Graduating students from Nassau Community College’s apparel design program recently displayed the culmination of their studies during an exhibition where Andrea M. Ortiz was chosen as the winner of a cash scholarship.
The program is currently celebrating its 20th year. In previous years, the graduating students showed off their designs in a fashion show.
However, this year the student had to create displays to showcase their clothing during the Apparel Design Static Fashion and Art Exhibit, which was held from December 8 to December 10.
“Equipped with a particular theme and category in mind, requirements for this project included the design, pattern creation, draping and sewing of a line of four garments with at least one accessory,” apparel design professor Heidi O’Connell explained. “Students were also responsible for using their personal themes to create the displays exhibiting their garments.”
Eight students participated in the exhibit. They were Ortiz, Anna Gormadski, Fran Hamilton, Ashley Kadet, Emily Kizner, Ajahri Seda, Alicja Stankiewcz and Elizabeth Walter.
Members of the apparel design faculty reviewed the exhibits and voted on a scholarship winner based on their creativity, consistency, cohesiveness, the quality of the construction of their garments and the appropriateness for the market of their theme.
O’Connell, who was one of the judges, said that it was not a tough decision to select Ortiz as the winner of the $300 scholarship.
“We were very much in agreement of who the winner would be,” she said.
Of her win, the Long Island resident Ortiz said, “It was exciting. I never expected it.”
The theme of Ortiz’s collection was the “forbidden apple,” which, in her designer statement, she described as being “the most craved, tasteful and unforgotten piece of nature” and “the essence of beauty and life.”
While attached church as a child, Ortiz heard Bible stories, including the one about Adam and Eve and the forbidden apple. She said that she always liked the story and that this was a great opportunity to use the concept while creating her garments.
Ortiz made her garments out of silk, chiffon, satin, lace and crystals. The crystals were used as an embellishment to give the clothes “their luxurious and desired attention.” Ortiz used a green-gray mixture that she combined with black.
“Their divine colors are soft and deep, which gives them a mysterious but sexy appeal,” Ortiz wrote. “This is my collection, AMO, which is the definition of love in Spanish. These are also my initials.”
O’Connell said that all of Ortiz’s pieces were “very meticulously done.” She also said that Ortiz used very complicated materials.
“She did more than what was actually required, and each of the garments was actually really exquisite,” O’Connell said.
A self-described perfectionist, Ortiz said she spent a lot of time redoing things in order to make sure every detail was perfect, adding that she “never expected it [the final product] to look that good.”
“I guess I’m more than proud,” she said of what she accomplished.
Along with working hard as a student and on her collection, O’Connell said that Ortiz also works hard in all aspects of her life.
“I think she’ll be very successful,” O’Connell predicted. “She’s a good hearted person who I think will be very successful in whatever direction her career takes her.”
Ortiz is planning on attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. She hopes to some day be an entrepreneur with her own business, and wants to mostly create wedding gowns.
O’Connell said that she found it very exciting to see the final products of the students, particularly since she said they were very private in their planning for the exhibition.
“I really think the students did a fabulous job,” O’Connell said.
