Misty Gross Takes First Place in Fashion Design Competition

Misty Gross of Garden Grove was recently named The Art Institute of California – Orange County first place winner in The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition in the Fashion Design category.

The Garden Grove High School senior earned a $3,000 scholarship to study Fashion Design at The Art Institute of California – Orange County.

The theme of this year’s Fashion Design category is evening wear. Gross created a dress that combined a classic patterned fabric with a 1950’s silhouette. To make it different, she incorporated a backless corset.

“I’m inspired by the fashion of punk and rockabilly music because the styles are very unique and nonconformist,” Gross said. “It’s fun but still sophisticated.”

Mary Ann Gale, Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing & Management Academic Director, said that the judges selected Gross’ design because the dress was a well-executed spin on 50’s inspired design. Her detailed process book, which included Gross’ original sketches and photos of the steps she took to complete the dress, also played a significant part in the judges’ final decision.

“I am very creative and love to be original,” Gross said. “I believe I could bring a big change in the fashion world because I am not afraid to take risks and I love to make older styles modern and innovative.”

In addition to her $3,000 tuition scholarship, Gross now progresses to the national Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition. Her entry will be judged against other local winners from throughout North America for the competition's grand prize, a full tuition scholarship to an Art Institutes school, a VIP trip to New York City to attend runway shows during Fashion Week and meet staff at Seventeen Magazine.

The panel of judges for the national Passion for Fashion Competition include: Suede, contestant on Project Runway Season 5; Eva Snopek, fashion designer at Calvin Klein; Patty Hughes, of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week; Ashley Granata, Marketing Manager at Style.com; and Bruce E. Dempsey, Vice President, Academic Affairs Specialist, The Art Institutes.

The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition was created to encourage and reward young fashion talent. For more information on this year's Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/passionforfashion.