This past summer the Center for Learning and Leadership welcomed summer interns who come from APS’ 21st Century Atlanta Scholar Program. Our own communications office has had the benefit of two interns in particular, and would love to show off some of their work this week. First off we’d like to tell you a little bit about Lyntoria Newton, a graduate of Carver’s School of the Arts. As part of her studies at Hampshire College in film production, Newton worked with the APS Media Production team of Scott King and Armon Moore to enhance her skill set.
Kudos to Grady High School students Jhari V. Ponder and Claire Buyens, who will present their work at the National Black Arts Festival’s Fine Art + Fashion event on Thursday (Feb. 25) at the AmericasMart’s Building 2 West Wing. The students, who work with UrbanCouture teacher Vincent Martinez, were interviewed on WSB-TV’s “People2People.” Here’s the video clip of that segment, which also features an interview with part-time Atlantan, former soap-opera star and foster-care advocate Victoria Rowell, who will serve as celebrity hostess for the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
And for old time’s sake, you can check out the photo gallery from the recent “Doggies on the Catwalk” event at Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Well-dressed pups and their adoring owners received plenty of applause during the third-annual “Doggies on the Catwalk” fashion show Friday at the Georgia Public Broadcasting studio. But the biggest fanfare was reserved for students of the UrbanCouture fashion design program and their founder, teacher Vincent Martinez.
“Each year the show gets bigger and bigger,” he told the crowd assembled in the broadcast studio. “This year we set the bar and then flew right over it!”
Students created trench coats, party dresses, slacks and sweaters for celebrities such as radio personality Frank Ski, CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano and actress Catherine Dyer. Pooches also got into the act with student-designed headbands, pantsuits and dresses. Each year, the proceeds go to PALS Atlanta, a non-profit organization that provides vet care for the pets of elderly and terminally ill Atlantans.
Check out this cool video, a Fox5 segment on Saturday’s “Doggies on the Catwalk” program. Gotta love Grady High teacher/UrbanCouture director Vincent Martinez and Atlanta fashion designer/”Project Runway” finalist Mychael Knight‘s appearance here. We’re also excited that Georgia Public Broadcasting will not only be hosting Saturday’s show but will be filming an hour-long documentary about this amazing project Martinez. But many thanks to Fox5 for helping get the word out!
Fur is literally flying on the campus of Grady High School this week as UrbanCouture founder and teacher Vincent Martinez helps his senior design students prepare for the Jan. 15 “Doggies on the Catwalk” fashion fund-raiser. While this annual event places Atlanta celebrities and their pooches on the catwalk in student-designed ensembles, making it a perennial favorite among local pet lovers and fashionistas alike. But this year’s production will be even bigger than before, thanks to Georgia Public Broadcasting, which will host the show and air a one-hour documentary on the student production later this month.
UPDATE: Vincent Martinez has passed along the amazing news that Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) has offered to host Grady’s annual “Doggies on the Catwalk” event, in GPB’s Midtown studios, at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2010. On top of that, GPB plans to feature the Grady fashion program’s top designers in an hour-long documentary leading up to and including the event itself – complete with red carpet and catering! “The show will as inclusive of Grady arts programs as possible, as the music, fine arts and technical-production programs will all have roles. This is very exciting!”
Each year, Grady High School’s UrbanCouture design program gains popularity and recognition among local fashionistas. The most popular event by far is the “Doggies on the Catwalk” fund-raiser that allow celebs to strut down the runway in student-designed ensembles.
UrbanCouture founder, educator and fashion guru E. Vincent Martinez has once again rallied the Atlanta community to support his students. Mark your calendars, because the Class of 2010 is ready to debut signature outfits during tonight’s runway show at Wimbush Mansion, with sponsorship from the Atlanta Woman’s Club. Don’t miss the action. Don’t forget to check here for photos of the collection!
Savanna Sweeney, a senior in Grady's UrbanCouture design program, refines the outfit she created for student Sarah Darrow.
The Challenge: Create an outfit that captures a classmate/client’s style while preserving the designer’s aesthetic.
The Cast: Taylor Alford, Lakisha Beauford, Claire Buyens, Sarah Collins, Sarah Darrow, Kelsi Eccles, Maia Miller, Jhari Ponder, Jennifer Ramirez, Destiny Rhone, Shelby Rudd, Savanna Sweeney and Brenae Wright — senior design students in the UrbanCouture design program at Grady High.
The Results: Well, you’ll just have to wait and see! The Fashion Challenge will debut, 7-9 p.m. at Wimbush Mansion, 1150 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309.
For a look at some of the UrbanCouture program’s work, check out this awesome photo gallery here.