A San Francisco native, BFA Menswear Design major Justin Moreno’s roots may be in the Bay Area but his inspiration for his 2016 Graduation Fashion Show collection came from a more global interest. “I was looking at photos of Afghani skateboarder girls and thought they looked completely amazing and badass skateboarding through the streets of Kabul wearing swirling floral fabric.”

The illustrated lineup for Moreno and Bhandari’s collection, entitled “Daredevils”

The designs combine a dichotomy of Eastern and Western traditions as well as blending the lines between masculine and feminine. “The collection is a culmination of research into vintage European military gear and garments traditionally worn in regions of Afghanistan. With all of my collections there is usually a female element which in this case manifests in the use of florals but also in symbols of modesty such as veils and semi-transparent fabrics.” Drawstring pants bring a sporty edge, while oversized hoods and distressed garments provide a sense of drama.

With experience working at the A.C.T Costume shop, Native Graphix Screen Printing, N.I.C.E collective and Scissors and Cloth, Moreno has developed a well-rounded understanding of clothing and textiles, which has undoubtedly played a role in the development of his debut collection.

Ignoring the cost, what [item of clothing / bag / designer] would you buy right now?

 Distressed wool plaid overcoat with fur patchwork from Thom Browne.

What is your [style] motto?

 Use personal style as tool to develop individual identity. Buy or make clothes you love, mend them as they age, and wear them until you die.

Who are your favorite [fashion] icons and why?

Leigh Bowery for his unrestrained creativity and morbidly glamorous design sense.

Having grown up in Mumbai India, MFA Textile Design major Namrata Bhandari was the perfect match to collaborate with Justin Moreno on his globally inspired menswear collection. Before her start at the Academy of Art University, Bhandari earned a BFA in fashion design in 2011. Outside of her studies, Bhandari has worked for Miroglio Textiles in a country known for their fabrics, Italy. On top of that, her experience also includes interning at 109F and earning the title of Assistant Designer at Linarika in Mumbai.

A page from the moodboard for the collection. Bhandari’s textiles looked to the floral fabrics typically worn by Kabul skatergirls.

Bhandari took her inspiration for the textiles from the swirling floral fabric typically seen on the skater girls in Kabul. Unexpected romantic fabrics provide a sense of luxury to the collection. Baseball caps were constructed out of silk velvet, hoodies made of burnout French terry, and jumpsuits assembled of silk elevate this collection and take it from streetwear to streetluxe.

What is your favorite memory of being in the School of Fashion?
Finding an excuse to go browsing through Vintage stores on Haight Ashbury with friends.

What advice would you give students who want to do collection?
Start out with an open mind without getting too fixated upon a specific idea. Be flexible and willing to make changes and alterations to your original thoughts. In the end you will realize it was all worth it.

What is playing on your iPod?
James Bay, Cocoon and the Catfish.

Written by Samantha Rathman.

BFA Womenswear Design student Jiaqi Lu was born and raised in Zhengzhou, China. After graduating high school, Lu migrated west and enrolled at the Academy of Art University in a bid to actualize her design dreams. As a token of her hard work and artistic talent, Lu is going to present her collection at the School of Fashion’s 2016 Graduation Show.

In spirit of 3D printing, Lu incorporated dimensional, geometric shapes evocative of origami into her dynamic collection. By employing a variety of textiles like crepe silk and textured cotton, Lu was able to construct sculptural designs that are feminine without being too sinuous, sharp without being too stiff.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Jiaqi Lu

Fashion School Daily: What advice would you give students who want to do collection?

Jiaqi Lu: Learn to manage your time!

FSD: What is your style motto?

JL: Perfection is ugly. Don’t follow the rules and don’t get caught up in what other people think—just be yourself.

FSD: What is playing on your iPod?

JL: ‘Ego’ by BIGBANG

Written by Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.

BFA Menswear Design student Ben Ellis is an artist and adventurer, a free spirit with a diverse skill set who has traveled all over the world. But no matter where he ventures off to he always returns back to his Alaskan roots. Born and raised in the breathtaking landscape of Anchorage, Alaska, Ellis has strong ties to his community and environment. Having seen first hand the dramatic deterioration of the native Alaskan habitat, Ellis upholds ethical and sustainable practices in his own design work.

Ellis’ graduation collection is inspired by the Fauvism oeuvre of French artist André Derain. Ellis employed durable, functional fabrics like denim and jersey for the majority of his designs, as he believes fashion should not only look good, but feel good, too. He even took an extra eco-friendly step and repurposed fabric from thrifted and donated t-shirts for his collection. During his last semester at the School of Fashion, Ellis was awarded the 2016 California Fashion Foundation Scholarship Award.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Ben Ellis

Fashion School Daily: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Ben Ellis: A couple of weeks ago my dad suggested a song by Ricky Nelson, and the chorus goes, “You can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself.”

FSD: What is your greatest style regret?

BE: Worrying about what other people think.

FSD: Who are your favorite fashion icons and why?

BE: Alexander McQueen because of his artistry and spirit. Vivienne Westwood because she is so self-actualized. Christopher Nemeth because he went his own way and had a successful life—plus, those pants he made! Issey Miyake because he’s Issey Miyake. And finally, Livia Firth because she is pushing for social change in the fashion industry and making it happen.

By Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.

Vanessa Nash-Spangler, BFA Fashion Design, was born in Germany and was raised in Chandler, Arizona. Her Spring collection, entitled “GeoSprung” was inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence and hexagons. “I took elements of sacred geometry through nature and its manifestation into architecture and translated them into wearable creations.”

Nash-Spangler is very familiar with textiles as she worked with Britex for a period of time while in school. With a mathematical inspiration and a focus on craftsmanship, the garments all relate back to geometry. “I translated the Fibonacci Sequence into a pattern to create some of the ruffles. Other ruffles were straight cut and sewn into a hexagonal base to mimic a honeycomb. My collection fabrics where entirely painted by hand.” On top of the artisanal quality of the designs, the eye-catching collection features vibrant colors in lightweight materials such as tulle, silk and organza. The designs feature a dreamy quality with lightweight, ethereal materials and oversized ruffles and flowers.

Ignoring the cost, what [item of clothing / bag / designer] would you buy right now?

A custom made Mr. Pearl corset, hands down.

What is your greatest [style] regret?

I have none. I throughly enjoy exploring all sorts of unique styles. Right now I am all about colorful leggings and fun hats!

Which [items in your closet] do you most use?

My BlackMilk leggings, I own so many.  I wear my show stopping silky smooth leggings everyday! They make me feel empowered, comfortable, and best of all give me the ability to dance and stretch at any point.

Written by Samantha Rathman.

Born in Wenzhou and raised in Xiangtan, BFA Womenswear Design student Xiuzhen Li left her native land after high school and moved to the Golden Gate City where she could pursue her sartorial passions at the Academy of Art University. During her studies, Li interned at Simple Pair, a San Francisco based fashion label launched by 2012 MFA Fashion Design alumna Jessie Liu.

For her graduation collection, Li was infatuated with the notion of decay. Looking at moss-covered trees and rotted walls, Li started to ruminate on the synchronicity of growth and deterioration and was drawn to the unique, organic patterns and textures that came about as a result of nature’s opposing forces. Li expresses this intrinsic duality of life and decay through layers of beads, lace, and felt.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Xiuzhen Li

Fashion School Daily: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Xiuzhen Li: Opportunity favors the prepared mind.

FSD: What advice would you give students who want to do collection?

XL: Trust yourself and let you work speak for itself.

FSD: Ignoring the cost, what item would you buy right now?

XL: Hermes ‘Dogon Duo’ wallet in black.

Written by Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.

Sophie Cheng, BFA Fashion Design, was born and raised in Hong Kong. During her time at the Academy of Art University Sophie completed a design assistant internship with Powell & Mason. For her debut collection, entitled “Elusive”, Sophie found inspiration from the Antelope Canyon and the Hopi Tribe.

The collection features a focus on fabrics to truly convey the theme, Cheng designed the textiles detail by laser cutting and etching patterns that were taken directly from the inspiration.

The garments feature ombre strings that were hand dyed by Cheng, and this design detail can be seen all throughout the collection. The strings allowed for interesting drapings and were complimented by asymmetrical aspects, ruffles and a creamy pastel color palette.

According to Cheng “I wanted to transform the beauty of nature into garments and turn anyone who would wear my collection into a modern cool tribe.”

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would like to have the ability to speak many different languages.

What is your style motto?

Don’t follow trends, just follow your heart.

Who are your favorite [fashion] icons and why?

Alexander Wang. I love his brand image and his typical tough girl designs.

Written by Samantha Rathman.

San Francisco, CA, May 13, 2016 — The School of Fashion at Academy of Art University honored Kate and Laura Mulleavy, founders of Rodarte, at the 2016 Graduation Fashion Show on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Kate and Laura Mulleavy were each presented with an Honorary Doctorate degree from Academy of Art University by University President, Dr. Elisa Stephens, as well as a Certificate of Honor from the Office of the Mayor of San Francisco, Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “My goal has always been to bring visionaries to School of Fashion, people who have changed the landscape. Kate and Laura Mulleavy have done just that with Rodarte; they have brought attention back to beautiful, considered, and thought provoking clothing in American fashion,” said Simon Ungless, Executive Director of the School of Fashion. “All of our past Honorary Doctors have gone against the flow and made monumental changes to the way we dress and the way we think. McQueen, Westwood, Gaultier and Alaïa have all broken the rules at some point, and I see the Mulleavys doing that now.” The fashion show featured collections from students who majored in the areas of Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, Menswear Design, Technical Design, Textile Design and Jewelry/Metal Arts. Select M.F.A. and B.F.A. graduating students will present their work to industry professionals and recruiters at the President’s Reception and Portfolio Review before the fashion show. The fashion show was live streamed and may be viewed at http://www.academyart.edu/Runway In advance of the fashion show, the School of Fashion hosted two discussions for students. The first was moderated by Academy of Art University Director of Social Media Center & Fashion Journalism Stephan Rabimov and feature special guests Mickey Boardman, Editorial Director of Paper Magazine, and Lars Byrresen Petersen, Digital Director of Visionaire. The second discussion was moderated by Simon Ungless and Christine Suppes, couture collector and co-author of Skira-Rizzoli’s Electric Fashion, and featured guests of honor Kate and Laura Mulleavy. With our ongoing commitment to providing real world experience in the studio for our students, the show featured collaborative collections beginning with the SHOP657 Collection which is a private label collaborative collection between Fashion Design, Textile Design, Jewelry & Metal Arts, and Fashion Merchandising students. SHOP657 is the School of Fashion’s retail store that features student, alumni, and faculty product. The store is located at 657 Sutter Street, near Union Square, in San Francisco.

In addition to the SHOP657 Collaborative Collection, other collaborations include: • A Fashion Design and Knitwear Design collaboration • Three Fashion and Textile Design collaborations – two of which are Menswear Collections • Two Fashion Design and Jewelry & Metal Arts collaborations • Two collections with beading by students who studied Tambour Beading

SHOP657 Private Label Collaborative Collection:

This private label collection embraces concepts of sustainability by repurposing the backing cloth from the textile lab print tables combined with locally sourced materials. After the show, Fashion Merchandising students will select pieces for local production to be sold at the Academy of Art University retail story SHOP657, located at 657 Sutter Street, in September. The students who worked together on creating the collection were inspired by the commute downtown through the Tenderloin, and the animated classic Alice in Wonderland, as both are quite the journey. They wanted to capture the grit and grime of the Tenderloin, a staple of San Francisco’s history and vibe, as their wonderland and that is shown through the use of bold prints, obscure proportions, and shapes. The designers include: Cherish Bai, BFA Fashion Design, Jayme Goodman, BFA Fashion Design, Meeneshwer Madhu, BFA Menswear Design, Sylvia Rivera, BFA Fashion Design, Soji Solarin, BFA Menswear Design, Yuki Zhang, BFA Fashion Design, Yun Ling Tham Timmy, BFA Textile Design, and Neysa Makizuru, BFA Jewelry & Metal Arts.

Wen Jiang, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born and raised in Shen Yang. Architecture was Jiang’s main source of inspiration. While developing her concept, Jiang envisioned the linear and angular designs of some of the world’s most breathtaking structures. This graphic approach prompted her to construct her collection entirely out of wool. Perhaps one of the most striking elements in her garments are the color blocked, hand-pressed pleating that pays homage to Munich based photography Nick Frank’s vivid geometric images.

Menswear Design and Textile Design Collaboration:

Annie Yang, B.F.A. Menswear Design, was born and raised in Taiwan. Inspired by the illusionary work of Brazil-based artist Daniel Steegmann, Yang’s mission was to design a trompe l’oeil collection that imparts the beauty and relativity of space. With the help of BFA Textile Design student, Jasmine Juewei Xu, Yang was able to create oversized, multilayered garments that produce a distorted perspective. Jasmine Xu, B.F.A. Textile Design, is a Kunming, China native who, after years at the School of Fashion, has become a textile savant. Her designs have been featured in Academy of Art University’s SHOP657. Xu is an idiosyncratic artist who likes to think outside the box. For Yang’s collection, Xu used baby powder on cotton twill and cotton sateen to give the fabrics an element of interest. The result is a unique fading texture that perfectly complements Yang’s voluminous designs.

Xiuzhen Li, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born in Wenzhou and raised in Xiangtan. During her studies, Li interned at Simple Pair, a San Francisco based fashion label launched by 2012 MFA Fashion Design alumna Jessie Liu. For her collection, Li was infatuated with the notion of decay. Looking at moss-covered trees and rotted walls, Li started to ruminate on the synchronicity of growth and deterioration and was drawn to the unique, organic patterns and textures that came about as a result of nature’s opposing forces. Li expresses this intrinsic duality of life and decay through layers of beads, lace, and felt. The beading was done by Alvin Ang and Amy Tzu Chen Hsu, both BFA Fashion Design, who studied Tambour Beading at the School of Fashion.

Vanessa Nash-Spangler, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born in Germany and was raised in Chandler, Arizona. Her collection was inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence and hexagons. Nash-Spangler is very familiar with textiles as she worked with Britex for a period of time while in school. With a mathematical inspiration and a focus on craftsmanship, the garments all relate back to geometry. On top of the artisanal quality of the designs, the eye-catching collection features vibrant colors in lightweight materials such as tulle, silk and organza. The designs feature a dreamy quality with lightweight, ethereal materials and oversized ruffles and flowers.

Fashion Design and Jewelry & Metal Arts Collaboration:

Busara Boussard, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. Her accomplishments include being selected as a winner of the YMA FSF Young Menswear Association Fashion Scholarship Fund in 2015 & 2016. Winning the scholarship in 2015 led her to acquire a summer internship with Ralph Lauren in New York. For her collection, entitled “Rude Locker”, Boussard was influenced by the colors, shapes and architectural details of the EPM Museum in Seattle. She also looked to the uniforms and equipment from the sport of Lacrosse for inspiration. The colorful collection stands out through its implementation of interesting drapery and color blocking. Eirin Midtskogseter, B.F.A. Jewelry & Metal Arts, was born in Norway. On top of pursuing her degree in Metal Arts she has attained a Bachelors degree in Teacher Training in Art and Design, which she received in 2013. Midtskogseter’s jewelry designs were featured in the 2015 University wide Spring Show exhibition which showcases all areas of study, her designs placed third for the School of Jewelry & Metal Arts. The starting point for her jewelry designs began with understanding the overall aesthetic goal of the clothing. She created pieces that transcend traditional jewelry such as shoulder jewelry and a full arm showstopper that go hand in hand with Boussard’s clothing.

Ben Ellis, B.F.A. Menswear Design, is an artist and adventurer, a free spirit with a diverse skillset who has traveled all over the world. Born and raised in the breathtaking landscape of Anchorage, Alaska, Ellis has strong ties to his community and environment. Having seen first hand the dramatic deterioration of the native Alaskan habitat, Ellis upholds ethical and sustainable practices in his own design work. His graduation collection is inspired by the Fauvism oeuvre of French artist Andre Derain. Ellis employed durable, functional fabrics like denim and jersey for the majority of his designs, as he believes fashion should not only look good, but feel good, too. He even took an extra eco-friendly step and repurposed fabric from thrift stores and donated t-shirts for his collection. He was awarded the 2016 California Fashion Foundation Scholarship for Menswear.

Sophie Cheng, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born and raised in Hong Kong. During her time at the Academy of Art University, Sophie completed a design assistant internship with Powell & Mason. For her debut collection, entitled “Elusive”, Sophie found inspiration from the Antelope Canyon and the Hopi Tribe. The collection features a focus on fabrics to truly convey the theme, Cheng designed the textiles detail by laser cutting and etching patterns that were taken directly from the inspiration. The garments feature ombre strings that were hand dyed by Cheng, and this design detail can be seen all throughout the collection. The strings allowed for interesting drapings and were complimented by asymmetrical aspects, ruffles and a creamy pastel color palette.

Karin Kate Wong, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born in Macau, China. After earning an Associate of Arts in Fashion Design in 2013, Wong decided to further her fashion career pursuit at the Academy of Art University. While working towards her degree, she interned at both gr.dano in Sausalito, a line by 2004 B.F.A. Fashion Design alumna Jill Giordano, and earned a position as the womenswear design intern at Public School in New York City. For her collection, Wong sought an inspiration that held significance for her. She chose the theme “bed”. She forewent buttons and zippers, instead opting for ties and elastics as closures for more comfort. The looks feature silky, soft fabrics amplified by silver lamé accents. A sense of laid back comfort and sexuality is brought to life through the draping and backless cuts.

Ke Zhang, B.F.A. Menswear Design, was born in Taizhou in Zhejiang China and grew up in Taizhou, Beijing, and Guangzhou. While at the Academy of Art University, Zhang completed a paid internship with the North Face. His technical ability paired with his knowledge of fabrics has been a driving factor for his design career thus far. Zhang also boasts his ability in tailoring, corsetry and casual wear. Inspired by KoreanAmerican Artist Do Ho Suh, the garments in his collection were influenced by Suh’s translucent fabrics sculptures. The collection is made up of extremely light-weight, see-through fabrics such as organdy, which were designed with interesting seaming details. Many of the pieces in the collection are pajama inspired slim fitting silhouette garments such as the 1900s men’s undergarments inspired leggings.

Fashion Design and Knitwear Design Collaboration

Febri Artha Jayanti, B.F.A. Fashion Design, is from Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2013, Jayanti interned at Jakarta- based fashion retailer, Valino Donna, and worked backstage at Jakarta Fashion Week. For her collection, Jayanti collaborated with B.F.A. Knitwear Design student Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg. Jayanti’s designs are inspired by the burnt and ravaged artworks by American artist Valerie Hegarty. Bold, structured padded shoulders and asymmetrical pleats evoke images of Hegarty’s scorched paintings and contorted frames. By incorporating variations of knitwear pieces, Jayanti was able to make her structured and tailored collection fresh and modern. Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg, B.F.A. Knitwear Design, was born and raised in Skövde, Sweden, the sleek minimalistic fashion sensibility synonymous with Nordic design seems to come naturally to Almberg. Having already worked at the likes of Marville, Ralph Lauren, and Acne Studios New York City, Almberg is well on her way to making a name for herself. Almberg’s knit designs were created in collaboration with B.F.A. Fashion Design student Febri Artha Jayanti. The attire worn by nuns of the Catholic institution, Daughters of Charity, in 1910 inspired the silhouettes and yokes of her collection. For Almberg, every stitch has its own character, so she let the natural life of each stitch inspire and shape her garments.

Fashion Design and Textile Design Collaboration

Regina J. Yoon, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born and raised in Busan, South Korea. During her time at the School of Fashion, Yoon interned at San Francisco-based fashion boutique, Harputs’ Own. Her design philosophy is centered on creating something new, yet timeless, as she aims to infuse a neo-futuristic element into all of her creations. For her collection, Yoon collaborated with B.F.A. Textile Designer Jadi Haynes and designed six looks inspired by the styles and ideologies of ancient and contemporary Korean shamanism. Yoon used cotton, laser cut pleather, and five variations of broderie anglaise to construct a series of exaggerated silhouettes that speak to the past, present, and future. Jadi Haynes, B.F.A. Textile Design, grew up in Elk Grove, California. In 2014, Haynes participated in the annual Discarded to Divine charity auction that took place at the de Young Museum and benefited the St. Vincent De Paul Society. For this collaborative collection with Regina J. Yoon, Florals were Jadi’s main inspiration, but she chose to abstract them to the point of obscurity. The beading for the collection was done by Jessica Victoria Wijaya, B.F.A. Fashion Design, who studied Tambour Beading in the School of Fashion.

Brandon Kee, B.F.A. Menswear Design, grew up in Murray, Utah. Kee’s menswear collection is a combination of oversized baggy cuts mixed with aviation inspired details that pay homage to 90s hip hop and Chinese anti-gravity pilot suits of the 1970s. Kee went one step further and created an inside-out appeal by fashioning the reverse side of jacquard fabric into pale yellow jumpsuits, washed violet pants, and light pink coats. In 2013, he was a finalist in The CFDA / Teen Vogue Scholarship program.

Jiaqi Lu, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born and raised in Zhengzhou, China. In spirit of 3D printing, Lu incorporated dimensional, geometric shapes evocative of origami into her dynamic collection. By employing a variety of textiles like crepe silk and textured cotton, Lu was able to construct sculptural designs that are feminine without being too sinuous, sharp without being too stiff.

Justin Moreno, B.F.A. Menswear Design, is a San Francisco native. His designs combine a dichotomy of Eastern and Western traditions as well as blending the lines between masculine and feminine. Drawstring pants bring a sporty edge, while oversized and distressed garments provide a laid back ease. His has worked at A.C.T.’s The Costume Shop, Native Graphix Screen Printing, N.I.C.E Collective, and Scissors and Cloth. Namrata Bhandari, M.F.A. Textile Design, grew up in Mumbai, India. Before her start at the University, she earned a B.F.A. in fashion design in Mumbai, and worked for Miroglio Textiles in Italy. Her experience includes interning at 109F and earning the title of Assistant Designer at Linarika in Mumbai. She took her inspiration for the textiles from the swirling floral fabric typically seen on the skater girls in Kabul. Silk velvet baseball caps, burnout French terry hoodies, and silk jumpsuits elevate this collection and take it from streetwear to streetluxe.

Fashion Design and Jewelry & Metal Arts Collaboration Celine Sohrabian, B.F.A. Fashion Design, was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her concept for her collection was all about distortion of shape, obscurity, and a play on unconventional fabrics. Her collection was worked backwards. From draping and working on the form, she was able to play with misplacements of regular seams and openings to create obscure shapes. The collection is anything but conventional, with unexpected textiles like latex paired with metallic tweed, and designs that play with asymmetrical and oversized aspects. Celine was selected by Kate and Laura Mulleavy for a summer internship at Rodarte. Shuangning Sici Li, B.F.A. Jewelry & Metal Arts, was born and raised in Qingdao, China. For this collaborative collection with Sohrabian, Li created a jewelry collection entitled “Mushroom Circulation” and wanted to elicit a feeling of power with her designs. She used silver, resin and cement for the round shapes and a simple color scheme to compliment the clothing.

In addition to Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte, Mickey Boardman, Editorial Director of Paper Magazine, Lars Byrresen Petersen, Digital Director of Visionaire, and Kim Chappell, Manager of PR and Community Development at Weebly, other guests included Alex Brownless, co-founder Arts Thread, Stephanie Sherwood, College Relations Manager of BCBG Max Azria Group, LLC, Andy Shearer, Senior Design & Innovation Recruiter at adidas, designer Ben Copperwheat, designer Zaid Affas, Jill Guthrie, College Design Recruiter for Abercrombie & Fitch, Katherine DeWitt, HR Manager at Abercrombie & Fitch, Douglas Evans and Colin Turek of YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund, Susan Ferguson, Director of Talent Acquisition at St. John Knits, and Danielle-ah Nakashima, Senior Designer at St. John Knits and 2011 M.F.A. Fashion Design Alumna. Additional recruiters and executives were in attendance from Gap Inc., Old Navy, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Levi Strauss & Co., and Marmot Mountain.

Student Award Announcements

Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte – Summer Internship

Celine Sohrabian, B.F.A. Fashion Design

The Council of Fashion Designers of America CFDA Scholarship Award – $10,000

Bowen Tian, B.F.A. Fashion Design

Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship Award Excellence in Technical Design – $5,000

Wei Wang, B.F.A. Fashion Design

Liz Claiborne Design Scholarship Award Excellence in Technical Design – $5,000

Uyen Chloe Tran, B.F.A. Fashion Design

Joe’s Blackbook Scholarship Best Womenswear Portfolio Scholarship – $10,000

Amanda Nyamach, B.F.A. Fashion Design

California Fashion Foundation Scholarship for Menswear

Ben Ellis, B.F.A. Menswear Design – $1,000

Weebly Scholarship for Academy of Art University Fashion Journalism students for the best designed digital Weebly magazines Presented by Kim Chappell, Manager of PR and Community Development at Weebly:

Yarina Yao, M.A. Fashion Journalism – $5,000 Namrata Loka, M.A. Fashion Journalism – $5,000

Mickey Boardman for Paper Magazine – Summer Internship

Sasha Leon, B.F.A. Fashion Journalism

Lars Byrresen Petersen for Visionaire – Summer Internship

Cecilia Zhang, M.A. Fashion Journalism

Flipboard Awards for Academy of Art University Fashion Journalism students with the most followed and engaged Flipboard magazines received iPads:

Faye Harris, M.A. Fashion Journalism Taisiya Vivien Moon, M.A. Fashion Journalism Dairia Kymber Harvin, M.A. Fashion Journalism

San Francisco – Paris Sister City Scholarship Exchange in Paris, France

Study at Studio Berçot

Isaac Onofrei, B.F.A. Technical Design

Kori Johnson, B.F.A. Fashion Design

Study at L’Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne

Vanessa Nash-Spangler, B.F.A. Fashion Design

Alyssa Watson, B.F.A. Fashion Design

New Zealand Exchange at Auckland University of Technology

Wendy Xiaowen Zhang, B.F.A. Knitwear Design

About Academy of Art University

San Francisco Academy of Art University is the largest accredited private art and design university in the nation. Founded in 1929, the school offers accredited AA, BA, BFA, BS, B.Arch*, MA, MFA, and M.Arch degree programs in 29 areas of study, as well as continuing art education, pre-college art experience programs, and teacher grants. Classes are available in Acting, Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Art History, Art Teaching Credential, Automotive Restoration, Costume Design, Fashion, Fashion Journalism, Fashion Styling, Fine Art, Game Development, Game Programming, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design (Transportation & Product Design), Interior Architecture & Design, Jewelry & Metal Arts, Landscape Architecture, Motion Pictures & Television, Multimedia Communications, Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media, Photography, Studio Production for Advertising & Design, Visual Development, Web Design & New Media, and Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media. Students can also enroll in flexible online degree programs in most areas of study. Academy of Art University is an accredited member of WSCUC, NASAD, CIDA (BFA-IAD, MFA-IAD), NAAB (B.Arch*, M.Arch), and CTC (California Teacher Credential). For more information, visit academyart.edu or call 800.544.2787 (U.S. only) or 415.274.2200. *B.Arch is currently in candidacy status.

About the School of Fashion

Students study under the guidance of experienced fashion professionals in the School of Fashion, which houses the following areas of specialization: Fashion Design for Womenswear, Menswear, and Childrenswear; Technical Design; Textile Design; Knitwear Design; Accessory Design; Costume Design; Fashion Illustration; Fashion Journalism; Fashion Marketing; Fashion Styling; Fashion Merchandising; and Visual Merchandising. The University works with international brands and recruitment agencies on internships and job placement. Graduates have gone on to such companies as Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Banana Republic, BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, Blanc de Chine, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Corso Como 10, Chloë, Diane von Fürstenberg, Donna Karan, Gap, Kate Spade, Kiton, L.A.M.B., L’Ecole Lesage Paris–Atelier de Broderie, Liz Claiborne, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Martin Margiela, Martine Sitbon, Missoni, Nike, Nordstrom, The North Face, Old Navy, Oscar de la Renta, Phillip Lim, Pottery Barn, Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Roland Mouret, St. John, Threeasfour, Tocca, Viktor & Rolf, and Williams-Sonoma. Guests to the School of Fashion include Azzedine Alaïa, Prosper and Martine Assouline, Max and Lubov Azria of BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, Yigal Azrouël, Geoffrey Beene, Rose Marie Bravo, Sarah Burton, Andrew Buckler, Julie Chaiken, The Honorable Bertrand Delanoë Mayor of Paris, David Downton, Steven Cox and Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown, Patrik Ervell, Loulou de la Falaise, James Galanos, Neil Gilks of the CFDA, Joan Kaner, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony, Antonio Lopez, Fern Mallis, Alexander McQueen, Rosita and Tai Missoni, Angela Missoni, Margherita Maccapani Missoni, Isaac Mizrahi, Josie Natori, Christina Neault of IMG Fashion, Ian Hannula and Joe Haller of N.I.C.E. Collective, Elisa Palomino, Laure du Pavillon, Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Zandra Rhodes CBE, Ralph Rucci, Nathalie Rykiel, HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Jeremy Scott, Carla Sozzani, Philip Treacy, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk van Saene, and Dame Vivienne Westwood DBE, as well as Christophe Girard Director of Fashion Strategy of LVMH Fashion Group, Robin Givhan, Cathy Horyn, and Suzy Menkes.

About School of Fashion Directors

Simon Ungless, Executive Director of the School of Fashion, graduated from Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in 1992 and was awarded the prestigious M.A. Degree in Fashion with Distinction. He collaborated with Alexander McQueen on the first 10 collections shown in London and New York, and personally introduced Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen, to the late designer. In 2002, he was named Creative Director of Member Holiday, a Korean-based contemporary brand, launching both men’s and women’s collections with 37 freestanding stores. His work experience spans fashion design, textile design, forecasting, brand development, and marketing for such clients as Givenchy, Paul Smith, and Versace. In addition to his duties as the Executive Director of the School of Fashion overseeing both M.F.A. and B.F.A. programs, he is the editorial director of the School of Fashion’s 180 magazine, as well as the executive producer of the annual Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony in San Francisco and the biannual fashion shows during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in New York City. Currently, Ungless operates two artisanal design companies, When Simon Met Ralph, which focuses on apparel, and Blackened, which centers on accessories and home. Both projects are the culmination of Ungless’ inspirational development work over his career.

School of Fashion at Academy of Art University

79 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 Call 800.544.2787 (U.S. only) or 415.274.2200

Academy of Art University: www.academyart.edu/ School of Fashion: www.academyart.edu/academics/fashion

Fashion Show Credit Sheet

Executive Producer:

Simon Ungless, Executive Director of the School of Fashion

Events Producer:

Serita Sangimino, Vice President of Student Affairs

Technical Producer:

Jakub Kalousek

Stylist:

Marcell Rocha for Workgroup / workgroup-ltd.com

Make-up:

Victor Cembellin for Workgroup / workgroup-ltd.com

Hair:

Jon Reyman for Spoke & Weal Salon

Model Agencies:

Bratty Model

Cast Images Talent Agency

JE Model

Look Model Agency

Red Model Management

Scout Model & Talent Agency

Stars

The Agency

Social Media Channels

Fashion School Daily: http://www.fashionschooldaily.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/academyufashion

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AcademyUFashion

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academyufashion

#AcademyUFashion

In-house Press Contact Ian MacKintosh / 415.618.3849 / imackintosh@academyart.edu

Photo courtesy of Parizad D

Whether it’s flamenco for Balenciaga or ballet for Christian Dior, the influence of dance on fashion is subtle yet profound. When dance meets fashion, the alchemy between the two art forms produces artistically relevant designs and allows for creativity to unfold in myriad ways. Experiencing the thrill of the mutual aesthetics between dance and fashion is Shraddha Kutty, a 22-year old B-girl and MFA Fashion Merchandising student from Mumbai, India.

Although Shraddha doesn’t believe that dance influences runway fashion, she finds that her personal style is a derivative of the hip-hop culture that she is a part of. “Hip-hop constantly evolves with time and is, thus, very versatile in nature. That puts me in the middle of styles and ultimately makes fashion enjoyable”, she says. While in India, Shraddha started a street wear brand called Mighty Soul that fuses dance, athleticism and traditional Indian designs.

Photo courtesy of Parizad D

Namrata Loka: Miss Mighty Soul – tell us about your brand.

Shraddha Kutty: Mighty Soul combines dance culture and traditional Indian design to bring forth an “old school flava” in today’s perspective. It was founded in 2014 along with two other friends who are also dancers. Mighty Soul makes tank tops, t-shirts and outerwear pieces like jackets and hoodies.

NL: How do you fuse dance culture into a street wear brand?

SK: We feature dancers who make a difference in the community. We feature people from hip-hop DJs and founders of dance crews to rappers and actors on our Facebook page who are seen wearing their Mighty Soul gear.

NL: Lets talk about the soul behind this. Tell us about your first foray into fashion.

SK: I grew up watching 90’s pop music videos and looking at fashion-forward outfits in Archie’s comics. I always wanted to be a part of the creative process of fashion. But Designing and illustration came into the picture much later.

Photo courtesy of Parizad D

NL: What influences your personal style?

SK: Being a B-girl is a part of who I am, and in a way, forms the basis of my lifestyle. To some extent, it influences how I dress. I am a fearless and confident person, and my personality generally dictates what I wear.

NL: On a regular school day, Shraddha Kutty, will most likely be seen wearing…

SK: Classic street wear, which usually entails Adidas OGs, a Vans Snapback/Trucker Hat, or an oversized jacket with suede Puma shoes and accessories. I also venture into androgynous clothing every now and then.

NL: Is there a designer who inspires you?

SK: Manish Arora.

NL: Why Manish Arora?

SK: The vastness and versatility in fashion is just as interesting as the accents and details. Manish Arora’s designs are eccentric—her use of prints and pop inspires me as a street-wear follower and creator. His work reflects a strong and bold attitude, which for me, captures the essence of being a hip-hop dancer.

Written by Namrata Loka, MA Fashion Journalism. Originally posted on Vanilla Sequins.

This content was produced by Academy of Art University MA Fashion Journalism students as part of their Fashion Journalism coursework.

The Metropolitan Museum’s “Manus x Machina – Fashion in an Age of Technology’’ exhibition has been the blockbuster hit of the season. Sponsored by the Met’s Costume Institute, and curated by Andrew Bolton, it has demonstrated the rare ability to unite the two diverse fields of fashion and tech in a way that does justice to both.

Model Noémie Medini pictured in Watson’s award-winning garment inspired by Arctic ice melting. Photo: Fujio Emura, a student of the Photography Department at the Academy of Art University.

So imagine the surprise of BFA Fashion Design student Alyssa Watson when she found out that the project she had created had been selected for an exhibition of student work in conjunction with the show.

“Every semester in Design, there’s a Final Project that’s a face off for a competition,’’ Alyssa explained.

“The Met project was on the idea of taking fashion and infusing it with technology. For the last couple of years, I’ve been extremely interested in 3D printing, and fiber optics, as part of my designs. My project was inspired by the Arctic ice melting, black ice and the shapes created when ice melts.’’

After going through a laborious submission project, in which her work was evaluated by Simon Ungless, Executive Director of the School of Fashion and Gary Miller, Director of Fashion Design, it was selected to be sent in to the Met student competition.

“I had never had a project get that far before, so I was super excited,’’ she said. “I got an email from Gary saying Simon had seen my project and moved it to the next step with the Met – I never imagined it would go that far!’’

“We had a week and a half to see it was accepted, and then we found out there were ten finalists, including five from the Academy. They gave us a month to make the garment – we had to send it to them by May 13^th because the date of the event was May 17^th. The whole time, I was here in San Francisco doing classes, but we mailed the garments on the 9^th. I had finals so I did not leave for New York until the 16^th. I got to the museum on the 17^th at 5 o’clock, when it was actually closing, so I talked to the people in the lobby, explained why I was there and they took me down through secret passages to the basement of the Met, where we were allowed to dress the mannequins and make adjustments.”

Model Noémie Medini pictured in Watson’s award-winning dress inspired by Arctic ice melting. Photography by Fujio Emura, a student of the Photography Department at the Academy of Art University.

“Everything was perfect but then I decided, hey, I’m going to change the battery – I don’t want it to go out in the middle of the event. But as soon as I go to change the batteries, it stopped working. My heart rate  was going through the roof, but on the outside, I was very calm and collected.’’

The story had a happy ending. They found a Met electrician who happily fixed the dress, which ultimately was one of the contest winners, selected by a blue ribbon panel including members of the threeASFour design collective, Joris Debo, MGX, Director at Materialise and Met Costume Institute Head Curator Andrew Bolton. The panel’s discussion on the future of technology in fashion was moderated by Robin Givhan, Pulitzer Prize winning Fashion Editor of the Washington Post.

Other finalists from the Academy were Jessica Wijaya (BFA) and MFA students Panalda Andreae, Sungho Hong and Xiaoyu Zhao.

It was a doubly productive semester for Watson, who found out shortly after the Met event that she had also been selected for a full year scholarship at L’Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in Paris.

Designer Alyssa Watson (left) pictured above with award winning MET Gala dress inspired by melting Arctic ice. Model Noémie Medini. Photography by Fujio Emura.

“I honestly felt like that happened because of the Met – once my design got accepted there, all these things started coming my way,” she said.  “It’s a huge opportunity. I’ll be studying fashion design starting in October and my tuition will be completely covered by the Academy.”

Check out Alyssa’s work at:

www.Alyssawatson.com

Very few fashion stylists can say they’ve worked on set for the likes of Porter Magazine, ELLE, and the San Francisco Chronicle—but BFA Fashion Styling student Britt Moore can. Moore is also signed as the Head Stylist at Look Artists Agency and is the Contributing Fashion Editor for Forbes Magazine—mind you, she’s still in her early 20s. To say she’s extraordinary would be an understatement.

As one of the most compelling stylists at the School of Fashion, Moore was given the opportunity to showcase her boundless imagination in an editorial spread for 180 Magazine’s NYFW issue. With the help of Photography alumni Sarah Brickey, Jeffry Raposas, and Textile Design alumna Mariana Pasos, Moore was able to bring striking textiles to life in a stunning, delightfully eccentric photo shoot, “Print Is The New Black.’

Graduation is on the horizon for Moore, and she’s on the cusp of a new phase in her career. Before she bids adieu to Academy of Art University, she sat down with Styling Instructor Danielle Wallis to talk about the inspiration and process behind her 180 Magazine shoot and to share valuable advice for aspiring fashion stylists. 

Photos courtesy of 180 Magazine

Danielle Wallis: What was your initial concept/inspiration for the photo shoot?

Britt Moore: My original concept for this shoot was collaging together unexpected patterns and bold colors. I strayed away from the collaging idea and focused more on the mixing of patterns.

DW: How would you describe the style and aesthetic of the shoot? (Lighting, art direction, posing, etc.)

BM: The style and aesthetic of the shoot is a play on “randomness.” The art direction I had in mind was to bring in playful elements (i.e. the red dinosaur purse and the “lips” bag). I figured the pieces were playful and extreme, so why not play it up even more? The colored lighting definitely emphasized the idea as well.

DW: For the shoot, you worked with pieces from the collections of Jaci Hodges (MFA Fashion Design) and Nisha Hanna Btesh (MFA Textile Design), Nancy Garcia (MFA Fashion Design), Jinhyun Kim (MFA Fashion Design), and Textile designer Ben Copperwheat. How was the styling process with such color rich garments? What was your strategy for mixing such bold prints together?

BM: Initially, I was a little overwhelmed. I absolutely love a vibrant color story for an editorial, but I struggled to find something that could ground the looks. While I was styling the looks and reworking everything, I realized that I should first focus on classic silhouettes that make sense. Having that as the starting point helped all of the vibrant colors and patterns fall into place with each other.

DW: What words of advice would you like to share with fellow Styling students about the process of styling for a publication?

BM: I would say that they should devote enough time to style each look beforehand. Really get into it! When you have your garments pulled, try to style as many looks as possible and then edit down for what makes sense for the concept/story. I styled about 15 looks before we decided which ones would fit into the editorial. Also, be sure to keep the magazine’s aesthetic and audience in mind.

DW: Which Fashion Styling classes helped you best prepare for this editorial? What skills did you apply that you’ve learned here at AAU?

BM: The FSH 284 Photo Shoot Production class helped prepare me the most. I learned how to build a concept and execute it from start to finish, and that played a big part in how I approached this editorial. Having produced and styled a lot from that class (and outside of class) was great practice and made it easier for me to produce the concept and styling for the 180 Magazine editorial.

DW: Do you have any general comments or advice you would like to share with your peers in the Fashion Styling program?

BM: Don’t lose your creativity! It’s important to be able to access amazing clothes, but don’t forget to really go for interesting concepts. Stay away from creating content that’s already been done and seen before. And remember, your sketchbook is your best friend. I still use mine!

2015 Academy of Art Fashion Design Graduate Jenny Johansson has been hard at work on the launch of her new Ragnhild brand and now it is ready to take off!

Image Source: theragnhildgirl Blog

The new line showcases ten unique bomber jackets designed by Johansson from her original prints, all sewn and digitally printed in San Francisco.

“Mad Max’’ hits the road with stylish “Fury’’ In this engaging shoot by BFA Styling student Daniela Santos.  In addition to producing, art directing and styling the shoot, Daniele hand dyed, bleached and cut and slashed the clothes herself. It’s a perfect DIY outfit to prepare you for the end of the world!

Look 1 – Model wears ZARA short-sleeve and Goodwill long-sleeve and pant.

Look 1 – Model wears ZARA short-sleeve and Goodwill long-sleeve and pant.

Look 2 -Dominique S. wears ZARA pant with Goodwill jacket, sweater, shirt and shoes.

Look 2 -Dominique S. wears ZARA pant with Goodwill jacket, sweater, shirt and shoes.

Look 3 -Model Dominique wears complete Goodwill outfit.

Look 3 – Model Dominique wears complete Goodwill outfit.

Look 4 -Dominique S. wears ZARA shirt and pant with Goodwill jacket.

Look 4 -Dominique S. wears ZARA shirt and pant with Goodwill jacket.

Look 5 – Model wears ZARA shirt, NORDSTROM Rack pant, and Goodwill jacket and long-sleeve.

Look 5 – Model wears ZARA shirt, NORDSTROM Rack pant, and Goodwill jacket and long-sleeve.

Team:

Photography by: Jen Lovely, BFA Photography
Styling by: Daniela Santos
Model: Dominique S. (LOOK)

BFA Styling student Chaw Chaw Su San channeled the spirit of tropics from the BFA Design student Karina Garcia in this fashion editorial featuring Garcia’s collection. From exotic prints to tropical flora – everything came together for the shoot.  Chaw Chaw’s unusual combinations offered a renewed sense of Garcia’s bright palette. This is a vacation one can wear year long!

Look 1 – Model Kalyn wears Karina Garcia top and Zara black pants.

Look 2 – Kalyn wears white Zara top.

Look 3 – Modeling designer Karina Garcia top.

Look 4 – Model wears designer Karina Garcia top, Zara black pants, Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

Look 5 – Kalyn wears designer Karina Garcia top and jacket, Mute by JL skirt and Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

Look 6 – Model wears Karina Garcia over layer and pants, Zara white top and Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

Look 7 – Kalyn modeling Karina Garcia’s over layer with a Zara white top, Mute by JL skirt and Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

Team:

Photography by: Raj Bhardwaj
Designer: Karina Garcia
Textile Designer: Mariana Pazos
Stylist: Chaw Chaw Su San
Make-up and Hair: Sean Kosugi
Stylist Assistant: Shandy Tsai
Model: Kalyn (Stars Model Management)

Congratulations to Spring 2016 BFA Fashion Styling graduate Katelyn Johnson, who just landed a gig as the lead stylist for a fashion shoot with supermodel Karlie Kloss in Lake Tahoe! #success

Image Source: blog.stylelend.com

For Katelyn, it’s just the latest in a string of successes since enrolling in the program under the direction of Assistant Director of Styling Flore Morton. Flore referred her to Apple Inc., where she worked as an assistant stylist and also introduced her to the Artists Service agency, who hired her for a number of projects. But even Flore is impressed with her protégé’s most recent good fortune. “This shoot with Adidas/Karlie is just HUGE,’’ she says.

Pushing the boundaries of sportswear to its limit. Introducing our partnership with @karliekloss and @adidas by @stellamccartney #aSMC

A photo posted by adidas Women (@adidaswomen) on Jul 18, 2016 at 9:55am PDT

FASHION SCHOOL DAILY: Where are you from, when did you enroll in the Academy and why did you choose a Styling major?

KATELYN JOHNSON: I am from a small town north of Sacramento (Yuba City), where I grew up dancing ballet and going to a small arts high school, graduating with only 44 other seniors. In my teens I traveled to Chico, Sacramento, Marin County, and San Francisco to pursue dancing, but also picked up photography along the way.

I enrolled in Academy of Art University in Spring 2011 at age 20 and Styling seemed like the perfect transition from ballet and photography; I loved the costumes I got to wear in the theater and the characters I got to be. Fashion on the runway or in the photo studio is like a stage in its own right, where I now let others steal the show (smiling).

FSD: Was the Apple shoot your first professional gig? How did it come about?

KD: Apple was not my first professional gig, but definitely my first big one! Flore connected me as an assistant in May of 2015, then by that December the production crew hired me as lead stylist in L.A.! I have now worked for them on three shoots, and it also led me to gaining HTC Global as a client.

Yes!! So pleased! The HTC Global campaign is up on HTC.com! Got to work with my roommate. She is so cute! #HTC #HTCGlobal #HTC10 #globaladvertisement #LeadStylist

A photo posted by Katelyn Johnson (@katelyndjohnson) on Apr 19, 2016 at 4:00pm PDT

FSD: What were you doing at Artists Services agency? How did you get the gig, and can you explain what they do, briefly?

KD: Again, thanks to Flore’s help, the agency associated with JE Models brought me on as an assistant. Artists’ Services got me in the door to Gap, Old Navy, and Wal-Mart, where I was able to see the speed and precision that big photo factories working on multiple sets can execute. It was great part-time work during my senior year, and I look forward to finding an agency in NYC where I can sign on as lead stylist when I move there next month!

FSD: You were chosen to be one of the Styling students whose work was shown at the Spring 2016 Static Show. Who did you meet professionally while you were there and what opportunities came about as a result?

KD: I was lucky enough to meet some girls from the Twenty-Four Seven (24-7) agency. They could be a valuable contact when I relocate to NYC at the beginning of September.

FSD: You have San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York listed as work locations on your website. What do you most prefer about each environment?

KD: I occasionally travel between all three. New York City is my favorite! It feels like home – so fast, ambitious, at the heart of it all. You’re at the center of creation there. L.A. is fun – it feels like a vacation getting to work and then returning at the end of the day to the crew house on the beach in Malibu or a mid-century estate in Silver Lake. San Francisco is actually the most anonymous and the kindest city, making it much happier and easier when I’m doing my pulls for a shoot.

PSA: I’m back in SF! The lovely ladies at StyleLend have picked their favorite pieces from my wardrobe to feature me on their blog. Rent my closet! Interview and smiles at blog.stylelend.com! Photo by @nakedneco #threefloor #miista #givenchy #SF

A photo posted by Katelyn Johnson (@katelyndjohnson) on Sep 22, 2015 at 12:01pm PDT

FSD: You have an impressive list of clients – menswear, women’s wear, beauty – for many cutting edge publications. How did you manage to network to get the gigs while you were carrying a fulltime school schedule?

KD: Oh, I definitely ripped my hair out a bit some days…or for weeks at a time. (Laughing) Luckily, a lot of my networking was referrals, or teamwork between myself and the photographer to reach out to new clients and publications. Even to this day most of my work is referral-based, so be nice! You’ll never know who you might meet.

FSD: What were your chief takeaways from the Styling program? How did Flore help guide you to your current heights?

KD: Flore helped so much! She really pushed me even when I was afraid to keep going because she believed in me. Key points are to keep up with research and production! The Product Styling class is essential, too. Much of the work in S.F. is in cosmetic styling and clothing laydowns.

#tbt to clean beauty with @ellis_au, @alexiscarene, @verdecita.

A photo posted by Katelyn Johnson (@katelyndjohnson) on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:42pm PST

FSD: You’ve also done a lot of work styling music videos for bands and groups like PVRIS, Versa and Cemetery Sun. How is styling for those clients different from fashion shoots?

KD: Styling for music videos is more similar to styling for film – you can’t step in mid-shot to fake anything with clips or pinning. You have to be very confident in the fit and movement of garments, even more so because the talent typically isn’t a 5’11” size 2 model. They are real people! They also have an established image with their brand as an artist, so that’s where it’s also a lot like personal styling.

All of these bands have been rock n’ roll, and these kids like wearing BLACK. My editorials are filled to the brim with color, but never did I ever have a rack so black as I did for the PVRIS videos.

FSD: So last, but definitely not least, tell us about the Karlie Kloss Adidas/Stella McCartney shoot. How did it come about? What was Karlie like to work with? Did you have to pinch yourself to be sure you were really there?

KD: The Karlie Kloss for Adidas by Stella McCartney shoot was incredible! Karla Welch styled the campaign in London, then I got to take over in Tahoe for the social media announcement covered by Vogue.com. We got to spend all weekend at the Wanderlust Yoga Festival in Squaw Valley enjoying the sun and nature.

Adidas by Stella McCartney is my absolute favorite fitness brand; I was so thrilled when a coworker from a job I did for the Westin St. Francis Hotel asked me to join the crew.

Fashion and fitness are two of my great loves. I am delighted to be joining the @adidas by @StellaMcCartney fam #aSMC

A photo posted by @karliekloss on Jul 18, 2016 at 10:01am PDT

I had to remind myself to play it cool when I was next to Karlie Kloss doing yoga at 8,200 feet on top of Olympic Village, while a pool party was going on behind me with amazing deep house music. She was so sweet and friendly- what an unbelievable weekend.

Check out the Vogue article on the rest of Wanderlust with more pics! http://www.vogue.com/13459134/karlie-kloss-adidas-stella-mccartney-wanderlust-photo-diary/

For this high-flying Styling graduate, the sky, and the professional opportunities, are clearly the limit!

To see more of Katelyn’s amazing work, go to her website: http://www.katelyndjohnson.com/

BFA Womenswear Design student Jiaqi Lu was born and raised in Zhengzhou, China. After graduating high school, Lu migrated west and enrolled at the Academy of Art University in a bid to actualize her design dreams. As a token of her hard work and artistic talent, Lu is going to present her collection at the School of Fashion’s 2016 Graduation Show.

In spirit of 3D printing, Lu incorporated dimensional, geometric shapes evocative of origami into her dynamic collection. By employing a variety of textiles like crepe silk and textured cotton, Lu was able to construct sculptural designs that are feminine without being too sinuous, sharp without being too stiff.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Jiaqi Lu

Fashion School Daily: What advice would you give students who want to do collection?

Jiaqi Lu: Learn to manage your time!

FSD: What is your style motto?

JL: Perfection is ugly. Don’t follow the rules and don’t get caught up in what other people think—just be yourself.

FSD: What is playing on your iPod?

JL: ‘Ego’ by BIGBANG

Written by Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.

BFA Menswear Design student Ben Ellis is an artist and adventurer, a free spirit with a diverse skill set who has traveled all over the world. But no matter where he ventures off to he always returns back to his Alaskan roots. Born and raised in the breathtaking landscape of Anchorage, Alaska, Ellis has strong ties to his community and environment. Having seen first hand the dramatic deterioration of the native Alaskan habitat, Ellis upholds ethical and sustainable practices in his own design work.

Ellis’ graduation collection is inspired by the Fauvism oeuvre of French artist André Derain. Ellis employed durable, functional fabrics like denim and jersey for the majority of his designs, as he believes fashion should not only look good, but feel good, too. He even took an extra eco-friendly step and repurposed fabric from thrifted and donated t-shirts for his collection. During his last semester at the School of Fashion, Ellis was awarded the 2016 California Fashion Foundation Scholarship Award.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Ben Ellis

Fashion School Daily: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Ben Ellis: A couple of weeks ago my dad suggested a song by Ricky Nelson, and the chorus goes, “You can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself.”

FSD: What is your greatest style regret?

BE: Worrying about what other people think.

FSD: Who are your favorite fashion icons and why?

BE: Alexander McQueen because of his artistry and spirit. Vivienne Westwood because she is so self-actualized. Christopher Nemeth because he went his own way and had a successful life—plus, those pants he made! Issey Miyake because he’s Issey Miyake. And finally, Livia Firth because she is pushing for social change in the fashion industry and making it happen.

By Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.

Vanessa Nash-Spangler, BFA Fashion Design, was born in Germany and was raised in Chandler, Arizona. Her Spring collection, entitled “GeoSprung” was inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence and hexagons. “I took elements of sacred geometry through nature and its manifestation into architecture and translated them into wearable creations.”

Nash-Spangler is very familiar with textiles as she worked with Britex for a period of time while in school. With a mathematical inspiration and a focus on craftsmanship, the garments all relate back to geometry. “I translated the Fibonacci Sequence into a pattern to create some of the ruffles. Other ruffles were straight cut and sewn into a hexagonal base to mimic a honeycomb. My collection fabrics where entirely painted by hand.” On top of the artisanal quality of the designs, the eye-catching collection features vibrant colors in lightweight materials such as tulle, silk and organza. The designs feature a dreamy quality with lightweight, ethereal materials and oversized ruffles and flowers.

Ignoring the cost, what [item of clothing / bag / designer] would you buy right now?

A custom made Mr. Pearl corset, hands down.

What is your greatest [style] regret?

I have none. I throughly enjoy exploring all sorts of unique styles. Right now I am all about colorful leggings and fun hats!

Which [items in your closet] do you most use?

My BlackMilk leggings, I own so many.  I wear my show stopping silky smooth leggings everyday! They make me feel empowered, comfortable, and best of all give me the ability to dance and stretch at any point.

Written by Samantha Rathman.

Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, BFA Fashion Design student Febri Artha Jayanti came to Academy of Art University with design experience already under her belt. In 2013, Jayanti interned at Jakarta-based fashion retailer, Valino Donna, and worked backstage at Jakarta Fashion Week.

For her final collection as a School of Fashion student, Jayanti collaborated with BFA Knitwear Design student Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg. Jayanti’s designs are inspired by the burnt and ravaged artworks by American artist Valerie Hegarty. Bold, structured padded shoulders and asymmetrical pleats evoke images of Hegarty’s scorched paintings and contorted frames. By incorporating variations of knitwear pieces, Jayanti was able to make her structured and tailored collection fresh and modern.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Febri Artha Jayanti

Fashion School Daily: What is your favorite memory of being in the School of Fashion?

Febri Artha Jayanti: My favorite thing is how everyone in class becomes one big family. Everybody supports and helps each other out no matter what.

FSD: What is your style motto?

FAJ: I can never have enough t-shirts.

FSD: What is playing on your iPod?

FAJ: ‘Big Ideas’ by The Boxer Rebellion.

One look at BFA Knitwear Design student Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg’s work, and it’s easy to see her Scandinavian roots. Having been born and raised in Skövde, Sweden, the sleek minimalistic fashion sensibility synonymous with Nordic design seems to come naturally to Almberg. Having already worked at the likes of Marville, Ralph Lauren, and Acne Studios New York, Almberg is well on her way to making a name for herself.

Almberg’s graduation knit designs were created in collaboration with BFA Fashion Design student Febri Artha Jayanti. The attire worn by nuns of the Catholic institution, Daughters of Charity, in 1910 inspired the silhouettes and yokes of her collection. For Almberg, every stitch has its own character, so she let the natural life of each stitch inspire and shape her garments.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg

Fashion School Daily: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg: Traveling is the University of life.

FSD: What advice would you give students who want to do collection?

RDA: Time management is key! Also surround yourself with like-minded, driven people.

FSD: What is your greatest style regret?

RDA: Buying a pair of Sketchers.

Written by Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.

As a young Taiwanese girl, Annie Yang knew she wanted to become a fashion designer, but had no idea that as an adult, she’d be pursuing her dreams in one of the most bustling cities in the U.S. But after her first visit to the Golden Gate City, there was no doubt in her mind that San Francisco and Academy of Art University were right for her. After semesters of cultivating her sartorial craft, the BFA Menswear Design student is finally making her childhood dream come true as she’s set to present her graduation collection next month on the School of Fashion runway.

Inspired by the illusionary work of Brazil-based artist Daniel Steegmann, Yang’s mission was to design a trompe l’oeil collection that imparts the beauty and relativity of space. With the help of BFA Textile Design student, Jasmine Juewei Xu, Yang was able to create oversized, multilayered garments that produce a distorted perspective.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Annie Yang

Fashion School Daily: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Annie Yang: Experiment, and make sure you document any idea that comes to mind right away.

FSD: What is your style motto?

AY: Feel confident and be comfortable.

FSD: What is playing on your iPod?

AY: WhoMadeWho, Empire of the Sun, and Eason Chen.

BFA Textile Design student, Jasmine Juewei Xu, is a Kunming, China native who, after years at the School of Fashion, has become a textile savant. You may have seen some of her bag designers back in 2014 when they were featured in the Academy of Art University’s SHOP657. During her final semester, Xu collaborated with BFA Menswear Design student, Annie Yang, on her graduating collection.

Xu is an idiosyncratic artist who likes to think outside the box. For Yang’s collection, Xu used baby powder on cotton twill and cotton sateen to give the fabrics an element of interest. The result is a unique fading texture that perfectly complements Yang’s voluminous designs.

Swatches courtesy of Jasmine Juewei Xu

Fashion School Daily: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Jasmine Juewei Xu: “A laborer works with his hands, a craftsman works with his hands and head, and an artist/designer works with his hands, head, and heart.”

FSD: What is your favorite memory of being in the School of Fashion?

JJX: Mixing colors and printing in the lab with the sun shining high in the afternoon sky.

FSD: What advice would you give students who want to do collection?

JJX: Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Written by Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.

BFA Womenswear Design student Regina J. Yoon was born and raised in Busan, South Korea. During her time at the School of Fashion, Yoon interned at San Francisco-based upscale fashion boutique, Harputs’ Own. Her design philosophy is centered on creating something new, yet timeless as she aims to infuse a neo-futuristic element into all of her creations.

For her graduation collection, Yoon collaborated with BFA Textile Designer Jadi Haynes and designed six looks inspired by the styles and ideologies of ancient and contemporary Korean shamanism. Yoon used cotton, laser cut pleather, and five variations of broderie anglaise to construct a series of exaggerated silhouettes that speak to the past, present, and future.

Illustrated lineup courtesy of Regina J. Yoon

Fashion School Daily: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Regina J. Yoon: If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it!

FSD: What is your favorite memory of being in the School of Fashion?

RJY: Spending long nights in the labs with my other classmates. It can be a rough time, so spending it with other students and having those relationships blossom into friendships was one of the best parts.

FSD: What advice would you give students who want to do collection?

RJY: It’s going to a very exciting experience to create something of your own, but at the same time you have to completely devote yourself and all your efforts to the collection. You’re going to battle with yourself. Don’t forget to trust yourself.

Having grown up only a couple hours away from the Bay Area in Elk Grove, California, BFA Textile Design student Jadi Haynes didn’t have to travel too far from home to pursue her fashion dreams. In 2014, Haynes reconstructed two journals for the annual Discarded to Divine charity auction that took place at the de Young Museum and benefited the St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Haynes was instrumental in Yoon’s graduation collection as she was the mastermind behind the textile designs. Florals were her main inspiration, but she chose to abstract them to the point of obscurity.

Swatches courtesy of Jadi Haynes

Fashion School Daily: Ignoring the cost, what item of clothing would you buy right now?

Jadi Haynes: Anything from Comme des Garcon’s Spring/Summer 2001 collection. It’s so hard to find nowadays.

FSD: Which items in your closet do you most use?

JH: I can’t live without my black infinity scarf and my Issey Miyake ‘Bao Bao’ over the shoulder bag.

FSD: Who are you favorite fashion icons and why?

JH: It might be cliché to say, but definitely my mother. She takes risks and has fun with her clothes. If it wasn’t for her interest in fashion, I wouldn’t have been influenced to pursue a career as a textile designer.

Written by Angela Han, BA Fashion Journalism.