MassArt gala makes a fashion statement - Boston Herald

As an instructor of Trend Forecasting at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, I couldn’t have been more thrilled to see this year’s batch of style stars send their work down the runway Saturday night at MassArt’s 2014 Fashion Show at Park Plaza Castle.

A select group of gala-going givers were invited to a pre-show dinner — which raised about $123,000 in scholarship funds — designed by event consultant Karen DeTemple and Party by Design.

Dining divas of note: designer David Josef, event co-chair and former CBC royal correspondent Ciara Hunt, yogis Betty and Ali Riaz, Portobello Road owner Kristina Lyons, MFA Fashion Council President Nancy Adams, media maven Susan Wornick, wealth manager Tom Mitchell and the always stylish Laura Baldini — in 7-inch, sky-high studded bronze Loubies. Spectacular.

The event decor — inspired by South American street artist Stinkfish — outdid the food, as we were fed tiny portions of cold fish followed by a pink-colored chocolate “dessert” in the form of lipstick. A guest joked, “Please sir, can we have some more?” Well, in all fairness it was a fashion-themed event, so perhaps they wanted us to empathize with true runway models?

“Dinner” was followed by the spectacular student show, which got off to a very late start.

There were too many incredible looks to mention, but designers who really caught my attention include: Stefanie Liddi, Marsha Titova, Benjamin Sundin, Nicole Kepron, Lindsay Hills, Elizabeth St. Germain, Erika Williams and Chelsea Silverman.

Attendee style standouts:

• Interior design stager Samantha Strauss in red Dolce Vita wide-legged pants, black Armani bodysuit, her grandmother’s vintage beaded jacket, Kathryn Amberleigh shoes and blue Chanel bag she swiped from her mom’s closet.

• Fox 25 News anchor Sara Underwood in a floral Clover Canyon dress and Celine sandals.

• MassArt student Marissa Birschbach in a pink dress from Top Shop and Prada pumps.

Note to the wonderful people at MassArt: The show was tooooo loooong — over 2 hours — and many VIPs snuck out before the senior collections even began, leaving front rows almost completely empty. #sad.

Lesson learned: Fashion is alive and well in the Bay State — take that, GQ.

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