Fashion designer Rachel Roy caused a stir down in Atlanta on May 24, when she served as the honorary chair of Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta’s SEEN Gala. The benefit is a premier fundraiser for SCAD Atlanta and this year consisted of a VIP reception, a silent auction of original artwork, as well as an exclusive fashion showcase.
For 2011, SCAD fashion students collaborated with other departments to recreate a number of garments available for auction. Additionally, 20 select graduates hosted an intimate atelier presentation of their inventive designs to some 600 guests. J. Christopher sponsored the elegant occasion, with additional support coming from Coca-Cola, Wilmington Trust, Moxie Interactive, Follett, Fisher and Phillips, Lord Aeck and Sargent, W Atlanta Midtown, and Loews Atlanta Hotel.
The gala marks the conclusion of Rachel Roy’s StyleLab mentorship where she worked with a talented pool SCAD Atlanta fashion students. “It is a thrill for me,” Rachel commented about lending her guidance and professional aptitude to budding designers. “Here at SCAD, my hope [was] that the students learn that it is possible to work on your dream and work on your passion, and make a living at it,” she elaborated.
Arriving alongside Roy, were co-chairs Glen and Danielle Rollins, Scott and Deborah Kelly, and SCAD president Paula Wallace; the latter instantaneously took a whirl at the students’ exhibit, and expressed her approval.
The sold-out event drew the likes of W Hotel’s global fashion director Amanda Ross (previously a consultant for Dennis Basso and Elie Tahari), fashion designer Frank Tell, Coca-Cola’s Ingrid Saunders Jones, entertainer, Perri “Pebbles” Reid, and Spanx CEO Laurie Ann Goldman.
All proceeds from the evening went to SCAD Atlanta’s scholarship fund, which supports both existing and new scholarships.
