Anderson, as well as corporate clients such as ATP Records and Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute.
Bumgarner's second-edition Advance Your Image, published in June 2011, instructs readers on how best to refine one's image, including online presence, wardrobe styling and networking skills, among other aspects.
"I connected the dots between the general public and my niche market," Bumgarner says. "This book is perfect for recording artists, job seekers, college grads, entrepreneurs and anyone wanting to enhance their image."
Since the launch of its second edition, Advance Your Image has been used as a textbook and classroom supplement at colleges in Tennessee and North Carolina. Bumgarner has continued to keep her hand in higher education throughout her career, giving presentations and working with colleges and universities on various initiatives. She says it's important to her to provide O'More students with her professional perspective, shaped by her own experiences.
"College students have to be able to pinpoint what makes them unique from all the other job candidates," Bumgarner says. "I want to teach them how to do this without comparing themselves to others."
When she decided to pursue paNASH Style full-time, Bumgarner realized she was putting to practice the counsel she had been giving her former students. Now she hopes her anecdotes will be valuable to the O'More community.
Bumgarner also plans to work with students on mastering the interview process and incorporating constructive criticism - something she says O'More has a head start on due to the structure of their teaching methodologies.
"O'More teachers know these students and can point out individual strengths and weaknesses," Bumgarner says. "This is important, because students need to show that they can take criticism and be adaptable."
Founded in 1970 and located in the downtown historic district of Franklin, Tenn., O'More College of Design offers bachelor of fine arts degrees in fashion design, interior design and visual communications.
For more information on Lori Bumgarner and paNASH Style, visit www.panashstyle.com.
October 19, 2011
O'MORE DESIGN STUDENT BECOMES SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
FRANKLIN, Tenn.- Tara Curvin isn't your typical 20-something student. Between earning credits towards her fashion design degree at O'More College of Design and holding down a part-time job at Bleacher's Sports Grill, she's already busy. But on Aug. 1st, Curvin tacked on another plate to spin-small business owner.
In the same month that O'More began fall classes and Curvin scored a 25-hour a week job as a server, the Franklin native propped open the doors of B.R. Star Boutique in Chapel Hill, Tenn.
"It was hard to find a job," Curvin says. "So I thought, why not create my own."
With a slogan of "Hollywood has its stars, so come B.R. Star," the store carries a little bit of everything in every style, from hair accessories to jewelry to clothes appropriate for all ages. It even has a small consignment section.
Curvin and her mother, Patty, came across the empty space in late July and got the clothing store running two weeks later, an amazing feat in itself. She credits it as a family affair: Patty footed the boutique's start-up costs, and her family and friends all chipped in.
The 21-year-old entrepreneur, who will graduate from O'More in December 2012, hopes to eventually use her degree to turn B.R. Star Boutique into a design store, where all the merchandise would be her own creations.
"O'More definitely has laid the groundwork for this," Curvin says. "I wouldn't have been starting this business if it wasn't for coming here. There's a lot more to it than just the fashion side."
Curvin transferred to O'More after her freshman year at Buffalo State in Buffalo, N.Y.
She couldn't take the weather, or the detachment the fashion department had with its students. At O'More, she says it's different. Dr. Mark Hilliard, president of O'More, attended the store's Sept. 1st grand opening. And Jamie Atlas, the fashion design department chair, has offered to guide Curvin on the marketing side of things.
"The college has really helped me out," Curvin says. "When you're paying a lot for your education, you want to get a lot out of it."
All of her hard work hasn't been without trial and tribulation. Curvin's mother, whom she lives with, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Curvin also underwent surgery the same week her store opened, a result of a car accident last year. And despite other minor setbacks, like having no idea what a federal Employer Identification Number was, she remains optimistic about the store, and her future.
"I know I'm going to make it work," Curvin says. "It's just determination. Everything is a learning process."
Visit B.R. Star at their location on 5230 Nashville Hwy in Chapel Hill, TN 37034.
October 4, 2011
O'MORE FASHION DESIGN STUDENTS FIND HISTORICAL INSPIRATION
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Students in an Innovative Design course were told to create a garment or accessory inspired from a historical or cultural event, person or movement. The designers were given two class periods to complete their looks.Assignments in this course are often completed in one to two class periods. Instructor Heather Figlioli says she hopes this helps the class learn to use its first instinct as inspiration.
"These projects are teaching them to go on gut," Figlioli says.
Students pulled from political movements, musical influences, films and more to create the pieces. Influences ranged from the Italian Renaissance to Studio 54 to famed femme fatale, "Blood Countess" Elizabeth Bathory. Students presented the work in class with a brief explanation of how the garment or accessory related to the topic.
Figlioli will select certain students' projects to display for Friday's Franklin Art Scene.
September 30, 2011
O'MORE STUDENTS LEAD DESIGN FOR NEW HABITAT ReSTORE
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - A group of interior design students from O'More College of Design is helping local Habitat for Humanity leaders shape creative concepts around the Williamson County Habitat ReStore's future Columbia Avenue location.
Members of the O'More student chapters of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) gathered recently at the College's interior design studios in The Factory to spearhead a design charrette, an intensive brainstorm that generated several ideas to be refined into more solid concepts. The end result will be a complete package of design plans presented to the committee in charge of overseeing the shop's move.
"It's very exciting to see design students involved on this level," says Susan Besser, a member of the ReStore committee. "They will have a tremendous impact on the final store concept."
The Habitat ReStore is opening its downtown Franklin doors in the spring of 2012, in a significantly larger space than its curr
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