Moore College & Art Institute Student Fashion Show

Creativity blossomed larger than a white water lily at this spring's end-of-year student fashion shows, where young designers sent versions of thrift-store chic and 1960s mod looks down their runways.

Moore College of Art & Design senior Amanda Davis showed two collections, among the evening's highlights. Davis' urban-prep women's wear featured lettered sweaters and knee-length pleated skirts; it was voted most saleable.

Her out-of-this-world evening wear, inspired by outer space, featured a bell-sleeved electric sheer gown that could outdo J.Lo. Seductive.

Other standouts from Moore: VJ Thomas' collection of cream one-piece bathing suits, and a fringed, multicolored cocktail dress by senior Jessica Rivera. (Note the forward-looking long sleeves.) Thomas won a critics award for swimwear, and Rivera's special-occasion grouping received an honorable mention.

This was the first year the Art Institute of Philadelphia held its show off campus, displaying 80 of the students' looks at the newly renovated Arts Ballroom at 1324 Locust St.

The collections were sweet and delicate, but wearable. A warm yellow silken baby-doll frock by senior Stacey Davis reminded me of a delicious summer afternoon, while a crisp white fishtail evening gown starring a jazzy golden bolero was totally red carpet-worthy.

- Elizabeth Wellington