Ten Fashion Designers Compete in The Look Reality Show Filmed at IADT-Seattle

SEATTLE --(Business Wire)--

A new reality show called The Look is currently being filmed by Evening Magazine at the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) in Seattle. The 10 contestants are local fashion designers, including three IADT alumni and one IADT instructor. The fashion program department head at IADT-Seattle created the show's concept and appears as the designers' mentor. The winner of the competition will appear in 425 Magazine, display his or her new collection in Neiman Marcus in Bellevue, WA, and receive a $10,000 prize for their fashion design business.

The show, which is being filmed through Feb. 2, will air on Seattle channel King5 at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18-25. Evening Magazine will announce the winner on Feb. 25.

The contestants from IADT include Fashion Design instructor Iris Klein; alumni Gingerlyn Bellus and Monica Kitchen, who both pursued the Fashion Design program at IADT-Seattle; and Deyonte' Weather, a Fashion Design alumnus from IADT-Chicago. The other contestants are Justin Zachary Bartle, Sonia Chehade, Maxwell Cunanan, Julie Danforth, Lisa Hunter, and Tina Witherspoon.

Each Friday morning during the competition, the designers are presented with their challenge. For the next 14 hours, they sketch their designs, shop for fabric, and create their garment at IADT-Seattle. The garments are fitted and refitted on Saturday before models from local agency TCM Models & Talent present them on the runway. On each show, the designs are judged by a panel, and one winner and two losers are named. The final three contestants will present a five-piece collection at Neiman Marcus at The Shops at the Bravern in Bellevue, WA, on Feb. 7, 2013.

Monir Zandghoreishi, fashion program department head at IADT-Seattle, created the concept of The Look and is co-producing the show with Rose Dennis. Dennis will serve on the show's panel of judges, while Zandghoreishi will appear on the show as the designers' mentor. "The Look is a way to give promising young designers a chance to win the funds and media attention that can grow their business," says Zandghoreishi.

Zandghoreishi came up with the idea to create The Look because she wanted to do something significant to help young designers jumpstart their businesses. She emphasizes that getting funding is a huge step in starting a fashion business, and some designers have access to funding while others do not. The Look is a way to equalize the playing field by giving young designers the opportunity to win funding based on their ability to craft fresh, original designs under deadline pressure-which is the exact challenge they face in the business world.

The concept for The Look began to evolve when Zandghoreishi asked her students to be part of the new competition. "The students are so excited about the show and how it can make a huge difference in their lives!" she says. Getting a TV program launched is no small task, but Zandghoreishi succeeded by tapping into her vast business network and by collaborating with the producers and hosts of King5's Evening Magazine, including Meeghan Black, Jim Dever, Saint Bryan, Kim Holcomb, and Michael King.

About the International Academy of Design and Technology in Seattle

With more than 30 years as an established institution, the International Academy of Design and Technology offers students a hands-on education with experienced faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance to pursue fulfilling career opportunities in the design and technology fields. The Seattle campus (IADT-Seattle), which opened in 2004, offers degree programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Digital Media Production, Fashion Merchandising, Game Production, Internet Marketing and Web Design and Development. Students also have the opportunity to take a portion of their coursework online through IADT-Online. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.iadt.edu/disclosures. IADT-Seattle cannot guarantee employment or salary and is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information call 206.575.1865 or visit www.iadt.edu/Seattle.