Emerging Designers’ Precision Tailored Collections Premiered to Fashion’s Elite at New York Fashion Week

September 16, 2019 – San Francisco, CA — MFA graduate designers from the Academy of Art University School of Fashion presented 9 visionary and elevated collections to a capacity crowd at the Skylight on Vesey on Sunday, September 8, 2019 as part of New York Fashion Week.

Attended by top editors, industry elite, recruiters, and high-profile influencers, the highly anticipated runway show proved an eye-opening showcase of what is to come in the high-fashion industry. This new generation showed unparalleled creativity in womenswear, menswear, textiles, and knitwear developed under the guidance of Simon Ungless, Executive Director of the School of Fashion.

“This season’s designers are staying true to what fashion is—meticulous work with fabrics and silhouettes, while facing the shifting rules of the industry with knowledge and skills,” said Ungless. “Their approach elevates the nature and art of their designs.”

Ten individuals pose for professional headshots against a plain white background. Each person expresses a neutral or thoughtful demeanor, wearing varying styles of black tops or jackets.

Menswear

Qing Guo (MFA) opened the show with a celebration of brightly colored, functionally extravagant menswear in billowing lantern motifs referencing the energy of a Lantern Festival.

These vivid garments demonstrated a mastery of form that caught the eye of Suzy Menkes, Editor for Vogue International. “I like that this college focuses entirely on the clothes designed by students,” said Ms. Menkes. “No bells and whistles, but a chance to see the cut and flow of the fabric.”

Chelsea Grays’ (MFA) mixed-media menswear line incorporated sustainable materials and expertly layered screen-printing and felting. This collection was already on the radar of many, including esteemed designer Andre Walker, from buzz garnered at CFDA’s Fashion Future Graduate Showcase.

A model walks confidently wearing an oversized dark shirt, belted wide-leg pants, and sneakers on a dimly lit runway. "UNIVERSITY" appears in the background.

A model walks a fashion runway wearing a structured, all-white outfit with angular details and elongated sleeves. The background is dimly lit with "UNIVERSITY" visible above.

Womenswear

Hanbit Ku’s (MFA) anatomy-inspired collection floated down the runway in black and white geometric silk paired with olive, sage, and burgundy wool. Her innovative designs featured intelligent use of functional zippers that altered each garment’s weight to flatter every curve and complement the female figure.

Ying Jin (MFA) collection of earth-toned designs are inspired by the construction, stability, and structure of a horse saddle. Adorned with sophisticated belts, buttons, and metallic closures in waxed-cotton and coated microfiber, Ying’s saddle-shaped designs were a powerful close to an impressive New York Fashion Week presentation.

Model wears a bold, floral-patterned jacket with oversized sleeves, paired with gradient blue-to-white skirt and white shoes, walking confidently on a textured runway in a dimly lit fashion show.

WATCH the Graduate Fashion Show at NYFW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtW7gdWfQco

Runway Photographs by Getty Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/4T1NrWurUz

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Press:
Gabriel Joshua Gima / 415.618.3802 / ggima@academyart.edu
Lauren Victoria Schrader / 415.618.7354 / lschrader@academyart.edu