|
Renowned Designer of Fashion,
Fragrance, Jewelry and Interiors of Luxury Cars,
Planes Selected for Award by
Otis College of Art and Design; Presentation on May
8 in Beverly Hills
Artist Tyrus Wong to Receive Otis Alumni Achievement
Award for
Outstanding Contributions to Film Industry
LOS ANGELES
– Samuel Hoi, president of Otis College of
Art and Design, today announced the
distinguished recipients of two special art and
design awards. Dr.
Bijan Pakzad,
Chairman and Designer of House of Bijan will
receive the Otis Design Legend Award, and artist
Tyrus Wong, a 1932 graduate of Otis College and
an illustrator at both Disney and Warner
Bros. studios, will receive an Otis Alumni
Achievement Award. The awards will be presented on
Saturday, May 8 at the college’s 28th
Annual Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show at The
Beverly Hilton.
”Each year Otis honors an individual or company
whose name is synonymous with design and artful
style,” said Hoi. “Bijan
has a world-wide reputation for design elegance in
menswear and fragrance. His boutique on Rodeo Drive
is considered a Beverly Hills landmark. A
self-described ‘perfectionist,’ Dr. Bijan Pakzad is
the perfect choice for this special design award
from Otis College.”
In 1976, Bijan began establishing his global
business by designing seasonal collections as well
as complete wardrobes and accessories for the most
powerful, well-heeled men in the world. Heads of
state, captains of industry, presidents, kings and
emperors are among his clients. Bijan’s legendary
“by-appointment-only” showroom on Rodeo Drive in
Beverly Hills is headquarters for his commercial
empire, which includes menswear, jewelry,
accessories, fragrance and the interior design of
luxury cars and airplanes. Celebrating
35 successful years in fashion and design, the House
of Bijan is a testament to the talent of the company
founder.
“I want to recognize Otis Governor Adrianne
Zarnegin and her husband Robert Zarnegin
for their invaluable assistance in recruiting Bijan
to accept our invitation,” said
Hope Warschaw,
chair of the Otis Board of Trustees.
Previous Otis awardees are: Bob Hurley,
founder and chairman of Hurley International,
and Sally Frame Kasaks, chairman and chief
executive officer of Pacific Sunwear of
California Inc. (2009), Anne Globe of
DreamWorks Animation and Brad Globe of
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (2008), Jacque
Hall and Paul Fitzpatrick of Macy’s
(2007), Joseph Abboud, Cirque du Soleil and Roxy
(2006), Mindy Grossman and Peter Kolsky
of Nike, Inc. (2005), Roger Williams
of Warnaco Swimwear Group and Susan Crank
of Lunada Bay Corporation (2004), Tim
Kilpin of The Walt Disney Company
(2003), Matt Bousquette of Mattel,
Richard Baker of Op and Linda Platzner
of Primedia (2002), actor/artist Dennis
Hopper, sculptor Robert Graham and
swimwear designer Anne Cole (2001), Max
Azria of BCBG (2000), Bob McKnight
of Quiksilver (1999), Todd Oldham and
Dan Romanelli of Warner Bros.
Consumer Products (1998), and Michael Gould
of Bloomingdale’s (1997).
In announcing the recipient of the Otis Alumni
Achievement Award, Hoi pointed out, “as Tyrus Wong
approaches his 100th birthday, he will be
honored by his 92-year-old alma mater.”
Tyrus Wong brought his artistry and craftsmanship to
Warner Bros. as a film production illustrator for
nearly three decades. He also worked at Disney
where he made groundbreaking creative contributions
to the animated feature, Bambi. Wong
sketched and painted striking storyboards and set
illustrations that set the tone and drama for
hundreds of films, including such classics as
The Wild Bunch and Rebel Without a
Cause. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences presented his work in a 2007
exhibition, The Art of the Motion Picture
Illustrator. A documentary about Wong’s life,
Brushstrokes in Hollywood, is currently in
development. Born in China in 1910, Wong immigrated
to the United States when he was nine years old.
Teachers at his Pasadena junior high noticed Wong’s
artistic ability and arranged for a summer session
scholarship at Otis Art Institute (now Otis College
of Art and Design). Hooked on his art school
experience, he left junior high and enrolled as a
full-time Otis student, working as a janitor to pay
tuition. Retiring in 1968, Wong has continued his
artistry in painting and in creating colorful kites.
In 2001, Wong was presented a Historymakers Award by
the Chinese American Museum, and was also named a
Disney Legend.
Dr. Bijan Pakzad and Tyrus Wong will receive their
awards at the annual Otis Scholarship Benefit and
Fashion Show on May 8, 2010 at The Beverly Hilton
Hotel. Over 1,000 leaders in entertainment,
fashion, business and finance as well as society
patrons, press, celebrities, students, alumni and
other supporters are expected to attend the gala.
This annual event is Otis College's largest
fundraiser, grossing over $1 million in scholarships
for art and design students. Tickets and additional
information are available at
http://www.otis.edu/sbs or by calling (310)
665-6858.
ABOUT OTIS
Founded in Los Angeles in 1918, Otis College of Art
and Design prepares diverse students of art and
design to enrich our world through their creativity,
their skill, and their vision. The College offers
an interdisciplinary education for 1200 full-time
students, awarding BFA degrees in Advertising
Design, Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Digital
Media, Fashion Design, Illustration, Graphic Design,
Product Design, Painting, Photography, Sculpture/New
Genres and Toy Design; and MFA degrees in Fine Arts,
Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing.
Continuing Education offers certificate programs as
well as personal and professional development
courses. More
information on Otis College of
Art and Design is available at
www.otis.edu or by calling
(310) 665-6800.
|