Otis College of Art and Design‘s 28th annual Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show rolled out at the Beverly Hilton hotel on Saturday night.

The black-tie event is always about the kids — and they should be proud. There were some terrific designs marching down the runway: a Matrix-looking jacket that turned into a sleeping bag (mentored by Isabel Toledo and Patagonia), smart men’s parkas (mentored by Armani Exchange) and Marlene Dietrich-style retro lingerie (mentored by Cosabella).

But it must be said — though the student fashion felt fresh, the first half of the event was bogged down by overly loquacious  presentations and acceptance speeches.

Most guilty of overstaying their welcome at the mic were Design Legend honoree Bijan Pakzad, who rambled on about his family after we sat through a cringe-tastic 8-minute video that showed him swanning around his brocade-filled mansion drinking tea, and presenter Tom Gores, who told a boring story about how his nephew and he learned about “having passion” by shopping at Bijan.

Because dropping $7,000 on a suit always brings us clarity.

Photo: Student looks from the Armani Exchange mentorship, courtesy of Otis College of Art and Design.