BSO Highlights Beethoven At Its Own Project Runway

Ludwig von Beethoven has inspired art, film and music through the centuries. Now, fashion is taking cues from the rock star composer.

Thursday night, 10 young design students from New England schools competed in a unique fashion show at Symphony Hall. Their assignment? To create dresses that evoke the spirit of Beethoven.

Maria Canada won the contest with a gown modeled after an iconic image of the composer.

“I went directly to ‘the master’ for my inspiration,” Canada explained in an e-mail Friday. She studies at the Rhode Island School of Design and said she “wanted to pay homage to the ideas and feelings aroused when one thinks of the legacy he left us all by way of his incredible music.

“Beethoven's music evokes contemplation and inspiration,” Canada said, “and so should good design.”

Musicians in the Boston Symphony Orchestra were among the judges at the contest.

“The winning design was chosen because the execution of this original design was wonderful," Owen Young, a cellist, said. "The black velvet jacket over the red flowing gown was compelling and beautiful. The contrasting colors, materials and shapes seemed to create an energy and flow that I felt was in the spirit of Beethoven and his unique genius.”

The fashion show was followed by the BSO’s performance of Beethoven’s "Piano Concert No. 3."