California State University of Long Beach held their 24th Annual Campus Couture Fashion Show on Thursday, May 9, 2012 in the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. Every year the junior and senior fashion design students showcase their designs and is produced by the CSULB Fashion Merchandising Promotion & Sales classes. With the success of their event, it was obvious they put blood, sweat, and tears into it.

Lisa and I attended this show for the first time, anxious to see what the outcome is. Right in front of the Carpenter Center entrance, guests were invited to have their pictures taken at the photo booth provided by, Socialbliss.

I have to admit, I was thoroughly impressed with the turnout of the event. Saying it was a full house is an understatement. The Carpenter Center seats were filled with an audience of excited friends, families, a few bloggers (like ourselves) and obsessed fashionistas. I always like to think that the future of any industry lies in the students on college campuses.

After waiting excitedly for the show to begin, finally we were greeted by  the hosts of the show: Emma Hancock, Cheryl Mounts, Michelle Rahim, and Aida Trugilo; all of whom were wearing dresses designed by some of the students themselves.

The show was broken up into four segments:

-Computerized Apparel Flat Pattern

-“Rising Stars” Introduction to Apparel

-Junior Designers, Intermediate Apparel Flat Pattern

-Senior Collections

The glammed up models definitely set the tone of the show right from the get go. The first collection was titled, “The Addams Family Meets High Fashion.” It was very mod and chic. With a total of 22 senior designers, unfortunately, it’d be too tedious for me to write in detail every single design, so the photos should illustrate a vision for you to capture a glimpse of what we saw at the event.

A common trend for most of the designs included the sheer, hi-low skirt, which is short in the front and long in the back. I never did imagine how it would look on me, but I always thought it was really cute on other women. Maybe, I’ll give that a shot the next time I’m trying clothes on. I have to mention a new friend, Jacqlene Corbin, also known as Jacqlene Monet, for her full of personality models and amazing 1950’s vintage inspired collection.

I also would like to recognize a 3x award winner for that night, Vivian Chan. Not only did her line impress me a lot, her biography positively stunned me when they introduced her awards. Her collection consisted of a nude colored motif, all her models heels felt very “Lady Gaga-ish,” and the cuts of each dress and outfit, was intricately and brilliantly put together.Some of the awards she won are the award for Outstanding Textiles and Clothing and Best Collection. She has her own clothing line (www.vivianchandesigns.com), and interned in London and Paris.I’m sure she has more amazing stats, just like the other award winners like Basil Malicsi (who won a couple), Andrea Medina, Rocio Rivas, and Brenda Gonsalez (just to name a few).

All in all, the designers did an amazing job and the models beautifully strutted their stuff with attitude and confidence. Even though I didn’t know most of the women personally, I felt very proud of the outcome and after they gave out awards, I know that all these women definitely have a bright and successful future ahead of them. Thank you to all the hardworking student designers, production team, and CSULB for allowing Lipstick, Lace, and Lattes to attend and cover the event.

Til our next fashion show event toodles,