GM And IADT Fuel Student Fashion Show With Clothing Designs Inspired By Today's Hottest Vehicles

The International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) Welcomes General Motors (GM) as Title Sponsor for Second Consecutive Year at the May 20 "IMAGINE 2004" Event

CHICAGO March 24, 2004; Students of the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) in Chicago are revving up for this year's annual "IMAGINE 2004" fashion show. Now in its 25th year, this student-run event puts promising young designers in the driver's seat by showcasing their fashions at Chicago's Union Station (Great Hall) at 8:00 p.m. on May 20, 2004. General Motors' (GM) North Central Region is bringing new energy to IMAGINE for the second consecutive year as the show's title sponsor. GM is also teaming up with IADT to host a unique competition that awards fashion students who design garments inspired by some of GM's hottest models.

Exclusive to IADT, this special GM contest has sparked overwhelming enthusiasm from the Academy's fashion design students. Over 75 student designs for the GM competition were received, based on five of GM'S vehicles including the new Pontiac GTO, Cadillac XLR, Chevrolet SSR, Buick LaCrosse and the HUMMER H3T concept. The competition winners, chosen by a panel of experts in automotive design, marketing and fashion, will receive a $500 monetary scholarship from GM and a $100 gift certificate from an industry wholesale source. Their fully constructed garments will be revealed at IMAGINE 2004, where GM vehicles and designs from all of IADT's fashion students participating in IMAGINE will also be on display. The fusion of fashion models and car models will super-charge this year's event, demonstrating how both industries can unite.

Tickets to IMAGINE are $40 for general admission and $60 for the VIP reception plus IMAGINE event. Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-582-8119.

GM Pumps Up Style Makers at the Chicago Auto Show The GM fashion design competition kicked-off on the opening day of the Chicago Auto Show, February 6th, 2004. Clay Dean, design director of the HUMMER H3T concept vehicle, briefed IADT students on the H3T's design elements and the relationship between the automotive and fashion industries.

"Automotive and fashion designers look to similar trends for inspiration such as color, shape and technology," said Dean. "The purpose of GM's involvement with IMAGINE is to highlight these similarities and inspire future style makers through a unique design competition."

GM will also host the IMAGINE Jury Show on April 22, 2003, where a panel of top fashion industry executives will decide which student designs appear in the IMAGINE 2004 show.

"We are thrilled to welcome back GM as this year's IMAGINE title sponsor." Kathy Embry, IADT's Program Director, Fashion Design, said. "This year's competition is a great opportunity for students to combine fashion with modern technology and teach students how to take inspiration from an object, rather than from an historical period or target market."

IMAGINE 2004 Unites Students Across All IADT Programs IMAGINE 2004 brings together student works from all IADT design and technology programs, including: original women's and men's clothing collections by IADT's fashion design students; logo, poster, program and photographs by advertising and design/computer graphics students; computer, audio and 3D animation by multimedia and design students; technical support by PC/LAN and eCommerce students; set design by interior design students; and show production by merchandise management students.

About General Motors General Motors builds "gotta have" products with innovative designs, the best powertrains, superb quality, and relevant technology. GM, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds, and markets cars and trucks worldwide and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. With a regional office located in Naperville, Ill., GM is able to reach out to the greater Chicago area with products, services and community involvement. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

About the International Academy of Design and Technology Located at One North State Street, IADT-Chicago is an accredited, four-year college that offers bachelor's and associate's degrees in a variety of disciplines based on a strong heritage in fashion and an expanding emphasis on high technology education.