Note: Media that wish to cover the show are asked to R.S.V.P. to esblust@syr.edu by Tuesday, June 2.

Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) will present its annual senior juried fashion show “Vision with Action” in New York City on Wednesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. at JPMorgan Chase, 270 Park Ave., 50^th floor. The show will feature the top collections from fashion design seniors in VPA’s School of Art and Design. The college will also present the 2009 Icon of Style Award to Henry Grethel, a renowned designer and SU alumnus.

Tickets for the show are $175 for preferred seating and pre-show reception at 6 p.m.; $75 for admission to the show only; and $44 for admission to the show only for current SU students and SU alumni who graduated from ’05–’09. Tickets may be purchased through  June 1 at http://invite.syr.edu/vision. Seating is limited.

VPA held its first juried New York City fashion show in 2008 to expose the high quality of design and craftsmanship created at SU to designers and the media in that market. The college has presented an annual fashion show on the SU campus for more than 20 years.

The jury for this year’s New York City fashion show is composed of both industry professionals and School of Art and Design faculty, including Shawn Clarke, designer, Joan Vass; James Horan, owner and buyer, The Edge, Syracuse; Francine Emmi, employment recruiter; Sue Yoder, faculty member and textile designer, BCBG; Karen Bakke, faculty member and program coordinator, fashion design; Lucinda Havenhand, chair, School of Art and Design, Department of Design; and MaryEllen Letterman, chair emerita, Department of Design.

The college created the Icon of Style Award to honor those individuals in the fashion industry who are bold, innovative and visionary. The inaugural 2008 award was presented to VPA alumna Emme ’85, a prominent model, author, lecturer, clothing designer and women’s advocate.

Grethel, a designer, merchandiser and marketer, is president of HG Design International. Known for deftly combining the casual, modern essence of American sportswear with sophisticated colors and fine fabrics, he was an early factor in business casual clothing and remains a vital, creative force designing for the rapidly evolving lifestyles and priorities of today’s consumer.

Grethel’s marketing education and vast business experience have made him an entrepreneurial concept creator and product producer. In addition to holding executive positions at such major apparel companies as C.F. Hathaway, Eagle Shirtmakers and Manhattan Industries, he originated and developed the John Henry brand in men’s and women’s wear prior to debuting his own collections for men and women. His interconnected trademarks—Henry Grethel™, Equipment by Henry Grethel™, Henry Grethel Platinum™ and Henry Grethel Studio™—represent originality, creativity and salability.

Grethel has received numerous honors for marketing and design, including membership in the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was also selected to design the opening ceremony uniforms for Team USA at the Albertville and Barcelona Olympic Games. For more about Grethel, visit http://www.joanhansen.com/henry_grethel1.html.

Focused on design and creative development, VPA’s fashion design program offers an intellectually stimulating environment with a global perspective. This, coupled with practical and theoretical skills, technology and the study of the cultural context in which fashion exists, provides a broad-based education in fashion. In addition to Grethel and Emme, notable alumni from SU and the fashion design program include Betsey Johnson, Donald Brooks, Tom and Linda Platt, Lisa Kline and Danna Weiss.

VPA is committed to the education of cultural leaders who will engage and inspire audiences through performance, visual art, design, scholarship and commentary. The college provides the tools for self-discovery and risk-taking in an environment that thrives on critical thought and action.

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