Kansas State University

Little Black Dress event draws elegance

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Little Black Dress GalleryThe Little Black Dress – on the Red Carpet raised more than $9,000 for the Historic Costume and Textile Museum. Nearly $3,000 came from the silent auction where high bidders took home handcrafted jewelry and wearable art donated by faculty and friends.

Nearly 250 stunningly garbed supporters attended the winter gala at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, toe tapping to the Kansas Jazz Combo featuring Wayne Goins and sipping Little Black Dress wine. They browsed through the exhibit of black dresses worn by notables such as Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and actress Felicity Huffman. Others on display were created by Halston, Versace, Trigere, Montana and Ungaro.

“The primary goal was to heighten interest in the collection and exhibit,” said Jana Hawley, head of the Department of Apparel, Textiles and Interior Design. The museum is part of ATID.

Guest Rose Gruenbacher toured the exhibit at the Beach Museum of Art.

Guest Rose Gruenbacher toured the exhibit at the Beach Museum of Art.

Dress design winners

ATID student Kayle Kenton greeted guests.

ATID student Kayle Kenton greeted guests.

Little Black Dress Design winner, in the professional category, was “Black Magic” by Carolyn Schactler, Central Washington University, Ellensburg. Awards of distinction went to “Textural Study in Black” by Diane Sparks, Colorado State University, and “Accent on Indigo” by Sherry Haar, K-State.

“Moon River” by Zoe Waggoner, K-State senior, won the student competition. Also placing were “Young, Hip and Classic” by Sylvia Cox, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and “Dundee” by Kate Nichols, K-State junior. Honorable mention student awardees from K-State were graduate student Wendy Barnes for “Revealing Shadows” and Juan Carlos Garcia, senior, for “Soft and Chic.”

Assistant professor Diana Sindicich won an honorable mention in the professional category  for “Comfortable Elegance.”

Designs were displayed in the Vanier Gallery.

Gala honors Mary Don Peterson

During the welcome, Jana Hawley, ATID department head, recited the history of The Little Black Dress.

During the welcome, Jana Hawley, ATID department head, recited the history of The Little Black Dress.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the collection, was dedicated to the late Mary Don Peterson who headed ATID from 1977 to 1992.

In introductory remarks, Hawley gave special appreciation to:

  • Little Black Dress Committee co-chairs Nancy Prawl and Carole Chelz
  • Sarah Heidebrect, graduate student
  • Chassy Nichols and Gina Jackson in the ATID office and the staff at the Beach Museum

She also congratulated Marla Day, senior curator; Joycelyn Falsken, assistant professor who organized the competition, and student assistants Brantlee Shearmire and Kristin Whiteside on jobs well done.

Joy Kozar, assistant professor, poured Little Black Dress wines.

Joy Kozar, assistant professor, poured Little Black Dress wines.

Close to 250 guests sampled the appetizer buffet decorated, like the tables, with red roses.

Close to 250 guests sampled the appetizer buffet decorated, like the tables, with red roses.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 and is filed under ATID, Dean's Blog.