BIG OPENING NIGHT AT FIDM

"This is the place to be in Los Angeles tonight!" was the phrase on everyone's lips on a recent Saturday night at FIDM, where Emmy nominees, Costume Designers, and Entertainment industry insiders celebrated the opening of "The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design." This first-ever exhibition of 40 years of television costumes was presented jointly by FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The reception also celebrated the scholarship to FIDM presented by Mercedes-Benz DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Design Awards LA. Fashion Designer and FIDM Grad Kevan Hall, the "Mercedes Benz Presents" Designer for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios and Designer of Red Carpet looks for Charlize Theron, Salma Hayek, and Mariah Carey, was at the party and met scholarship winner Bopha Sar. Bopha, who won both the scholarship to FIDM and a mentorship with Hall, was invited to attend the celebrity-studded opening night as a part of being chosen the Winner.

The two giant Emmy statuettes at the entrance to the Red Carpet were no strangers to Emmy-winning FIDM Grads Wendy Benbrook and Wanda Leavey (MADtv), seven-time Emmy winner Bob Mackie (nominated 19 times!), and Dynasty costumer Nolan Miller. Industry veterans Mackie and Miller are both longtime members of FIDM's Advisory Board. They were joined at the event by Emmy nominated Costume Designers from Everybody Loves Chris and Desperate Housewives, and Everybody Loves Raymond actress Doris Roberts.

The party ended that night with a silent auction of Fender guitars customized by celebrities such as music diva Gwen Stefani, guitar demon Slash, songstress Mya, and pro skater Tony Hawk to benefit the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Design Awards LA Scholarship Fund.