EVENTS: O’Neill and Teen Vogue Present Generation Next

kristina

• September 26 2008
• 1,156 views
• 5 comments

On Thursday night I somehow found myself in a sea of Orange County high school students. Extremely excitable and well-dressed high school students. The event, held at 7 Degrees in Laguna Beach, was the first annual Generation Next, a design contest in which five high school girls got to design a dress and handbag for O’Neill’s spring ’09 line. At stake: a 2,000-dollar scholarship, an internship at O’Neill, and a private pizza party for the winner and all of her friends at O’Neill headquarters. Who doesn’t love a good pizza party?

The fashion show featured looks from O’Neill’s spring line alongside the designs from contestants to see who best captured the “O’Neill feeling.” A video was played of each student designer talking about something. I couldn’t tell you the subject matter because of the army of 16-year-old supporters screaming their lungs out, but my guess is that it had something to do with their design inspirations and mentorship from O’Neill designers. That of course is entirely speculation on my part. My ears are still ringing. On to the pictures!

When I arrived, 7 Degrees was already filled to capacity and the techno was turned up to eleven. I guess that’s what the kids are listening to these days.

Playing Ryan Seacrest for the night were O’Neill team riders Sage Erickson, Tanner Gudauskas, and Malia Manuel. During the show I sat next to an Orange County cougar who laughed at EVERYTHING Tanner had to say. She was definitely there to get some ass.

The first of the contestant designs to come out was by Krista Filardo.

This is the design by Rebekka Shumann.

Dress designed by Melanie Shimano.

Dress designed by Haley Stark. That’s Haley on the right.

The final entry designed by Allyson Camitta.

The girls did much more than design an outfit. They also directed the hair, makeup, music, and lighting that went along with their respective fashion shows, and enlisted a crew of friends to help. This is team Krista. Krista’s the one giving us a fist-pump. Rock on, sistah.

Team Bekka. That’s Bekka in the middle in the black dress.

Team Mel. Mel’s in the middle, striking a better pose than any of her models did. Seriously girls, slow down! Some of us came ill-prepared with point-and-shoot cameras.

Team Haley, with Haley in the green-striped dress.

Team Allyson, who is third from left.

The designers await the results. Audience members casted their votes via text message to decide the winner American Idol style.

And the winner is…Bekka (insert riot of screaming here). That’s a look at her design one more time. I’m not buying into the riding gloves, but the white dress is very cute. I’d rock it. Below are some of the fashions from O’Neill’s spring line. Boys, eat your hearts out. Sorry in advance for the blurry factor, I did my best.