Rules Take Back Seat to Vision at IMAGINE 2005

International Academy of Design & Technology Fashion Show Sponsored by General Motors

CHICAGO - It's been called the fashion show of "what if" - a place where old rules give way to youthful vision, passion and, of course, imagination. IMAGINE 2005, the International Academy of Design and Technology's 26th annual student fashion show, sponsored by General Motors' North Central Region, is set for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 19, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago. As always, the show promises some of the season's most innovative and memorable fashion moments.

Limited only by the extent of their own creativity and an academic standard of solid concept and meticulous execution, International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) students will showcase original designs that not only capture the imagination, but also the approval of top fashion industry professionals responsible for selecting the garments for the juried show. This year's show will feature the music of XM Radio deejay Luis Baro.

Among the highlights of IMAGINE 2005, an exclusive General Motors (GM)-sponsored competition challenged student designers to create garments inspired by some of GM's hottest cars. Close to 100 student submissions were received, based on vehicles including the new Saturn Sky, Pontiac G6 Coupe, Chevrolet Cobalt Supercharged SS, Cadillac CTS-V and "mini" Hummer H3. Five selected winners will receive monetary scholarships from GM, along with the chance to unveil their creations as part of IMAGINE. During the show, the GM Design Competition winners will have the added honor of being introduced by a man the New York Times recently credited as "one of North America's leading arbiters of color" - 28-year-old British designer Christopher Webb, a former fashion student himself, now General Motor's manager of color trends in North America.

IMAGINE is a uniquely student-produced event, with involvement going well beyond IADT's fashion design majors. IADT advertising and design/computer graphics students created the logo, poster, invitations and program for the event. Computer/3D animation and audio for the show is being produced by the school's multimedia and design students, technical support by PC/LAN students, set design by interior design students, and show production support by merchandise management majors.

For additional information about IMAGINE 2005, call (312) 980-9252. Advance tickets are required, as tickets will not be sold at the door.