Vivid colors, larger-than-life silhouettes and stunningly creative styles were paraded down the runway at this year’s Fashion Show, held April 30 at the majestic Academy of Music.

The Best of Show Award went to Jessica Gardner for her elegant gown and Regina Amato received the Most Creative Award for her short, plaid taffeta dress with a flirty hoop skirt.  Colorful children’s and menswear designs wowed the audience, while fashionably dressed puppies from Canine Partners for Life won their hearts.

In one of the evening’s highlights, Francisco Costa, creative director of Calvin Klein Collection for women, was awarded the 2008 Spirit of Design Award in recognition of his widespread contribution to design excellence. 

Costa presented his first Calvin Klein Collection in spring 2004 and was named Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2006.

Philadelphia University’s Fashion Show is an annual gala that showcases the best of each year’s fabulous, colorful, creative and innovative designs from students in the Fashion Design program.

Nearly 2,200 students and their families, faculty members, designers, and fashion and apparel industry professionals turned out for the gala sold-out event.

The winners for the 2008 Fashion Show are:

COATES BROTHERS CLOTHING AWARD
Eco-Fashion
Sandra Huffaker

COTTON INCORPORATED AWARD
Best of Cotton
Amy Lyddane

FASHION FACULTY AWARD
Excellence in Design
Amy Lyddane

FASHION INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (FIA) AWARDS

Best of Show
Jessica Gardner

Most Creative
Regina Amato

Best Senior Collection
OSOS Clothing
Carly Franks & Bethany Santos

Best Senior Collection – Honorable Mention
Shannan Carlino

FRANK AGOSTINO AWARD
Eveningwear Award for Excellence in Design and Execution
Andjela Vukancic

GOOD LAD AWARD
Excellence in Childrenswear
Rachel Wendling

MOTHERS WORK AWARD
Excellence in Sportswear Design
Amy Lyddane

N.A.M.S.B. FOUNDATION INC.
Joseph Klein Award for Excellence in Menswear Design
Sandra Huffaker

NEIMAN MARCUS AWARD
Most Saleable Collection
Janelle Frank

Photos from the show have been posted to http://www.PhilaU.edu/FashionShow.