MFA Fashion Design School Graduates Launched Professional Runway Collections During New York Olympus Fashion Week
MFA fashion graduates showcased their debut collections in the Bryant Park Tents during New York Olympus Fashion Week.
(PRWEB) September 25, 2006 -- On Saturday, September 9th, MFA fashion graduates showcased their debut collections in the Bryant Park Tents during New York Olympus Fashion Week for the second year in a row. Academy of Art University is the first and only educational institution to promote its recent fashion graduates with this extraordinary opportunity.
Seven womenswear collections and three menswear collections were shown to a full house of guests including national and international media, fashion industry executives and recruiters, store buyers, department heads from New York design schools, as well as alumni.
This season featured three collections from the Menswear Specific Design Program:
o Pablo Fernandez, a native of Uruguay, incorporated his fashion and knitwear design focus into an avant-garde collection inspired by the early-80s, vintage cartoons and WWI paraphernalia. Pablo was a 2004 CFDA Scholarship Award recipient. In May 2006, Pablo was awarded an internship at Louis Vuitton in Paris for 2007 after Christophe Girard, Deputy Mayor of Paris Responsible for Culture and Director of Fashion Strategy of the LVMH Fashion Group, met Pablo and viewed his portfolio. Pablo’s collection will be showcased on the runway of the 24th Annual Macy’s Passport 2006 in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
o Japanese native and cutting-edge fashion designer Masamichi Matsushita collaborated with textile designer Susan Fort to create futuristic prints using organic wool. Originally from Texas, Susan drew inspiration from the Californians she met while here. The “O-Wool by Jasco” organic wool has been donated by Vermont Organic Fiber Company (www.vtorganicfiber.com). Their collection will be showcased on the runway of the 24th Annual Macy’s Passport 2006 in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
o Stephanie Sauceda is a self-described “military brat” having grown up throughout the world. She spent most of her time in the state of Washington before living in San Francisco while working towards her MFA degree. Stephanie visited her Spanish roots for this sharply tailored menswear collection drawing inspiration from armor, military and based each look on a Spanish conquistador. She hopes to return to Spain.
Womenswear collections included:
o Avani Pratap Bhansali’s passion for ancient civilization and dynasties led to her inspiration from the intricacies of Persian art. She researched archival metal work, pottery and textiles and incorporated the texture into her designs. She also took architectural elements and was inspired by the loose silhouettes worn at that time. Born in Bombay, India, Avani’s collection will also be included on the runway of the 24th Annual Macy’s Passport 2006 Fashion Extravaganza in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
o Laurie Browne took inspiration from the exaggerated proportions of European expressionist painter Egon Schiele and Balenciaga’s design structure and volume of the 60s. This Maine native collaborates with textile designer Young Jun Ryu who comes from Korea.
o Expressionist postmodern architect Frank Gehry inspired Taiwan native Li-Jen “Alan” Lee. Alan’s structured denim collection was sponsored by Cone Mills (www.conedenim.com).
o Shanti Rose Markstrom’s hand-detailed collection took inspiration from Commedia del’arte and Victorian circus performers as well as French artists Jean-Antoine Watteau and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Shanti’s nationality is Swedish and African-American.
o Japanese fashion designer Mari Matsumoto incorporated her understanding of Japanese clothing and the Kabuki way of styling into her collaborative collection with Korean textile designer Kyung Min Kim. Kyung’s textiles follow Mari’s journey from grief to growth following the death of her mother. Mari and Kyung were featured in a two-page spread in the Summer 2006 issue of Art Works Magazine.
o Fashion and knitwear designer Quyen Nguyen grew up in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, and has lived in Rhode Island, Texas and San Francisco. Quyen was inspired by Girl Scout uniforms and menswear shirts for her knitwear collection of sportswear.
o Academy of Art University upholds its commitment to educate designers on environmentally sound practices. This sustainable program is put into practice through Masamichi Matsushita’s use of organic wool as well as Christine Welcher’s womenswear collection. Christine collaborated with textile designer Lydia Timken and used organic color-grown cottons.
Academy of Art University is nationally accredited by ACICS, NASAD, Council for Interior Design Accreditation (Formerly FIDER), (BFA-IAD), and NAAB (M-ARCH). Please visit the fashion design school for more information.
Press contact: Ian MacKintosh 415.618.3849
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