Otis College of Art and Design held its annual Atelier scholarship benefit on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. During the event, Fashion Design junior Ethan Prins was honored as the recipient of the Mandy Einstein Fashion Scholarship. Named for the former Board of Governors member, who passed away last year, the Mandy Einstein Fashion Scholarship honors her legacy in art and design. Together with her husband Cliff she created and supported the Mandy and Cliff Einstein Visiting Artist Lecture Series, which brought such renowned artists as Kara Walker, Edgar Heap of Birds, Shirin Nishat, Theaster Gates, and Ndijeka Akunyili Crosby to campus to spend time with students and deliver free public lectures.
“Mandy’s lifelong dedication to nurturing creativity finds embodiment in Ethan Prins, whose artistic vision, humility, and daring spirit capture the essence of Mandy’s vision,” says Fashion Design Chair Jill Zeleznik.
Prins, a first-generation student, aspires to be a creative director in the fashion industry after graduating from Otis College. Of his student experience, Prins said, “What I am finally wrapping my head around is that you need to be uncomfortable in order to grow, and I am grateful that Otis has illuminated that path for me.”
Otis Atelier was hosted by fashion celebrity Joe Zee, with a soundtrack provided by DJ Garth Trinidad (’98 BFA Fine Arts). During the event, over 150 guests viewed a fashion show featuring student work by Fashion Design juniors and seniors. The event raised critical funds for first-generation scholarships at Otis College, where 30% of students are the first in their families to attend a four-year college or university.
Attendees included such fashion and cultural figures as designer Betsey Johnson, costume designer and 2024 mentor B. Akerlund, Bond Creative MGMT CEO and founder Leonardo Lawson (also an Otis Trustee), Eckhaus Latta designers Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta, Opening Ceremony cofounder Humberto Leon, swimwear designer and 2024 mentor Rod Beattie (’86 BFA Fashion Design), fashion executive and 2024 mentor Katherine Ross and LACMA CEO and President Michael Govan, The Elder Statesman founder Greg Chait, Libertine creative director Johnson Hartig, artist Scott Grieger, art collector Nick Hamatake, architect David C. Martin, and gallery owner Joann Li, among others.
The fashion show was a culmination of year-long projects Otis College Fashion Design students undertook with industry mentors, which this year included Mike Amiri, J. Crew, bridal company Maggie Sottero, Revolve, Marcus Clayton, and Activision/Blizzard, among others. From their mentors students learn far more than drawing, sewing, and pattern making skills: they experience all facets of the industry, from meeting creative briefs and deadlines to styling professional models for the end-of-year runway shows.
The Fashion Design department’s full runway show, The Art of Duality, will be shown during O-Launch weekend. Visit otis.edu/olaunch for the full schedule and to RSVP to attend this free public event.
All images photographed by Stefanie Keenan/Otis College of Art and Design.