Academy of Art show students

February 17, 2009 njaiyo 0 Comments

Since 2005, the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University in San Francisco has showcased collections of recent graduates during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. This season, one menswear and five womenswear collections from the Fashion Design, Textile Design and Knitwear Design programs were presented in The Tent at Bryant Park. “This University views this opportunity as part of its commitment to help launch the careers of its graduates,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the University.
Since 2005, the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University in San Francisco has showcased collections of recent graduates during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. This season, one menswear and five womenswear collections from the Fashion Design, Textile Design and Knitwear Design programs were presented in The Tent at Bryant Park. “This University views this opportunity as part of its commitment to help launch the careers of its graduates,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the University. “In addition, we create team projects and collaborative collections to help prepare them for the industry they are about to enter. We caught up with the all Asian girl duo of I-Shan Liou and Myoung Hee Kim. Read on to find out how you can launch your fashion career.

I-Shan Liou, Fashion and Knitwear Design

Born and raised in Changhua, Taiwan, I-Shan was inspired by the mood of Sam Francis’ paintings of earth, water, air and fire for her silhouette, color story and irreverent use of soft luxurious angora yarn.

Myoung Hee Kim, Textile Design

Myoung Hee Kim hand painted her bright designs onto paper; heat transferred them onto chiffon and then bonded to I-Shan’s knitted fabrics. She also hand painted rice paper and bonded the paper to the knits. Myoung Hee was born in Seoul, Korea where she spent most of her childhood before moving to British Columbia, Canada.

Designers with model Liu Wen

Both of the girls met each other at school. They worked together and decided to collaborate. There were 3 collaborations this year.

When they graduate, both would like to work for big designers, younger ones, particularly Jason Wu.

Since this University is the ONLY school allowed to show at The Tents, we wanted to know more about the school and the program.

ASIANCE: Is is hard to get into Academy Art?

Academy: The University is open enrollment.

ASIANCE: What do you look for in prospective students?

Academy: Someone who is willing to work hard and open their mind to learn from industry professionals.

ASIANCE: Once you become a student, how to you get to show at Fashion week?

Academy: There is a review committee of internal University instructors and external industry professionals who review capsule collections of the young designers about six months before the show.

ASIANCE: How did the partnership start with NYC Fashion week?

Academy: Fern Mallis of IMG visited the University in San Francisco to check us out. We are honored to be included in the Bryant Park Tents and September 2005 was the first show in NY Fashion Week. The show is like an interview for the young designers to the national and international fashion industry who are in town during NY Fashion Week so it makes sense to help them launch their careers.

ASIANCE: Any success stories after they have shown at Fashion Week?

Academy: Quyen Nguyen, 2006 Fashion and Knitwear Design, (September 2006 NY Show) received such a positive reaction from her knitwear that the NY Show prompted her to go into production. www.quyenknits.com is her site.

Marie Potesto, 2008 Fashion and Knitwear Design, (February 2008 NY Show) has since won the May 2008 Avante Gard award from GenArt NY, will be featured in the upcoming Avant Gardian issue of Surface magazine, and will launch her own line for Fall 2009.

After last season’ show, Michael Fink, VP Women’s Fashion Director of Saks Fifth Avenue, went up to Elena Akoulova to find out her plans, give his card, and to keep in touch. Michael is a great supporter of the University. Elena plans to go into production but also has a newborn baby.

We invite HR, recruiters and designers from companies who could offer the designers jobs. On Friday we had representatives from Donna Karan International, Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, Andrew Buckler, BCBG, etc …