Student’s Fashion Line to be Unveiled During Runway Show Benefiting the American Heart Association
August 2007
LA MIRADA, CALIF. — When Adam Sjoberg entered Biola University as a studio art major, he never imagined that by his senior year he would be producing an entire clothing line and displaying it at a fashion show. But that’s not all; Sjoberg also won $2,000 and a trip to the fashion capitol of the U.S. — New York City.
On Aug. 31, Sjoberg’s unique designs will be unleashed at the first-ever Biola Red Line Fashion Show, a show that will not only celebrate Biola’s centennial year, but also help raise funds and awareness for the American Heart Association, to promote a healthy lifestyle for college students. “Take care of your heart, and you’ll live to be 100” is the slogan for this event. Portions of the ticket prices will go to the AHA and specially designed dresses from Sjoberg will be auctioned off to benefit AHA’s “Go Red” campaign.
Sjoberg was given the task to create a fashion line to commemorate Biola’s 100th Anniversary – a line to be worn by Biola faculty, students and alumni during the centennial year. The only rules in creating the line were to make something that had significance for this historical occasion and make something that Biolans would be proud to wear.
Judges from the contest were industry professionals from the fashion world including designers from American Apparel, Vera Wang, House of Howe, Quail, Ever and Matte Black.
Laurel Dailey, American Apparel designer and judge of the Red Line competition said, “Adam's designs stood out to me because of their cohesiveness; from evening gown to t-shirt, the line worked well as a whole. I also was drawn to how marketable the designs were--he seamlessly blended his own fashion sense into Biola's broader aesthetic.”
On Feb. 22, Sjoberg was announced winner of the contest that had over 2,000 members of the Biola community voting. His prizes include a trip to New York, a red ipod, and the honor of being the designer of the centennial clothing line.
Sjoberg plans on taking his mother on his trip, because she has never been to New York.
Sjoberg’s winning designs were created initially by painting words on canvas, and later transferring all the images to computer. In the age of computer shortcuts, Sjobjerg’s designs demonstrate true creativity artistry.
The main design consists of the words “Biola University” and “One Hundred Years” painted over and over in text. The design was then incorporated into various Biola icons and symbols, including the eagle, Biola’s mascot. For the design, Sjoberg spent 12 hours painting the design onto canvas before transferring it to his computer. As an artist first, it was important that his work displayed artistic merit and style.
“Originally, the competition was more of a T-shirt design contest. I took it and ran with it, creating actual outfits that I thought were fashionable including jeans, pants, shorts, jackets, vests, dresses, cardigans and boots,” said Sjoberg.
The yearlong design process began in the fall of 2006 when a university-wide competition was announced to design the fashion of Biola’s centennial. It was called “The Red Line,” named after Biola’s school colors.
Over 20 Biolans submitted books full of clothing designs inspired by the history and heritage of Biola’s 100 years.
Sjobjerg, who graduated May of ’07, is grateful for the experience that designing the red line has given him. His goals for the future are to continue to use his art skills to do humanitarian work. For Sjoberg, the Red Line is just the beginning.
“When I got into the art department, I was a scared sophomore who felt like I had to prove myself because there were a lot of people who were really good,” said Sjoberg, 22. “But now, I feel that I’ve etched a placed for myself in the Biola art department.”
For more information on the Red Line Runway Show or to attend as a member of the press, contact 562.777.4061.
####
Biola University, founded in 1908, will celebrate 100 years of biblically centered Christian education on February 24. Located in La Mirada, Calif., on the border of LA and Orange Counties, Biola is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a “National University,” which they consider the “major leagues” of higher education. Biola offers 145 academic programs through its seven schools, ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D. For more information, visit www.biola.edu.
Press Contacts