Threads Fashion Gala a Huge Success

San Francisco, May 13, 2005

The suggested attire was fashionista and 475 guests came duly clad for an evening of food, fashion, and feeling good. Threads, the inaugural fashion and fundraising gala on April 28, exceeded all expectations by bringing in $245,000 in support of CCA's scholarship program.

Guests began filling the vast Herbst Pavilion at 6:00 p.m. to enjoy cocktails and conversation, followed by a delectable dinner prepared by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. But the centerpiece of the evening was the runway fashion show, which featured original designs from the collections of ten up-and-coming designers, selected from the graduating class of 2005 by a jury of CCA faculty and industry professionals. With music thundering and lights flashing, professional models sauntered their way down the eighty-foot runway, eliciting spontaneous bursts of applause. The production quality was high and the show came off without a hitch, thanks to the tremendous efforts of CCA's Fashion Design faculty and students. Following the show, several guests were seen scribbling down contact information for the young designers—perhaps a commission for next year's gala?

Threads co-chairs Kimberly Blattner and Anne Robinson Woods accepted the challenge of creating the college's first fundraising gala in seven years and turned it into CCA's most successful event to date. The college is grateful to them for their vision, leadership, and hard work. Special thanks also are in order to the members of the committee and the honorary committee.

California College of the Arts is pleased to thank Osterweis Capital Management, lead sponsor of Threads. Special thanks to our Haute Couture Patrons, Diane Christensen and Jean Pierret, Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein and Anita and Ronald Wornick, and our Nouvelle Couture Patrons, Kimberly and Simon Blattner, Tom and Jan Boyce, Tecoah and Thomas Bruce, E. J. De La Rosa & Co., Inc., Lois Gordon and Robin Strawbridge, Mary Green, Leigh Hudson, Eve and Harvey Masonek, Tony and Celeste Meier, Lorna F. Meyer and Dennis Calas, Timothy Mott, Steven and Nancy Oliver, David and Mary Robinson, Karen and Ronald Rose, Michael S. Roth and Kari Weil, Dorothy and George Saxe, Phil Schlein, Barclay and Sharon Simpson, Alan and Ruth Stein, Judy and Bill Timken, Kay and Frank Woods, and Mary and Harold Zlot. In addition, CCA would like to thank in-kind donors Annieglass and Robert Mondavi Family of Wines and our media sponsor, Surface Magazine.