PITTSBURGH, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's Passion for Fashion Competition sponsored by The Art Institutes honored two high school seniors for their creative talent and commitment to the pursuit of a career in the fashion industry. The competition provides the opportunity for fashion-savvy teens throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico to compete for the chance to earn a full-tuition scholarship to study either Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Fashion Retail Management.  A grand prize winner is selected for each category.

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The grand prize winner in the Fashion Design category is Shayla Harris of San Antonio, Texas. Artfully combining the strength of leather with the delicacy of tulle, Shayla created a ball gown that exemplifies what every woman strives to be: confident and elegant. The gown was very well received by the judges, who recognized great talent in Harris' skillful mixing of opposites.  Shayla earned a full-tuition scholarship to attend The Art Institute of Dallas.

The grand prize winner in the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Fashion Retail Management category is Mollie Bradford of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  Mollie envisioned a boutique that put fashion on a socially conscious level, creating a space where charity, fashion, and the performing arts come together in the community.  Her attention to professional detail and aesthetics set her concept above the rest.  Mollie earned a full-tuition scholarship to attend The Art Institute of Charlotte.

In addition, both grand prize winners received a VIP trip to Fashion Week in New York City, a $500 shopping spree, participated in a meet and greet at Seventeen's New York City offices and lunched with a Seventeen style pro.

The panel of judges for The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition 2011 included: Leanne Marshall, Winner of Project Runway Season 5 and fashion designer; Patty Hughes, a fashion show producer who has appeared as a fashion expert on "The Rachel Ray Show;" Calvin Tran, contestant on Bravo's "The Fashion Show Ultimate Collection," fashion designer and graduate of The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago; Warren Satchel, Senior Merchandiser for Gap International; and Bruce E. Dempsey, Vice President, Academic Affairs Specialist, The Art Institutes.

Second place winners in the Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Fashion Retail Management categories each earned a $5,000 tuition scholarship.  In the Fashion Design category, the second place winner is Mary Smith representing The Art Institute of Seattle. Inspired by the film Cinderella Man, Mary took a classic evening gown design and made it a timeless design piece all her own. In the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Fashion Retail Management category, second place was awarded to Sarah Nicole Janssen representing The Art Institute of Seattle. Sarah wants to reintroduce confidence and natural beauty through her synthesis of modesty and atypical fashion styles.  

The third place winners in the aforementioned categories each earned a $4,000 tuition scholarship.  For the Fashion Design category, Gerissa Russell placed third representing The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Gerissa began her fashion career at the age of ten when she began to draw her own clothing design concepts. In the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Fashion Retail Management category, third place was awarded to Samantha French representing The Art Institute of Jacksonville. Samantha caught the judges' attention with her innovative business model for a convertible shoe that makes high fashion comfortable and classy.

"We are privileged to provide fashion-minded students with an opportunity that combines creative expression with an educational scholarship. Entries have become more and more competitive and artistic every year. The winners put their hearts into these creations and that kind of passion will help carry them into very rewarding future careers," said Bruce E. Dempsey, Vice President, Academic Affairs Specialist for The Art Institutes.  

 For more information on The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition, visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=AI2134.

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 45 education institutions located throughout North America. The Art Institutes system is America's leader in creative education providing an important source for design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South University.

SOURCE The Art Institutes