AAU Shapes the Future of Fashion Industry

Highlights from the 2014 AAU Graduation Fashion Show

When it comes to fashion and design, Academy of Art University is unbeatable. Each year, they give birth to new and amazing designs that brings fashion in a frenzy and giving some new and interesting edge and going to a whole new level.

Every show they put up, they have lots of surprises. AAU fashion events are one of the most anticipated events of the year, and the only show that manages to bring together fashionistas across world. It creates moments that shakes the fashion world with a wide array of excitements.

AAU is really, indeed shaping the FUTURE of the Fashion Industry.

For more on AAU, check out Academy of Art University's Graduate Fashion Show and for more fashion shows and events, visit Fashion Glitter

Genieve Prescod's Passion for Fashion

She was among the 11 students who graduated from the University of T&T’s Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design on June 22. Genieve Prescod is a young woman with a passion for fashion.

Over the past four years, Prescod and the other students pursued studies in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. At the graduation, each student was required to present a mini collection in which they unveiled six concepts before the large audience. The event was aptly titled Beyond Limits. Prescod’s collection was Tenebras Circum. She later spoke to Sunday Vibe and shared her passion, vision and mission for the local fashion industry.

Q: What or who made you study design?
A: I’ve always had an interest in artistic and creative fields of study. Of all the various creative fields, fashion design was the most appealing to me.

How would you describe your designs?
My designs are edgy and unique with a sophisticated touch, and attention to detail.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration in everything, but I am mainly inspired by the Victorian-era fashion and Japanese street fashion, such as the “visual kei” and “lolita” styles.

Do you have a style/fashion icon?
Although I do not really look to any particular person as a style/fashion icon that I would emulate or draw inspiration from, I do admire the personal style of Amy Lee of Evanescence.

Are there designers that influence your style?
Seth Aaron Henderson and Alexander.

What is your approach to a collection?
Inspiration! Research! Brainstorm! When I am inspired by something, I research it thoroughly, collecting information and reference pictures. Then, using what I have learned, I envision a fashion story based on that inspiration and brainstorm various designs until I come up with the design elements I think suit the story best. Once I have found the elements I like best for that story, I then work towards designing a cohesive collection based on those elements to portray the story of my inspiration.

What are your favourite colours, colour combinations and textiles?
I always get teased about patriotism for this, but my absolute favourite colour combination is red, black and white. My favourite individual colours would be black, red, pink and purple. As for fabrics, I have an intense love for leather or anything resembling leather. I also fall easily in love with anything that has a houndstooth print, pattern or texture.

How do you define your personal sense of style?
My personal sense of style is somewhat gothic, but also fun and flirty. My style reflects the various sides of my personality, and I often dress to reflect my mood.

New to the business, what motivates you? Read more...
Check out New York Fashion Academy's 9th Annual Fashion Show on Fashion Glitter

NYC Full Figured Fashion Week

The fashion world is about to be thrown a curve ball.

For three days starting on June 16, the catwalks will be filled with models showing off the styles from the premier designers from all over the world who specialize in flattering the figures of women over a size 12.

The third annual Full Figured Fashion Week is all about the sizes that are largely ignored by the mainstream fashion world and snubbed during the hoopla of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

The interest this year has been overwhelming. Events have sold out, and women are clamoring for tickets to the shows. Gwen Devoe, the organizer of Full Figured Fashion Week, expects over 1,000 people to attend the grand finale showcase.

"It's been crazy," said Devoe. "It's just exploding. Women are finally getting a chance to see fashion come alive on models with bodies they can relate to."

The event is answering the call from all the plus-size women who want one thing: The same choices in the marketplace that their skinnier sisters get.  They want variety and good quality at a fair price.

"Plus-size women in America want fashionable, well-made clothes," said Devoe. "We have money to spend. and we're happy to give it to the designers and stores who help us celebrate our curves."

There are events for buyers, bloggers, models and sponsors as well as sample sales, trunk shows and a shopping crawl for out-of-town fashionistas who want to see what New York City has to offer fuller-figured shoppers. Read more...

Sexy swimwear, high-end eveningwear, shoes and cocktail dresses will be on display for women who want a little individuality in their wardrobe and not just to shop at the big department stores.

"A lot of clothing for plus-sized women is just really ugly," said Rachel Kacenjar, the Cleveland-based designer of Sweetooth Couture.  "There's a lot of business-casual apparel but really not very much for women who want something different or unusual."

Kacenjar designs for larger-size women with a taste for retro glamour.  With an accent on comfortable and flattering fabrics, she creates sexy dresses, skirts and tops that go from the office to the dance floor.

For designers who love what they see on the ready-to-wear runways, the options for plus-sized women can be disheartening. Read more...

Check out Plus Size Samples for the Runway on Fashion Glitter.

Pheline showcases at the Full Figured Fashion Week...

Spring Fashion Show 2014 - Columbus College of the Art and Design

Columbus College of Art and Design was the site for 2014 Spring fashion show. a capacity crowd gathered along the NY styled runway front-row seats were reserved for fashion industry executives, magazine, the city mayor, and other who's who in the fashion industry. A standing-room-only crowd lined behind the VIP seating area giving it a touch of Paris.

The designers were graduating seniors who collaborated with underclassmen in the program to model their fashion creations. 

The event has been held for several years, but in 2007 it was changed into a New York-style runway show. It is now a major fundraising event for the college, garnering about $200,000 this year for the general scholarship fund.

Check out Columbus College of Art and Design 2013 Senior Fashion Show on Fashion Glitter.

The NEXT BIG NAMES in Fashion

Check some of the best highlights from 2014's SCAD Senior Fashion Show

Savannah College of Art and Design's Annual Fashion Show took place May 17th. This year it was held at the SCAD Museum of Art. Stephen Burrows received the Andre Leon Talley Life Time Achievement award.

For Fashionistas and fashion experts in the industry, May is always marked for SCAD's Fashion Event, and definitely one event you don't want to miss.

Every year, they got a new line-up of equally talented and promising designers who creates unique designs and every year, SCAD never fails to offer something new. This year, they have set the bars again by producing some of the most exquisite and attention grabbing master pieces, something you would be thinking about and looking out for after leaving the show. And you cannot wait to see these designs in stores and be the first to grab them.

It is indeed remarkable how SCAD does it every time, finding the best and most passionate and carefully guiding these young designers and developing their skills and preparing them to compete among the bests in the fashion world.

The Show has just concluded but people are already anticipating next year's. 

Check out more student-run fashion shows on Fashion Glitter

Highlights from Central Saint Martins BA Graduate Catwalk Show 2013



There are 2 things the CSM student designers showed that night; the idea that women’s wear and men’s wear can be interchangeable and indefinable. Many of the designs worn by men can be worn by women and vice-versa, which is really awesome.

Second is that the clubbing thing is back, most of the designs looked as if the models are ready for big party; there were neon colors, disco fabrics, shaggy and lose or oversized coats and pants. Really cool designs.

Check out more student-run fashion shows on Fashion Glitter

Nottingham designer has big dreams of conquering the couture fashion world

Amber-Louise Snow with her jumper design

hand stitching and sewing from her spare bedroom, young designer Amber-Louise Snow may be starting small but she has already been inundated with fashion possibilities.

The 22 year old proudly showcased her self-named collection in London last month at Graduate Fashion Week, and now has big plans to take her couture clothing to the Big Apple.

But she insists that she still wants to be known as a Nottingham designer - the place where her passion for fashion started.

"My real education and knowledge started here," says Amber, who was raised just over the Derbyshire border, in Borrowash. "I feel like I've spent a lot of time in the city and it's widely-recognised as a stylish place," Read more...

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University of Ulster Graduate Fashion Show 2014

The University of Ulster launched an impressive line-up for the 2014 Ulster Festival of Art & Design, which includes some of the most creative and inspiring minds from the film, fashion, music and business worlds.

Running from 10-14 March, the festival showcased nearly forty separate events that brought the very best of international creativity and innovation to local audiences.

David Bowie’s album designer, Johnathan Barnbrook; Jane McCann, technical designer for Nike; Sandra Scott, Harry Potter’s special effects producer; Chanel’s fashion forecaster, Beryl Gibson; Paul Smith’s shop designers, 6a, and acclaimed photographer Martin Parr, are among the line-up that have showcased the impact of art and design with the university.

The University of Ulster’s very own Professor Greg Maguire who worked on Oscar winning films, Avatar and Harry Potter also hosted an animation workshop for young people. Kano, the DIY computer kit company, demonstrated how design turned their concept into an international business success.

Launching the programme, festival Director Tim Kerr said: “Art and design played a much bigger part in our daily lives than we actually realise. From the films we watched and the buildings we worked in, to the very clothes we wear, art, design and creativity enhance our surroundings each and every day.

“Ulster’s 2014 festival line up provided the public, and the students, with access to some of the most influential and creative minds in the world. Surely that the diverse range of events offered showcased the creative flair that enriches the lives and inspired future generations.”

The festival has a packed schedule of activities including the Belfast International Festival of Performance Art as well as a landmark exhibition of work by University of Ulster and Yale University photography graduates and the most anticipated event – where student designers have had the opportunity to showcase their final collection during the Graduate Fashion Show held and produced by the University each year.

The event took place in Belfast. It was as always jam-packed with professionals and fashionistas from different parts of the worlds for the reason that they always come up with such a fun-tastic show.

Each year, Ulster never fails to impress the right people in the industry, producing promising up and coming talents who caters something fresh and unique. This year has a line-up of impressive and immensely creative designers showcasing designs that were current but very unique, collection with interesting features, cuts and layers and amazing combination of colors and choices of textiles and just leaving in awe of the fantastic pieces that walked on the ramp.

Although the designs were different, edgy in some but they were not overly designed and are totally wearable. Often we see designs that are fully layered and looked really chic and glam, but it does not fit the ordinary taste, it does not comfortable and in the sense is not wearable especially to the masses.

This is where Ulster designers excel, they meet the fashion taste of the majority. They make fantastic and fashionable designs that are not just appealing but absolutely comfortable to wear.

Check out some of the fantastic designs and highlights from the show;

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Photo Credits: universityofulster

Learn more about the University of Ulster;

Face book:        universityofulsterofficial

Twitter:             @UlsterUni

Flickr:               universityofulster

Contact:           pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk

Phone:              (028) 9036 6178

Celebrate Fashion’s Night with Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

FIDM's "Red Carpet Gowns" Fashion Show

Each year, the FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduating fashion students come up with a spectacular and awesome runway show, filled with glittering light, color and amazingly interesting designs of clothing and apparel.

It is an annual event that features fashion designs and collections of graduating students, aside from giving this up and coming fashion designers the opportunity to showcase their talents, the show is also designed to call upon the industry’s notables and fashion celebrities and media to help FIDM’s Scholarship Program.

Joshua Christensen

It has been successful for many years now; the show is always jam-packed with thousands of people, whether to witness a spectacular show or search for fresh new designs and talents or to just have fun. The FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students never disappoint what the audience expects to see, they always serve unique designs that you would want and love to wear.

   

It is one show in a year that most “fashionistas” and the who’s who in the fashion world would not want to miss out on.

        Chelsea Dowell

They are fresh, they are fun and interesting and most of all they are doing it to promote and develop love for art, encourage young individuals to pursue their dreams and they are doing it for a good cause.

For more information about FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, please visit fidm.edu or call 800.624.1200 (within the U.S. and Canada) or 213.624.1201(internationally).

Check out more student-run fashion shows on Fashion Glitter

The Institute of Portland Annual Student Fashion Show

The design students from the Institute of Portland showcased their designs and collections and it were impressive and gained a lot of positive responses and feedbacks.

The graduating students have worked on a lot designs on different categories for men and women and even including children’s wear.

Each design student will design on garments, choose their models that will walk the runway and wear their designs as well as see to the background music or video graphics.

It was interesting how each designer presented their collections, their very unique ideas.

The collections were very wearable and comfortable, current and easy-breezy and what they would refer to as marketable designs.

Put on the stores and you’re sure it’ll sell in an instant. You would kind of like and love to wear them and know that it will look good.

They have proven that simplicity is better than having too much of a detail. The audience loves the puff skirts over some really cool boots and some interesting mix of colors and textiles.

For more information about the Art Institute of Portland visit their website on http://www.artinstitutes.edu/portland/  or contact ndominguez@edmc.edu

Find more student-run fashion shows on Fashion Glitter.

Students from Heriot-Watt’s School of Textiles and Design used Scottish Borders as Backdrop for Fashion Show

Students from Heriot-Watt’s School of Textiles and Design put the focus back on the Scottish Borders’ rich and diverse textile heritage by hosting their annual fashion show at the home of Sir Walter Scott.

They launched their 2014 collection at Abbotsford House on Saturday 31 May with a catwalk erected in a marquee in the grounds of the 19th century house overlooking the River Tweed.

The show celebrated the innovation, technological expertise, craft skills and cutting-edge design displayed in the work of students, including Harris Tweed floor length gowns and a sports collection that uses specialised knitted fabrics which keep athletes cool.A tribute to Bernat Klein. 

As well as the fashion show, The Degree Show exhibition, showcasing the work of all graduating students of the School of Textiles and Design, was launched within the historic High Mill building at Heriot-Watt’s Scottish Borders Campus. It included work from the first graduating Scottish Fashion Communication students. This year alongside the degree show there is a tribute to the late Galashiels-based textile designer and artist, Bernat Klein. Students have taken inspiration from Klein’s distinctive use of colour and texture to create a highly visual display.

Fiona Waldron, Head of School of Textiles and Design, said, “We’ve previously held our Graduate Fashion Show in Edinburgh but this year we wanted to return to the Scottish Borders, the heart of the luxury textile sector. Much focus is coming back to the Borders with Chanel recently purchasing the Barrie cashmere mill and Bernat Klein’s enduring influence.

“We’re incredibly proud to be based in Galashiels, which is world renowned for its cashmere, weaving and textile industries made famous by big brands such as Pringle, Belinda Robertson and Lyle and Scott. We’re excited to have the beautiful Abbotsford House as a backdrop to the fashion show this year, mixing cutting-edge style at the forefront of the fashion industry with history, culture and of course those stunning views over the River Tweed.” Read more...

Check out OHM Charity Fashion Show 2014 and more on Fashion Glitter 

Annual Silver Needle Fashion Show

The Marist College Fashion Program educates 400 students in fashion design and merchandising. An intensive curriculum with minors in business and product development is paired with a study of classic liberal arts. An exceptional internship program, partnering with leading fashion companies, and nationally ranked study abroad programs are hallmarks of the Marist College Fashion experience.

The four-year curriculum begins with an orientation to the entire fashion industry, forming an understanding of the big picture from initial concept and design through manufacturing to marketing of the finished product. Students may also enhance their classroom experience through the Marist International Programs (MIP) by spending a semester in Paris, London, or Florence.

Throughout the year, preparations are highly intensive for the program’s annual Silver Needle Fashion Show, the culmination of each academic year, which is designed and produced as a collaborative effort between faculty & students. Senior design and merchandising students will close out their senior year by creating a collection of garments and developing a comprehensive business plan for a fashion company, respectively.

According to the Coca-Cola Company’s specifications, students created a shirt design. Sophomore designer Renee Marilyn Tomic won the $2500 1st prize scholarship from Diet Coke and CFDA STAY EXTRAORDINARY Design Challenge. Marist had four designs to make it to the top twenty; the runner up winners were Brianna Sherlock, Victoria Schermerhorn, and Adele Jackson, winning $250 scholarships.

Senior merchandising students Samantha Duke, Megan Walsh, and Victoria Nolan went to Paris with capstone instructor Jodi Hartmann and fashion department director Radley Cramer. The students went to present their well researched project to the owner of Griproix, the luxury jewelry company, which is closely tied to the finest names of Haute Couture.

Nicole Rodgers, Junior design student was awarded the 2013 Geoffrey Beene $30,000 scholarship and 7 students were awarded $5,000 each from YMA Fashion Scholarships.

You can find more information about Marist College Fashion Program on marist.edu and for more information, contact fashion@marist.edu

Find more student-run fashion shows on Fashion Glitter

What would you wear if there is nothing left?

“What would you wear if there is nothing left?” This is the concept and theme for the student fashion show made by student designers and members of the Colorado State University’s Department of Design and Merchandising, they called it – The Last Runway Fashion Show.

Student designers working on a recycled piece…

It is quite amazing and fun, given that the whole concept is to make a collection of trendy and beautiful dresses out of recycled materials.

They have to come up with a very unique design and use materials that you would not think of using for a dress and or something that you thought should end up in the garbage in the first and when put together in dress can actually look amazing.

You can’t help but be amazed at how incredibly talented and creative these young designers are, when they tell what materials they use – the people would all go like, what?! Wow?!

The reason why they came up with such a brilliant idea is to inspire designers in creating designs that reflects futuristic concepts and militant survival-based civilization as well as, to promote the Clean Environment advocacy – the 3R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle.

There were many fashion professionals, designers, celebrities and people from the fashion and art magazines and the media who were in attendance, and they were all quite impressed.

At the end of the show, the tickets were raffled and winners received various gift cards courtesy by local businesses in Fort Collins.

Proceeds were also donated to charities programs to help young designers and artists pursue their dreams.

This piece is 100% made of recycled materials…

You would have not guessed some of the designs to be of recycled materials if you do not know the show’s theme. The show was a blast, there were a lot of laughs shared and it was a success. For more fashion shows check out Fashion Glitter

Find out more about Colorado State University Department of Design and Merchandising;

Website: dm.chhs.colostate.edu

Contact: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk 

Fashion Design for Dreamers

Now in its 14th year, Habitus Baltija has become one of the biggest       fashion events in the Baltics. An acclaimed international competition for young fashion designers, Habitus Baltija 2014 coincided with two essential Latvian cultural events, Riga Culture Capital 2014 and Riga  Fashion and Textile Week. As the reputation of the competition balloons on the Baltics’ cultural calendar, so too does the prestige of winning.

The Best Designer award went to Anna Alanko of Finland for her collection, SS14. Alanko is an alumna of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland. She has been featured in Finland’s edition of Elle magazine, interned in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Finland, and worked in Japan. In addition to the title of the Best Fashion Designer, Alanko also won a certificate of Summer Courses at IED Milan, Italy, an invitation to take part in Fashion Week Belarus, free publicity from the fashion portal Not Just a Label and an invitation to participate in the Fashion Mill competition in Minsk, Belarus.

You’ve worked throughout Europe and most recently in Japan. How have the places you’ve worked in influenced your designs?
Travelling in general is inspiring. But living in foreign cities, experiencing them as a local might and working alongside people from diverse origins is even better - you get a deeper insight into different cultures and customs. Having worked in various fashion and textile companies in Europe, having visited producers, textile mills and designers in Japan, China and Korea, I’ve been able to observe and take part in different creative processes, which has introduced me to new working methods, which in turn has made me a bolder, more playful designer.

Did you have an epiphany moment when you realized you wanted to be a designer?
Not really. It was more of a process. I knew from a very early age I wanted to do something creative, but finding my field was a little bit challenging. As a teenager I went to an art high school, which gave me the opportunity to take all the art classes I wanted, so I did basically everything from ceramics to oil painting and from woodblock printing to photography. During my studies, I realized that being a designer suited me better than being an artist, so I applied to study fashion design and photography and ended up getting in the Fashion and Clothing Design program in Aalto University. At university I realized that besides fashion design I also want to do textile design, because an amazing textile creates a foundation for a great garment.

What qualities do you look for in a fabric? Click here for more...
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Standout Looks! from SCAD's Student Fashion Show 2014

Stephen Burrows may have been the honoree at SCAD on Saturday night, but the graduating students were the true focus as they showed off their final collections for friends and family.

This year's student fashion show at Savannah College of Art and Design was shown for the first time at SCAD's Museum of Art. The facility, which opened in 2011, was the perfect backdrop for the students' hard work. 

Many of the pieces wouldn't have looked out of place on a runway at New York Fashion Week, or even internationally. Hannah Amundson's all-gold collection centered around words used to describe her generation and its social media obsession (Bonus points for the use of "vainglorious"); Amber Nifong burned out rayon to turn it into a couture fabric. Wesley Berryman's unisex line included a pair of pants which where sheer from the knee down and a pink coat I want to wear this fall. Read more...

Amber Nifong

Beverly Sung

Junghwa Shin

Katherine Absher

Jiaren Du

Leah Smith

TracyAnn Wallace

Check out more photos...

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John Moores University BA Fashion Students impressive showcase on London's Graduate Fashion Week

Highlights from GFW 2013 - Liverpool John Moores University


BA Fashion Students of Liverpool, John Moores University showcased their spectacular designs during the 2 day Graduate Fashion Week in London last June 201.

They showcased innovative cutting and structure demonstrated across the board and provided eclectic mergence of traditional garment structuring and deconstructed futuristic fabric cuts.

The overall standard of the Liverpool John Moores Catwalk was remarkably high, with developed structural technique demonstrated through out. Read more...

Francesca Sciambarella

Katie Davidson

Checkout more highlights; gfw blog 

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Fashionistas... Attendance is a MUST!

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY'S GRADUATE FASHION WEEK 2014

Kingston University students are busy putting the finishing touches to their collections as they prepare to unveil their latest work to some of the biggest names in the business during next month’s Graduate Fashion Week showcase.

Everyone, fashionistas from different points and parts of the world are invited to the show at the Old Truman Brewery on Monday 2 June 8:00 pm – but be quick if you’d like tickets, seats are going fast.

The 24 Kingston students who will display their latest work to a host of influential industry experts will be showcasing an eclectic array of menswear, women's wear and knitwear on the catwalk. 

Some of the stars of this year’s crop of Kingston student designers include Lauren Lake and Mayya Agayeva. Lauren’s graduate collection, inspired by the expeditions of Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, has already caught the eye of leading British fashion photographer Rankin, who picked out one of her striking statement pieces for a photo shoot to promote Graduate Fashion Week. 

Ukrainian-born Mayya, meanwhile, was one of 12 students from across the country selected to give a sneak preview of a handful of designs at a special Graduate Fashion Week event at the Houses of Parliament earlier this month.

For more information;

David Blackmore and Juanita West

Press Office

T 0208 417 3034

E press@kingston.ac.uk

Check out some highlights from 2013's Kingston University's GFW

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CCSF "Midnight Metropolis" Fashion Show

From last year's CCSF "Haute Mystique" Fashion Show

The only entirely student-produced fashion show in Northern California happens annually in San Francisco -- and is completely planned, designed, and run by CCSF students.

Now in its 13th year, the CCSF fashion show will feature clothing designed by seven CCSF fashion design students who are competing for a scholarship to the Academy of Art University.

From 2013 CCSF "Haute Mystique" Fashion Show

Although only one student was awarded a scholarship after last year's show, three out of the seven students will get a scholarship this year.

Called "Midnight Metropolis," the show will feature San Francisco-themed décor, such as an illuminated cityscape in the entryway and decorations imitating the look of various S.F. neighborhoods.

From 2013 CCSF "Haute Mystique" Fashion Show

This is also the first year that there will be a photo booth at the show, which will be provided by the Bay Area-based photo booth company Say Ya! and also be S.F.-cityscape themed. Read more...

If you'd like to help CCSF fund this show, and future fashion shows, check out their crowd-funding page.

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