School of Fashion Students Launch Magazine as Graduates Head to Fashion Week in New York
 The Academy of Art University School of Fashion
anticipates another distinguished year as graduates prepare to show their Spring 2009 collections
during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The Academy is the only school to show at the prestigious
event, which provides students an exceptional opportunity to debut their work in the heart of the
fashion universe.
New this year is the work of two 100 percent online degree graduates, Ali Kahn in menswear
and Elena Akoulova in womenswear, as well as an exciting semiannual magazine from the School of
Fashion.
"We are thrilled," exclaimed Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the University. "Ali and
Elena have excelled in the program proving the success of the online environment. They have
benefited from a solid program and the great opportunities presented to them by the University."
The online program launched seven pilot courses in 2002 and today has 116 online fashion
courses in BFA and MFA Fashion Design, Fashion Journalism, Fashion Illustration and Merchandising.
Born and raised in Lahore, Ali completed his degree online while in Pakistan. He has created
a clever mix of classic wearability in his shapes and color-scheme with avant-garde surface
textures and details. His humor shows through in his slogan Caution: For External Use Only. Ali
shipped his menswear collection to San Francisco for his thesis presentation, which was held by
videoconference.
Russian-born Elena Akoulova completed her degree online while in Marietta, GA. She has
created a womenswear collection of simple A-line linen dresses with draping techniques and colors
inspired by orchids. She presented her thesis before the review committee in San Francisco. Elena
plans to go into production with her RTW line here in the U.S.
In conjunction with this exciting event will be the debut of the new fashion journalism
magazine, one eighty. The first issue of one eighty will be distributed
 to 1,000 guests attending the Academy’s show at New
York Fashion Week, and subsequent issues will be released to continue to coincide with New York
Fashion Week in the fall and the San Francisco graduation in the spring.
one eighty magazine is produced by the University’s Fashion Journalism students and will
cover fashion, art, photography, and lifestyle in San Francisco, nationally and
internationally. The style magazine offers both onsite and online students the opportunity to
publish work and build their portfolios. In addition to the guest copies at New York Fashion
Week, 10,000 copies of the premier issue will be distributed at galleries, cafes, museums, and
bookstores throughout San Francisco. Distribution of the print version will be increased in
2009 along with the launch of an online edition.
Approximately eight other designers will be showcased at the show as well, including Jaime
Cole, Desiree Daniels, Johanna Hatzenbuehler, Anne Jones, Kara Laricks, and Warot Subsrisunjai. In
April, Jaime was featured in MTV: True Life I’m Going To Fashion Week. Johanna will present a
sustainable collection of recycled fabrics and Warot’s Man Ray inspired womenswear will include
sculptor Mike Feeney’s accessories.
The Academy congratulates all the graduates for their hard work and success. With the
unmatchable exposure their work is receiving at Fashion Week, there is no limit to their potential.
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