Otis College of Art and Design will unveil a collection of Maggie Sottero wedding dresses re-imagined by Fashion Design students at its annual fashion show on May 10, 2024 on its Los Angeles campus.
The show is free and open to the public and features final projects by students under the direction of renowned industry mentors, and is anticipated as a highlight of the College’s O-Launch exhibition weekend.
Maggie Sottero is a 2023-2024 mentor in the undergraduate Fashion Design program, which pairs students with esteemed industry professionals who work closely with students from the initial creative brief to finished garments. Other mentors this year include Mike Amiri, Revolve, J. Crew, and Marcus Clayton.
Maggie Sottero’s mentor project in particular was centered on sustainability, a core value the bridal company shares with Otis College.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to take part as mentors this year,” says Kelly Midgley, CEO and Creative Director of Maggie Sottero. “Witnessing these talented students breathe new life into discontinued designs, transforming them into something remarkably fresh and innovative, has been truly inspiring. Their commitment to the theme of upcycling is both commendable and exciting. We can hardly wait to see the culmination of their efforts showcased at the upcoming fashion show.”
Maggie Sottero will exhibit select pieces from the project at their upcoming exclusive, private show in their home city of Salt Lake City, Utah, where they will launch their spring 2025 collections. The students’ work will be featured to retailers from around the world as part of the brand’s customer experience and engagement of Maggie Sottero’s future-facing efforts in sustainable design.
Midgley, along with Designer and Sustainability Director Patricia DeLaunay (an Otis College ’04 BFA Fashion Design alumna) and Lead Designer Edric Woo, personally worked with Otis College Fashion Design students through sketch selection and several fittings with models. Senior students recreated stock wedding dresses into modern and new gowns by reimagining shape, proportion, and fabric remnants. Juniors upcycled stock gowns so that they can be worn for the wedding day and beyond. Both projects upend the typical, though unsustainable, outcome of a bridal gown being used for only the wedding day.
“This initiative has not only showcased the incredible talent of our students, but also reinforced the importance of sustainability in fashion,” says Jill Zeleznik, Chair of Fashion Design at Otis College. “Transforming these gowns into innovative, modern pieces has opened a new realm of creative possibilities. Our juniors and seniors honed their design skills while deepening their appreciation for sustainable practices in fashion. The experience has undoubtedly enriched the students’ educational journey, leaving a lasting impact on their perspectives and future endeavors in fashion.”