A symphony of designs

Backstage, make-up artists delicately glued on false eyelashes and touched up lip color. Hair stylists smoothed tresses. Tall, willowy young women paced, laughed, took a deep breath, and walked out to face their audience. Sound like a scene from ‘‘Project Runway’’? Try ‘‘Project Mozart,’’ a fashion competition presented by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Students from around the city unveiled their eveningwear designs — which were inspired by the Salzburg-born composer — at an all-Mozart program last Thursday, and again on Tuesday. The winner will be announced tonight at a special reception at Symphony Hall after the BSO performance. (Visit www.bso.org for tickets and details.) We talked to a few stylish types in the crowd.

Residence: Boston

Job: Student at Massachusetts College of Art and Design; "Project Mozart" designer

How did you get involved in this competition? One of our teachers told us they were doing the project. He picked a couple of us to submit sketches.

Did you listen to a lot of Mozart to get ready? I did. I used to play the violin in middle school and high school, so it kind of gave me a leg up.

Was there a specific piece that inspired you? Piano Concerto No. 21. It was really soft and romantic. It stood out to me right away. I wanted the dress [fitted purple and lavender with train] to have the same feel as the piece - really flowy and elegant.

Fantastic outfit. What are you wearing? The top is Betsey Johnson and so is the dress. I actually work there so . . . discount. The shoes are [from] DSW - Guess.

Are those shoes incredibly painful? My pinky toe is getting squished.

So what's your goal? Do you want to be a fashion designer? I'm going to go to grad school for costume design.

Residence: Brighton

Job: Assistant at Brandon Keith Hair on Newbury Street

Your hair is unbelievable. Who did it? Thank you. Well, I work at Brandon Keith Hair. Jacqui Crawford was the stylist, Brandon is the owner. And my colorist is Leon Brown.

Why are you here tonight? Brandon needed my help. I'm a hairstylist in training, and this is a great opportunity.

What are you wearing? The dress is from Urban Outfitters. The belt is vintage. The shoes are vintage. And the leggings are from H&M.

Where do you hang out when you're not working? I hang out in Allston. Every weekend I eat at Bagel Rising. Oh my God, it's incredible. And I like to have dinner at the Grasshopper. It's a vegan-Japanese restaurant in Allston.

What's on your iPod? A band called Stars, Death Cab, Beirut, Kings of Leon - so good! Ryan Adams.

Best movie you've seen recently? Oh, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist." It's one of the sweetest, most innocent love stories. It just reminds you of being young.

Residence: Foxborough

Job: Student at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

So you are wearing your own "Project Mozart" design tonight. What inspired you? I listened to Mozart, obviously - the feel of the velvet of the music. That's why I used velvet [for the gown]. It's very soft and classical.

What's on your iPod? Good question. Legowelt and Royksopp.

You're studying fashion design. What do you want to do when you get out of school? I plan on opening a boutique when I move back to my home in Lebanon for custom-made eveningwear.

Do you get back home a lot? I tend to visit on summer vacation.

Where do you like to hang out? Hmmm . . . that's tough, because I don't ever leave school. I love being at home. It's nice and there's peace and quiet.

Best movie you've seen recently? "Marie Antoinette." I love the costumes - it's just unbelievable.

Residence: Cambridge

Job: Mechanical engineer at the Volpe Center for the Department of Transportation

Why are you here tonight? I like Mozart and I like clothes. Actually, my friend is making me go to the Dvorak show in two weeks so I said I wanted to go see Mozart. So I went with my girlfriends.

What do you think of the stimulus package? I don't think it's going to have too much of an impact on me no matter what it is.

What are you wearing tonight? I'm wearing the dress that would be the most comfortable. [Laughs.] I had considered the tweed bubble skirt and blue top, but I got lazy.

What about the tiger-striped tights? They're from Target. I like animals.

Who does your hair? Ashley at Salon Luna in Porter [Square].

What is your natural hair color? [Shrugs.]

What's on your iPod? Right now, I'm listening to a lot of ABBA. You need something cheerful, right?