Fashion Shows

Alexandra Flores / BFA Fashion Design
California

My father's childhood working on my grandpas' cattle farm in Jalisco, Mexico, inspired my collection. I focused on the functionality and design of Western saddle bags, which are featured on the saddles of workhorses. The main fabrics used in my collection are embossed leather, hand-woven cotton fabric from Guatemala, and other Mexican-inspired materials with a beautiful and vibrant sunset color palette such as red, orange, brown, and purple, but also a lot of black, representative of Mexican colors.

Through this collection, I aim to show off a Western-style from a Mexican perspective that supports the Latin community and expresses my admiration for my Mexican heritage.

Amber Kuia / BFA, Fashion Design
Taiwan

My designs are always a reflection of my passion or interest. As someone who has enjoyed anime my whole life, I drew inspiration from one of my favorite songs about the gap between dreams and reality. This concept inspired me, and my visual references were drawn from artworks or photographs that resonate with the same vibe. Each look in the collection is funky and unusual, making it difficult to distinguish between what's real and whats a dream.

The materials in the collection are unique, and I collaborated with a talented textile design student, Gina Isela Ayala, to create a series of fantastic fabrics that lead you into an unidentified region. Her whimsical and cute prints feature a lot of stars and moons, some of which are twisted or distorted, much like how our dreams look in our memory. The collection also features vinyl, which provides vibrant and unique textures and a tinted look that gives a futuristic vibe, adding more fun to the prints. The fabrics are the most unique part of the collection, and they work together to bring wearers into a fascinating world.

Anousha Mohsenidarabi / BFA Jewelry & Metal Arts
Iran

As an artist, I am deeply inspired by the beauty and mystery of nature and the rich tapestry of stories woven into our collective cultural heritage. I am drawn to vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and the ever-changing landscapes of our world. My work often explores the intersections between these two realms, seeking to capture the essence of the natural world and the timeless stories passed down through generations.

I am currently exploring new materials and incorporating found objects into my art. This challenging yet exciting process has allowed me to push the boundaries of my creativity and explore new possibilities in my work.

Antonella Almonte Lachapel / BFA Fashion Design
Haiti

My senior thesis collection is a representation of my identity as a Haitian. Based on Haitian Voodoo ceremonies, I wanted to shed light on something often associated with evil and darkness without being properly explained and understood. The whole collection is in white, presenting the fluidity of our souls and bodies–the bridge between the living and the dead. The white skull lace throughout the collection reminds me of my ancestors and how death always accompanies us. That same lace has cross-bone details, a nod to those who chose the sea and the guiding stars they become on the many paths that life takes me.

Bibi Samiezade-Yazd / BFA Fashion
California

Recipient of the Academy of Art University Presidential Scholarship to participate in the exchange program at  Studio Berçot 2023-2024

My senior thesis collection is inspired by the Iranian Revolution, the fearless women leading it, and Iranian architecture. I am fascinated by the repetitive geometrical shapes and patterns depicted in architectural works throughout history. Every aspect of my work represents women's fight in the revolution.

By installing lights within the garments, laser-cut phrases come to life as projections onto the surrounding environment. The Farsi phrase "Zan, Zendagi, Azadi," which translates to "Women, Life, Freedom," is very symbolic, as these phrases used in my collection speak to Iran's Revolution. The laser-cut words symbolize the sense of hope and light that Iranians are creating for themselves. After graduating, I will be studying for a year at Studio Berçot in Paris as recipient of Academy of Art University's Presidential Scholarship.

Ching An Yu / BFA Fashion Design
Taiwan

Fashion and architecture go hand in hand; blending the two creates truly unique and meaningful designs. My collection captures the inside and outside views of architecture, focusing on upward-angle shots that create a sense of depth and dimension.

When it comes to my design process, I am motivated by life's struggles and challenges. I aim to create silhouettes that symbolize both struggle and smoothness, reflecting the journey we all take throughout our lives. Above all, my goal as a designer is to create clothing that is not only beautiful but also has a deeper, more profound meaning.

Clara Yum / BFA Fashion Design
South Korea

My design philosophy is centered around simplicity, organic shapes, and classic styles. For my thesis project, I drew inspiration from Zhu Ohmu's Chinese pottery ceramics. The layered lines in her ceramics create a unique silhouette, which I aimed to replicate in my designs. I spent a lot of time searching for the right fabric to achieve the natural and organic feel I wanted, resulting in voluminous pieces that feel like being a flower resting inside an exquisite ceramic vase. The architectural design includes an attached jersey undergarment for ease and efficiency. I tested various colors and used ink and a brush to create an ombre effect on the fabric in a harmonious color combination.

Desharquel Craven / BFA Knitwear Design
North Carolina

The "No Limits" collection was developed for the overlooked woman living in a so-called "Man's World." This collection reflects all that we are as women and all that we can be without limitations placed on us.

While traditional knitwear has boxy silhouettes, my designs fit different body types. Every piece is knitted with stretch yarn; the combination of the material and aesthetic of this collection hints that you don't have to give up sexiness for comfort. Each color conveys the "subdued confidence" of it all; you don't always need a spotlight to shine or be loud to get recognized, and it's the same thing for clothes and this collection.

Dongzi Fan / BFA Fashion Design, Online
China

My senior thesis collection is titled "Anxiety Prescription." In today’s society, anxiety has become a common condition for youth, so I use my designs to express people’s inner anxiety through garment abstraction.

The broken mirrors featured in the collection represent an emotional outlet. Crumpled paper balls develop the theme of worry because, when anxiety occurs, countless invasive thoughts pile up like crumpled spitballs. Blue–the collection’s main color, along with black and gray–simulates the feeling of anxiety. The fabric is heavy and textured, imitating the common drowning feeling when anxiety is at its worst.

Erika Hurtado / BFA Knitwear Design
California

My senior thesis collection pulls from a photo series by Pierre De Vallombreuse that captured gender equality in Indigenous Cultures in Southeast Asia. Like the photo series, this collection conveys fluidity and simplicity among humans.

Throughout the design process, my color story evolved, the direction shifted, and the shapes and silhouettes became more organic. The natural silhouettes in this collection emphasize the fluidity of the human relationship with nature opposed to garments with little movement. I use earthy tones and breathable yarn, reminiscent of walking outside barefoot, breathing in the air that feels good for you.

Eunsol "Luna" Kang / BFA Fashion Design
South Korea

My dream is to become a fashion designer who positively influences society. I love combining ideas and visual elements and believe that all cultural texts should have complexity. Once I explored the idea of feminism and realized that women's position in society has many historical layers. I examined different perspectives of feminism throughout history and combined the Romanticism era and the 1980s in my collection. I reimagined the oversized power suit silhouette with romanticism-era clothing, creating a new fashion that combines two different eras of women's history (social status, perspective, politics, culture, etc.). Focusing on only one perspective would have made the design too simplistic. My collections are unique because of the unexpected materials I use, such as reflective, illuminating, and metallic fabrics. The structured and stiff reflective mirror fabric is perfect for dramatic expressions of 80s power suit silhouettes, and its mirror-like qualities represent romanticism's emphasis on individuality and freedom.

Gina Isela Ayala / BFA Textile Design
California

The collaborative collection with fashion design student Amber Kula takes inspiration from our dreams and explores the gap between dream and reality. Our textiles feature a range of colors, shapes, and materials, inviting the viewer on a vibrant and colorful journey through each garment. In addition to textiles specifically created for the collection, we also use vinyl and faux fur to provide unique textures and contrast to the darker garments. One of the unique aspects of the collection is that some of the prints feature photographs of Amber and me, representing what is inside our psyches. The collection is a reflection of our dreams, and our textiles create a bridge between the viewer and our world.

Gioanna De Julio / BFA Fashion Design, Online
California

I was born and raised in Southern California, and as a child, I dreamed of becoming a scientist. However, my interest shifted when I took a sewing class in high school, and I decided to pursue a career in design. While I initially considered becoming a costume designer, I ultimately chose to focus on fashion design and incorporate styling into my work. My design philosophy has always been centered around the idea of expressing oneself through fashion rather than simply trying to impress others.

To embody this philosophy, I've developed a concept that I call "neon noir." This collection blends my futuristic aesthetic with style called tech wear, resulting in a fall/winter streetwear line. To create the desired effect, I'll be utilizing black and white as base colors while incorporating UV and glow-in-the-dark paint, as well as reflective and iridescent fabrics, to create a neon effect.

Hang Yang / BFA Fashion Design, Online
China

As a fashion design student currently working in Shanghai, I often draw inspiration from objects in my daily life. For my latest collection, I took inspiration from a green plant in my room that was about to wither due to lack of water. I started by using the leaves to create some draping techniques.

The collection features circular accents made from plastic metal, allowing for different shapes to be formed within the garments. The majority of the collection is made using knitted fabrics, which allow for greater flexibility in terms of shaping and draping.

Hanwen "Zack" Zhang / BFA Fashion Design, Online
China

My inspiration for this collection came from the Vaporwave art style, which blends futuristic and retro elements in a hazy, surreal style. I'm drawn to the saturated colors of classical statues and retro items, which I incorporate into my designs. Vaporwave is a new art style characterized by unreal, collage, and disorder features that I find appealing. I present this visual style in a fluid manner, using blue, pink, and purple to combine the internet and ancient ways to express nostalgia. My goal is to create a series with a fantastic, hazy style that evokes a sense of vapor.

I enjoy exploring steam wave elements and combining them into my designs, mixing functional and neutral styles with Vaporwave's aesthetic. For my primary fabric, I'll use leatherwear in different colors for different parts of each look. I designed the pockets specifically to have a more masculine and three-dimensional look, with multiple "bags" on each design. This approach enhances the collection's Vaporwave aesthetic.

Isabella Bowman / BFA Knitwear Design
California

My graduate thesis collection, “String Theory,” draws inspiration from the physics theory that everything in the universe is made of tiny, vibrating, twisting, and folding strings with at least 10 to 26 dimensions. As a knitwear major, I used yarns as my medium to create the tension and mystery of living in our basic 3-D reality while having an intuitive inkling of the vastly complex realities beyond our mind's grasp.

The collection is 100% fully fashioned knitwear, producing less waste than cut and sewed garments. It uses wiry linen yarn and soft cotton yarn, all-natural fibers that can biodegrade, and expresses a natural color palette. The project explores how a single one-dimensional strand of yarn can create an infinite amount of shapes and how multiple panels can connect and create a three-dimensional garment. I experimented with knitting large swatches and used my string theory research to develop patterns that mimic scientific diagrams.

Jia Yu / BFA Fashion Design, Online
China

My senior thesis collection challenges the stigma and shame surrounding different skin conditions or scars that many people have. It is common for people with skin conditions to feel inferior. I encourage everyone to embrace these so-called "defects" and understand they are beautiful.

The inspiration for the bubble shape in my design comes from rashes and blisters that grow on the skin. At the same time, my series mainly uses princess dress silhouettes, empowering girls to be confident even with skin diseases. These afflictions are not ugly; they help you become a princess or queen.

Kirsty Janine Benitez Torres / BFA Fashion Design
Mexico

For my senior thesis collection, I was inspired by the word phantasmagoria and the fear of the unknown, an emotion I often felt during the pandemic, a time in my life filled with uncertainty. I wanted to express the feeling of anxiety and create comfortable and safe clothing to soothe the feelings of uncertainty and anxiety while still acknowledging those feelings. I wanted my clothes to give people a sense of security, safety, and comfort, like a blanket I used to make me feel less anxious and calmer in times of uncertainty.

Laura Lambert / BFA Fashion Design
California

Recipient of the Academy of Art University Presidential Scholarship to participate in the exchange program at Kingston University 2023-2024

Traveling around the world touring with the Grateful Dead and selling reworked clothing is when I truly fell in love with festival clothing. I based my senior thesis collection on the Psychedelic Renaissance, which heavily reminds me of hippie culture and the things I would see traveling on the road touring with the Grateful Dead. This collection has many eye-catching patterns and textures, from rhinestones to drip-dyed patterns.

The hexagon shape is another inspiration in this collection and can be found throughout the silhouettes of the garments. Hexagons are the shape of the flower of life, which all ties in with the psychedelic renaissance. After graduating, I will be studying for a year at Kingston University in London as recipient of Academy of Art University’s Presidential Scholarship.

Lu "Cherry" Cheng / MFA Fashion Design
China

My grandmother introduced me to sewing at a young age, inspiring me to create garments for myself and even my pet rabbit. While I have a passion for sewing and designing, I lack knowledge of the business side of the fashion industry. My collection draws inspiration from the texture and colors of clouds, as well as the character of Lolita. I used transparent fabrics and tulle to create a voluminous silhouette that plays nicely with light. My designs stand out with their unique use of all-transparent fabrics and personally created printed patterns. My greatest inspiration comes from nature, and I believe we should all draw from it.

Luiz Alvarez / BFA Knitwear
California

The "Destination to Nowhere" is a project that explores the concept of the ultimate goal we are all pursuing, which lacks a specific path or destination. The primary focus is to take a unique path that suits oneself. This project is entirely based on knitwear, and I will be employing techniques that enable me to create each piece's precise shape, minimizing any waste.

Lydia Ross Buesgens / BFA Fashion Design
Minnesota

I prioritize sustainability in my designs, using up-cycled men's dress shirts sourced from Goodwill Outlet bins. Scraps from the collection are incorporated in innovative ways, exemplifying the future of fashion as circular. I designed the collection backwards to show how garments can be deconstructed and reconstructed into new designs. The six looks fit within each other, demonstrating the versatility of up-cycled fabrics. The garments are dyed a blue cyanotype print in collaboration with a textile student Sophia Marie Poulos, symbolizing the transformation from "white collar" capitalism to "blue collar" streetwear. I aim to disrupt the trend cycle and promote sustainable fashion as the way forward for the next generation.

Max Piccardo / BFA Fashion Design
Italy

Recipient of the Academy of Art University Presidential Scholarship to participate in the exchange program at Kingston University 2023-2024

For my senior thesis collection, I wanted to explore and utilize interesting patterning techniques. I pulled heavy inspiration from the strait jacket. For me, the strait jacket symbolizes the constraint that mental illness can have on your life. Through this collection, I have found a way to express my depression and anxiety in a way you can't with words.

I made all pieces in my collection with unbleached muslin fabric which I created the textile for. The print is unique as I covered someone in black paint and had them roll over the material as if they were restrained and trying to break free. After graduating, I will be studying for a year at Kingston University in London as recipient of Academy of Art University’s Presidential Scholarship.

Meixi Liu / BFA Fashion Design
China

After I moved from China to San Francisco, I found an old quilt with unique Chinese prints. This quilt was the foundation behind my "Back To My Childhood" spring/summer thesis collection. I explore the furniture structure, garment materials, and tones of vintage photographs in this collection to develop my designs.

For the prints, I was inspired by retro floral patterns often found on vintage bed sheets and created a design with contrasting colors and proportions. I use digital printing to simulate the texture of stitching on quilts. I began my process by manipulating the fabric in parts on the form, then collaged pieces together to create the finished design.

Nayik Rodriguez / BFA Fashion Design, Online
Maryland

My senior thesis collection is called “Haunted Love.” It is about a living doll who got her heart broken. I wanted to portray a collection with a melancholy, creepy, and fun feel, featuring teddy bears and cats with five eyes, broken hearts, and acidic colors to create a nightmare that feels like a "trip."

I incorporate corsetry, a clash of fabrics, wild and vivid pastel colors, and creepy-cute illustrations made to look like stickers. I used a mix of fabrics for this collection, including ribbon, scuba, sherpa, sequin mesh, custom print, nylon, and faux fur.

Qing "Jennie" Shu / MFA Fashion Design
China

Our concept is the coexistence of nature and humanity. For our collection, we used textures of plants and leaves, starting with experiments of wrapping them around our hands and adapting them to the human body. We also tried using flower arrangements to find the best shapes for the garments. By playing with fabrics, draping, and pleating, we created bionic shapes that resemble butterflies, leaves, and flowers. Our goal was to evoke the imagery of the Garden of Eden. We focused on using a variety of fabrics that draped, pleated, and reflected natural textures. Our 3D sketches had intricate details, and we selected fabrics that conformed well to the body.

Rachel Mickiewicz / BFA Fashion Design
New Jersey

I grew up in a small town in Northwest New Jersey, where I spent my childhood outdoors and exploring my creativity. My interest in mending garments started at a young age due to my family's history of tailoring. Despite my initial interest in environmental science, I wanted to pursue a career that involved more hands-on work, leading me to study fashion design. Over the years, I gained experience creating and altering garments and interacting with clients in the luxury fashion industry.

My senior thesis collection is inspired by my childhood spent outdoors and my current work in the bridal industry. I aimed to create a balance between durable outdoor fibers and classic bridal fabrics in my collection, which features clean and tailored garments paired with organic draping and movement. Each look in my collection features canvas, paired with fabrics such as tulle, chiffon, and stretch mesh to create a dynamic interplay between tailored, clean lines and organic draping and movement. Although these two subject matters may seem disparate, I have created a cohesive final product that showcases the unique balance between these two worlds.

Reena Diaa / BFA Fashion Design, Online
Iraq/Maryland

I was born in Iraq and came to the US as a refugee. I came by myself with no family or anyone that I knew. I was homeless for six months.

Visually, my designs look heavy, representing my refugee experience as I was only able to carry one backpack. Throughout my journey, the pack felt so heavy as I carried it between airports, to the point where my shoulder and lower back hurt and felt like my backbones were crashing. I highlighted the shoulders and exaggerated the designs in places to represent how I felt that day.

Savannah Hou / BFA Fashion Design
China

During the process of creating my collection, I was inspired by a poem called "Ode to the Lotus Flower" by Zhou Dunyi. Zhou Dunyi was an ancient Chinese poet of the Song Dynasty. The poem expresses the images and qualities of the lotus flower, a symbol of purity and resilience.

I utilized digitally printed fabrics in my collection. Each design represents my impression of the lotus flower when it is in bloom at different times of the summer. I used flounces and pleats in my design process, reflecting an overall sense of elegance and flow, just like the Lotus flower.

Sitong Guo / BFA Fashion Design, Online
China

I passionately believe everyone–no matter what size–has the right to enjoy fashion. Many people judge a woman’s worth by her size and looks. In fashion, too, the demands on women’s bodies are high. Models often are tall with S-shaped curves, and society pays attention to the figure, not the fashion ensemble.

My senior thesis collection was designed for various shapes and sizes to promote body positivity. The designs feature bagginess, layers, exaggerated silhouettes, and cut-outs to accentuate. The tones for this collection are bright and lively, adding to the notion of positivity and the embrace of all shapes in fashion.

Sophia Marie Poulos / BFA Textile Design
California

My design ethos starts with sustainability. I use upcycled and hand-dyed clothing as a protest against fast fashion and to promote ethical practices in the fashion industry. As Lead Community Organizer for Remake, I organize events such as clothing swaps, natural dye workshops, and creating unique pieces to educate and encourage the public to practice conscious habits in fashion.

This collection is a collaboration with fashion design student Lydia Ross Buesgens. It is made from upcycled white dress shirts and dyed blue using alternative processes such as cyanotype, as a nod to the OR Foundation's "Dead White Man's Clothes" research project. This project aims to highlight the societal fault of excess clothing in Global South countries, which adds to pollution. The collection will transform white collar to blue collar, featuring a large masculine trench coat and small feminine silhouettes, with prints of feminine undergarments throughout.

Our goal is to promote a justice-led circular economy by incorporating all textile "waste" such as trimmings and scraps in the collection. We sourced all materials from the Goodwill warehouse bails, with 99.9% of the collection being post-consumer materials, except for interfacing.

Sydney Curry / BFA Textile Design
Nevada

I was born in Las Vegas, NV, and moved around frequently during my childhood in the western United States. I developed a love for fashion and art early on, teaching myself to sew at eight and always keeping a sketchbook handy. In college, I pursued fashion design but found my passion lay in textile design, blending my artistic and fashion interests. Our collection with Rachel Mickiewicz draws inspiration from strolls through gardens, blending rugged workwear and elegant bridal wear. The muted autumnal colors and floral motifs feature in heavyweight canvas and sheer fabrics. The contrasting fabrics add visual interest, and the floral motifs reflect an artist's exploration of their childhood garden.

Taylor Saint / BFA Fashion Design
North Carolina

Recipient of the Academy of Art University Presidential Scholarship to participate in the exchange program at Kingston University 2023-2024

Fashion should not only look good, but it should also do good for the planet. For my senior thesis collection, I wanted to use functional materials with a story to tell. I knew I had found something I could use when I came across a rope donated by avid climbers seeking a second life for their gear.

Using the rope yarn as a starting point, I experimented with different colors and textures to create a cohesive collection. I carefully cut and pulled apart the strands of the rope to make a yarn that was soft to the touch but still had the strength and resilience of the original material. After graduating, I will be studying for a year at Kingston University in London as recipient of Academy of Art University’s Presidential Scholarship.

Xiaolin "Lynn" Yu / MFA Fashion Design
China

My collection is inspired by the Japanese art of Origami, which involves folding paper into intricate shapes. However, I use fabric instead of paper and cut it into several layers. In China, there is a tradition of cutting and pasting origami designs in windows.

To create my designs, I fold and drape garments according to my preferred technique, which is deconstructed vintage. I use materials such as flannel, vinyl, and polyester to complete the collection, focusing on sustainability by using cut-off materials in inventive ways. My approach is spontaneous and intuitive, resulting in fascinating combinations of fabrics.

Yu Hsuen Hu / MFA Fashion Design
Taiwan

We found inspiration in nature for our collection, using plants and leaves to create textures. Starting with wrapping leaves around our hands, we progressed to draping them on the human body to form the perfect silhouette. We experimented with flower arrangements to find the best shapes for our garments, resulting in pleated and bionic shapes resembling butterflies, leaves, and flowers. We utilized various fabric characteristics to create the ideal draping effect and reflected natural textures through pleating. Creating 3D sketches with meticulous details allowed us to complete the look, and after analyzing fabric stores, we found the perfect one to support our concept.

Zijian "Harley" Tang / BFA Fashion Design, Online
China

My thesis project revolves around the theme of whale fall, which refers to the event where a whale carcass sinks to the ocean floor and provides nutrients that sustain deep-sea communities for years. The patterns found on the whale's body serve as my primary source of inspiration for the design, with the dress being the main silhouette and the season being fall.

I believe that whale fall is highly significant for the entire ecology as it creates a localized ecosystem that sustains deep-sea communities for a prolonged period. This, in turn, enhances the biodiversity and functioning of deep-sea ecosystems while providing scientists with unique opportunities to study these poorly understood habitats.