Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1178754
69 The Costume Designer Fall 2019 President Salvador Perez Honored at the Metropolitan Fashion Awards C elebrities and spectators dressed to impress, filled the rotunda at Los Angeles City Hall for the 2019 Metropolitan Fashion Week's closing gala and Fashion Awards. The event is a collaboration between producer and TV personality Eduardo Khawam and fashion designer David Tupaz, and is the only fash- ion function that features both costume and fashion designers. The gathering affirms how the two points of view often coexist to tell a story. This year's theme was Greek mythology. After an opening dance number performed by Emmy winner Dmitry Chaplin (Dancing With the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance) and part- ner Natalia Bekker, both costumed in modern his-and-her togas, Khawam took to the mic to host the 7th annual event. Costume Designer and CDG President Salvador Perez earned the evening's Excellence Award. Paul Jaramillo, the event's executive producer, says, "Each year the Metropolitan Fashion Awards honors groups or individuals who have contributed to the fashion and/or costume industry. Salvador Perez exemplifies what this award stands for through his work as an accomplished Costume Designer and his leadership of the Costume Designers Guild." Perez reveals, "As someone who got their start in the fashion industry, I have always seen the link between costume and fash- ion design. As Costume Designers, we use clothing as part of the "I like to tell this story because it was a chance meeting, and look where I am today. Always be courageous and speak up!" ~ Salvador Perez By Bonnie Nipar Salvador Perez and Rebecca Rittenhouse