LISA KLINE HOSTING WOODBURY UNIVERSITY’S 49TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW
My Speech I gave at Woodbury University’s 49th Annual Fashion Show
I stand up here tonight honored to be the host as well as the honoree of the 49th annual fashion show of Woodbury University. I feel a sense of pride and nostalgia because I was once a student of fashion design myself, graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in Fashion Design in 1992. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to study something I was passionate about and interested in (and I thank my parents as they sit in the audience tonight) and it is clear that my education and degree did not go to waste I use it every single day. I am a big supporter of education as well as LA fashion. The Lisa Kline stores are iconic and were very instrumental in defining true Los Angeles Style. What is Los Angeles Style, you ask? It’s edgy, creative, risky, sexy, it’s about mixing and matching, as well as casual and cool. But most importantly abiding by no rules but your own, and being an LA native I’m allowed to say that! My stores were also a playground for education since their inception (I call it a playground because it was really fun) by providing hands on experience in selling, merchandising, buying, operations, and interning for class credits. My staff really got a true sense of what it’s like to run a business and be an entrepreneur. Mentoring people has been one of the highlights of my career.  I have to say I am so impressed with the design program here at Woodbury University and how they incorporate real world experience with education. Studying fashion here in Los Angeles is unique because we live in an environment that allows the freedom of true expression, unique style, and creativity. Unlike in Syracuse where I was frequently questioned about my choice of clothing and style. I wore pink nail polish and white jeans in the winter, walked around campus with this huge leopard jacket and it was an on going battle, one I really enjoyed. Watching my fellow students follow some weird fashion rules made no sense to me and when they questioned me I just rolled my eyes and said I’m from LA, we have no rules there.
So with that being said, these students are fortunate to study something they are passionate about in a city that is so inspiring, what I call the land of dreams. The fact that Woodbury is in Los Angeles and offers an incredible curriculum taught by leaders in the industry just goes to show how fortunate these students are. Tonight is a big night, the students are so excited, and they have worked so hard to get their designs selected to appear in the show. You will be seeing 4 runway segments, from the Sophomore Swim Collections, Junior Collections, Costume Department Collections, and the senior collections. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show!