Students in Judith Zimrin’s FSH 201 have done it again – they’ve taken one man’s trash and turned it into a complete treasure. In the Reclaimed Objects class, visual merchandising students were tasked with turning ratty old handbags into works of art fit for the arm of San Francisco’s finest ladies. They let their imaginations run wild, embellishing the bags with everything from feathers and flowers to butterflies cut out of paper and even sparkly planetary rings.

The bags were donated by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and will be auctioned as part of their annual fashion fundraiser, Discarded to Divine  next April. The students also worked on an amazing shoe project last semester, that we will be featuring in the very near future. They’re work is proof that you really can make something wonderful out of seemingly nothing–where will you your next creative idea spring from?!

Follow the jump for more images of the gorgeous bags!

The students who participated in the project were: Laura Borge, Tao Chen, YoonYoung Choi, Lorraine Etchell, Amanda Gallegos, Simon Huang, Daniel Jung, Jaclyn Kershek, Ariana Lum, Julie Martin, Jemma Morris, Darma Saputra, Noah Shaw, Nuttakarn Siriwatna, and Jazmin White.

For their final project of the semester, students in Flore Morton’s FSH 478 – Editorial Styling class were were ask to create photo shoots inspired by our fair city of San Francisco. The students drew inspiration from landmarks, famous buildings, songs, and movies, producing editorials that connected fashion to SF’s rich history.

One of our favorite editorials from the class was styled by Natalie Cheung, who took inspiration from Jack Kerouac’s Beat Generation novel, On the Road. She took the journey theme to heart, shooting on location in the Marin headlands and literally on the road. We love the menswear styling and the sense of adventure portrayed in the images. We’ve featured our favorites below, and you can check out the entire editorial over on SF Station!

Follow the jump for more!

Styling by Natalie Cheung. Photos by Jen McGowan. Model – Landry Macedo with Next Models.

For more editorials, click here.

Since our fashion students returned from their Saudi Arabian adventure last November, they’ve been busy wrapping their brains around all of the inspirational bits and pieces they picked up along the way. From the stunning landscapes, to exotic plants and animals, and the amazing people they met, they’re combing through each and every aspect of the trip and working to synthesize it all into one single vision–not the easiest task in the world. As part of the process, they’re putting their ideas to paper, and created an amazing scrapbook chronicling their journey.

We’ve picked a few of our favorite pages from the book to share with you, and we’ll be sharing lots more as the collection develops! Just looking at their images, we can tell it’s going to be one stellar collection hitting the floor at Harvey Nichols.

Esther Kim.

Follow the jump for more images!

Lorenette Haynes. Love the knitwear swatch!

Lisa Hegner.

 Amanda Tran.

Blake Conaway.

Grace Malla. Textile inspiration!

In today’s Student Spotlight, we interviewed Uğur Karaman, a BFA Fashion and Knitwear Design student in the School of Fashion. Uğur is known for his impeccable personal style, and the clothing he designs is equally as unique and eye-catching. Having moved to San Francisco from his native Turkey, he arrived without any technical knowledge or experience, relying only on his passion and desire to become a designer. He has honed his skills as a student, turning his vision into a reality, and landed an awesome internship along the way.

When did you first become interested in fashion?
I became interested in fashion at an early age–I started dreaming of being a model because I saw them on billboards in the streets. Then I started caring about my style. In high school, my girlfriend told me that I had a different style than other people, and my parents agreed with her.

So, since my style looked different than others, I wanted to make women different and unique. I started styling my friends and cutting and styling my male friends’ hair while I completed my first degree in Tourism, in Turkey. Then all of a sudden I found myself here without knowing English, or having any drawing skills or technical fashion knowledge.

Follow the jump to read more!

What have been the most important things you’ve learned as a student?
The most important thing that I’ve learned as a student is that there are always people who will be better. It made me feel that there are not limits to the fashion world, which inspired me to work more and more. I keep every single image that I can to use as inspiration, and then take that inspiration and create designs in my head and put them down on paper.

How did you land your internship with TSE last summer?
It is actually a really random story. I had been interning for a designer and School of Fashion alumnus Jonathan David Baker in San Francisco, but he moved to New York about eight months ago. He had always believed in me, since the first day we met. He was hired as the head knitwear designer at TSE–pronounced like “SAY”­–and I had wanted to visit him in NY, so I flew there on my way back from summer vacation in Turkey. I did not realize he had already started working at TSE, but just as I was arriving he messaged me and asked if I would like to intern there. The next day, I began my internship at TSE.

What did you do during a typical day?
Surprisingly, on my first day, Jonathan and the other designer put me in a room and gave me a huge inspiration board for the Pre-Fall 2013 collection. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with it–they wanted me to design on my very first day for a real fashion show. I was a little nervous because they didn’t really say anything about what they wanted me to design. That whole week I designed and designed, non-stop.

The following Monday, they had a meeting. I was so nervous my whole body was shaking. Jonathan came to talk to me and told me that they approved eight of my designs. He told me that the other designer said my work was impressive, and asked how long I had been working on them and if I could stay longer. I almost cried. I was extremely happy because Jonathan had believed in me, they hadn’t even asked for my portfolio because he told them how long we’d been working together. I was happy because I didn’t disappoint him.

Once the design process was finished, I did lay outs of designs for image placements, and handled yarn and trim sourcing.

Did you enjoy New York? What were your favorite sites/spots?
I did enjoy every moment I had when I was in New York.  My favorite places were Bedford, Brooklyn and Soho, where I worked.

What did you learn at your internship that you’ve been able to apply to your school work?
I learned how a real fashion business works which has opened my mind a lot. My knitwear instructor always says to imagine that we work in the industry even when we are at school, and now I have a much better understanding of what that means–they definitely treat us like we’re in the real world at times. What I learned about the business and working in a professional environment will be very helpful as I work toward my senior collection.

Which designer(s) do you admire and why?
Personally, I don’t have a favorite designer. The reason is, if I would say a designer’s name that would not necessarily mean that I liked all his/her designs. But generally, I like the designers who describe the beauty of women.

What is your dream job?
My dream is to have a company under my own brand as it is for most of the design students, but specifically, I want to have only one of each piece in my collection. For example, if there are forty pieces total, each will be different, so that women can buy something that makes them feel truly unique. And if the piece did not fit, I would make one specific to her measurements and just keep the original in my own store or gallery. I do have one other idea that I’ve had in my mind since I first became interested in fashion, but I have never heard of anything like it, so I’m keeping it a secret for now.

For more Student Spotlights, click here.

Window displays have always had a special relationship with fashion, with department store windows showcasing some of the most inventive and fantastical displays around (did you see the BG Follies this year?). Our visual merchandising students continue this amazing tradition, and each semester they lend their talents to the historic InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel. They design and build window displays highlighting stories from the hotel’s rich San Francisco history, selecting a different theme each season.

Last December, they installed their latest creations, centered around the theme of musicians at the Mark Hopkins. The windows feature mobile dancers, illuminated piano keys, vintage records and even a disco ball. We are always impressed by what these students, led by instructor Martin Zanfardino, come up with–and the ways in which they bring the stories to life. Be sure to visit the Mark Hopkins at 1 Nob Hill in SF and see the displays in action!

“Dancin’ with Anson” at The Mark – Chenzi Yang, Yoon Young Choi, and Francis Liang. Anson Weeks was a famous band leader who brought his talents to the Top of the Mark in the 1930s. The window features cutouts of the leader and his band, with oversized piano keys that light up as if being played.

Follow the jump to see the rest!

Benny Goodman at the Peacock Court – Minna Huang, Mi-Ching Huang, and Melina Ortiz. Benny Goodman was a jazz clarinet legend, who played at the Peacock Court and the Top of the Mark during the 1940s. The window is based on event posters from the era.

Viva Cugat! - Nerissa Arviana, Dian Sari, and Kimberly Bolton. Xavier Cugat, known for is Latin-influenced jazz, was also a talented illustrator who created all of his own album jackets, seen in the display. The bright colors are meant to represent his Latin influence.

The DeMarcos at the Mark! – Jin Hee Baik, Woori Han, and Eunkyu Seol. The DeMarco dancers were an American vaudeville dance duo led by Tony DeMarco. He had a habit of making his dance partners his wives, hence the three couples representing his dance partnerships with (and marriages to) Nina DeMarco, Renée DeMarco, and Sally DeMarco. The window features colors and props reminiscent of the stage, and the dancing duos each spin atop their pedestals.

Our latest Student Spotlight features Riki Lynn Henderson, an MFA Textile Design student who recently completed her thesis project. Riki’s multi-faceted print collections include a broad range of materials and motifs, ranging from leathers and silks to flowers and rocks. We caught up with Riki to talk about her road to the textile lab, her amazing final work, and her post-graduate plans!

Have you always loved fashion?
I have always been interested in fabric and sewing and making things with my hands. That was what we did for fun as kids. I collected wallpaper samples and stationary, and made tiny things out of fabric scraps. I’ve always loved pattern and decoration, and have been sewing since before it was probably safe for me to be operating a sewing machine.

Why did you decide to study textile design?
Having completed my BFA in Fashion Design, I decided that textiles and print design was something on which I wanted to further concentrate. I am interested in pattern and materiality more than innovative design. For me, textile design just seems to fit with my artistic aesthetic, that has sort of been with me since I was a kid.

What were the most valuable things you learned both in and out of the classroom?
One of the most valuable things I learned during my time in the grad program was to think big and follow through. Instead of assuming I couldn’t do or finish something, I just had to learn to go for it and use every resource I could to make it happen. I learned to trust in my acquired skills, as well as become comfortable with my personal aesthetic and shape it appropriately for a variety of markets. I think most importantly I learned the value of keeping a very lively sketchbook and documenting all of my visual inspiration, thoughts and process. This is a big part of my creative process, and is where I personally feel the most accomplished. This way of working is what really led me to develop my aesthetic.

Can you tell us about your final project?
My final project consists of 9 collections, completed during the last half of my time at the Academy. It is very colorful and illustrative and ranges in materiality from leather, to sheer, printed silks, to mixed media pieces made with layers of wax. Each collection tells a different type of story for a different market, but they are still very cohesive.

If you could design textiles for anyone or anything, who or what would it be?
If I could design textiles for anyone it would be for Miuccia Prada. Really, I would love to design for anyone who uses fabric, pattern, and color to tell a story: Marni, Christopher Kane, a lot of other British designers. or anything, who or what would it be?

What are your post-graduation plans?
I was very lucky to secure a job before school ended. I’ve started working as full-time Textile Designer for Camilla Olson here in the Bay Area. My job consists of everything from keeping the textile studio running, to sourcing materials, designing and printing yardage, and innovating our company’s print process. We print our designs using metal; it’s a chemical reaction with the fabric. It’s a lot of work, and very dirty and physical at times, but I love the process and being in the studio. It’s the perfect job I had imagined, but didn’t think I would actually find so quickly.

Check out more of Riki’s work on her website!

For more Student Spotlights, click here.

Julie Seltzer and Andrea Nieto at the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Dinner in New York.

This year, two outstanding textile design students from the School of Fashion–Andrea Nieto and Julie Seltzer–were honored by the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund. Andrea Nieto was awarded the $10,000 Geoffrey Beene runner-up scholarship, and Julie took home the $5,000 YMA FSF Scholarship, and both were celebrated at a dinner for all of the scholarship winners in NYC with guest of honor Alber Elbaz. 

The finalists were chosen after a competitive selection process of essays, creative presentations, and interviews. This year’s project brief asked students to create a product line for a popular daily deals e-commerce site such as Gilt Groupe or Ideeli. Both Andrea and Julie focused on items for a young teen’s bedroom, incorporating their own original prints.

“When I was around that age [tween 9-12] I wanted my room to look like the jungle, so we painted vines on my walls and hung my stuffed animals from strings and rafia all over the room,” Julie said of her inspiration. “I wanted to repeat that sense of fun and adventure, but in a more sophisticated and clean look for the parents to enjoy as well.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project is the business sense it teaches students as they research and write their briefs. “I learned how important it is to really know who you are designing for,” Andrea noted.

We are so proud of Andrea and Julie–congratulations!!

You can see more work from Julie on her website!

This week’s Student Spotlight features BFA Men’s Design student, Zachary Blumenfeld. Barely halfway through his fashion education, Zach’s style influence can already be seen beyond campus as he recently designed the windows for iconic specialty clothing store, Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco. Fashion School Daily got to chat with Zach about what it’s been like working at Wilkes, and how his personal style has gone from skater boy to a young man who prefers made to measure.

How did you first become interested in fashion?

I’m not quite sure. I became aware of style at a very young age, which is far different from fashion. I think style is just something that runs in my family. Whether it was looking at a shoot my aunt styled for Vanity Fair, a home interior my mother designed, or the way my grandfather dressed to go to the office. At a very young age I began to develop a personal sense of style, and I guess fashion is just the medium I have chosen to express that.

Illustration by Zachary Blumenfeld.

Who were your fashion icons growing up and who are they now?

I grew up skateboarding and surfing, and I think for the majority of skateboarders style is very important. At 13 years old, I was waiting in line at HUF on Sutter Street to get my hands on the newest sneaker release. Every time I would go to Los Angeles to visit family, I would beg my parents to take me to Supreme. My style and taste have definitely evolved since then. While I still appreciate street wear, I am much more interested in tailored clothing. Designers such as Tom Ford, Michael Bastian, Mark McNairy, and Thom Browne inspire me every day.

What have been your favorite classes at the School of Fashion?

My favorite courses at the University have not necessarily been because of the course curriculum, but rather because of the instructors. My very first semester at the School of Fashion, I had phenomenal instructors and classmates.

You recently began working at Wilkes Bashford, what are you doing for them?

I began working at Wilkes Bashford last summer. It has been a great experience. I work with a group of people that have a passion for tailored clothing and customer service. Whether it’s doing alterations for a customer’s new Kiton sport coat, or making them an espresso while they are ordering a made to measure suit, my main priority when I am at work is to assist sales. Along with that, I get to work with the visual merchandising department and occasionally will sell clothing to customers. Wilkes carries some of the finest tailored clothing in the world. Being able to pass on the passion and inspiration that was put into making a garment to the customer is a great feeling.

Wilkes Bashford window display designed by Zachary Blumenfeld.

What are you currently obsessed with? 

Fuck Yeah Menswear

If you could dress anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

There isn’t anyone that comes to mind. I’m sure the majority of design students would be able to throw down a large list of actor and celebrity names. If at some point I decide that I want to have my own line, it’s going to be because I think the time is right and I would make clothes that I would want to wear myself. So, I guess just someone that truly wants to look the best they possibly can and who appreciates the fine details.

What is your most beloved item of clothing?

I have a red cashmere, Loro Piana turtleneck sweater that was my grandfather’s. It’s just a perfectly made, timeless piece of clothing

What is the most important thing people should know about you?

I express my personal taste and style through every aspect of life.

Sketch by Zachary Blumenfeld.

For more Student Spotlights, click here.

Fashion School Daily spotted this week’s Student Spotlight, sketching in the front row of  Gladys Perint Palmer’s Fashion Illustration workshop in February. Amy Yip‘s drawings stopped us in our tracks with her gorgeous renderings of everything from her Starbucks cup to a portrait of Gladys herself! We caught up with the artist who hails from New Zealand, and is in her second semester of studying Fashion Design. Below she tells us about her style inspiration, what brought her stateside, and why she’s already left her heart in San Francisco.

What is your first vivid memory of fashion?

I was teaching myself how to sew, and I looked upstairs in my mother’s bedroom for some magazines. I found Vogue magazines from 2000, 2001 and 2004, and flipped through them for design ideas. I loved seeing all the different creations – how they draped fabric, what prints were designed, color, textures, trends, embellishments and the creation of stories, realized ideas and dreams. I knew from then on that there’d always be a place in my heart for fashion – as corny as that sounds.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

I am Chinese and I was born in New Zealand. After graduating high school I attended Whitecliffe College of Art and Design. I left in 2011 after being told by a Senior Lecturer that I was “intellectually dumb” for writing a negative review of a film we were shown in class (Synecdoche, New York, 2008). This lecturer had given me straight A’s in the past, and I think he was upset that I didn’t interpret the film as the high art that he presented it. This made me question whether art was really about self-expression, subjectivity, or subject to the same bureaucracies and agendas as any other industry. I realized that I had to leave Fine Arts because it seemed to conform rather than to confront.

I went in a completely different direction and decided to manage my parent’s café. I worked there full time and enjoyed a change of scenery. I got to meet people in the neighborhood who I would never have talked to before.  It was a great experience, but I wasn’t being challenged creatively.

Illustrations by Amy Yip

How did you make the decision to continue your studies in the US?

My boyfriend was the one that convinced me that I needed to go back to school. I decided that this time I needed to set higher goals, and challenge myself more than ever. What bigger challenge than moving to a completely new country?

I grew up always wanting to live in America. A lot of New Zealand culture is an assimilation of culture and media here in the United States.  I felt like I was experiencing everything by proxy, and that all these great things that were happening were taking place 10,000 miles away in this distant land. An old tutor at Whitecliffe told me I should study overseas. I didn’t think much of it at the time. I thought my education would be the same anywhere. Now I understand that I have to be in control of my future and really consider myself on an international scale.

I was researching fashion schools all over the world – in London, Melbourne, Hong Kong and New York. I heard a lot of great things about San Francisco, and I came across AAU. Once I found out that it is the only school where the students get to show at New York Fashion Week, that pretty much sold it for me. When I arrived I didn’t know how much I would love the city, but I do. Life is so convenient, eventful, exciting, fun and challenging.

What have been your favorite classes that you’ve taken?

My favorite class last semester was Fashion Illustration 1. It was the most time consuming, most demanding, and most challenging class, but I really loved it. My tutor was amazing. She was from New Zealand too, but was only teaching at the University for one semester. She always made us laugh and made drawing fun. It can be very tedious sitting for eight hours a week, studying every little inch of the nude figure. It was always a pleasure to come to her class because I knew that with each one I was improving. It was also good to have a fellow kiwi in the room!

Illustrations by Amy Yip

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I don’t think I have one in particular at this stage. Rather than come here and attempt to view my learning through the filter of my own aesthetic, I’m trying to learn new styles and techniques and allow them to inform the creation of my aesthetic. At the moment, I love the perfectly imperfect line that captures the angle or movement of the subject. It’s interesting how little of the line can be used, and what the eye can still recognize. I’m also really fond of mixed media work. I like drawings to be playful, whimsical, and perfectly imperfect.

In terms of fashion, I love the word ‘whimsical’. It’s why I chose fashion. I think of fashion as realizing dreams and never having to grow up. The irony is that maturity and experience is necessary to appreciate that notion. I’m a very pragmatic person, and I believe that I am designing for a customer. I want to consider her lifestyle, and I think she is a young, urban, career woman who is professional in the workplace, but not boring. She wants to exude a sense of play and whimsy.

What are your interests outside of fashion?

I love baking. Before I arrived in San Francisco, I wanted to be a baker like my parents and sisters. I wanted to start a cake decorating company. I made a few cakes while working at the café, but was mostly decorating cookies and creating new treats. It was fun, but it became very repetitive and after six months I realized needed to do something else or my life could become stagnant. Besides baking, I love interior design, architecture and graphic design, leather shoes, 20^th century art history, paper stocks, watching TV shows and visiting new places. I’d love to travel throughout the US during my time here. I would be happy living the rest of my life in America. I love the diversity and how, if you like something, there’s bound to be more people who do too.

Illustration by Amy Yip

Who are some of your favorite designers and artists?

My favorite fine artists include René Magritte, Marcel Duchamp and Tom Friedman.  Illustrators I like include René Bouché, Egon Schiele and our very own Gladys Perint Palmer. It’s great that she is a part of our school. Her work definitely has the element of whim that I admire. Egon Schiele is great at defining overlapping body parts, and René Bouché is really great at capturing the moment.

I would have to say that I didn’t really come here with a list of my favorite fashion designers. I wanted my experience to involve a lot of learning and room for change. Fashion designers I like at the moment include Stella McCartney, Temperley London and Rebecca Taylor, Karen Walker, Chloe, Miu Miu, Isabel Marant and Rodarte. I would love to design functional and playful women’s casual/work wear.

 What are your favorite materials to work with?

I love Indian ink. When I started last year, I would never have touched the stuff. I didn’t know how to control the medium, and I think that’s what scared me the most. My tutor drew most of her illustrations with ink, and I really admired her drawings. I decided I wanted to be confident with ink by the end of last semester, and I think I got there. After refining my skills with pencils and charcoal, it provided the necessary confidence to control Indian ink. I love using soft pastels, Tombow pens and watercolors to add color and texture. I think adding collage and patterned paper will be interesting. I just picked up some gold and silver pastels that look fun.

Illustrations by Amy Yip

What do you dream of doing after school?

I don’t think I could return home. I spend hours everyday enjoying my new life here. I feel so free, excited to learn, and excited for where the future could take me.

I’d love to gain some experience in the fashion industry here in the United States, and hopefully launch my own line. I feel really lucky to be here and wish I could tell aspiring students to study abroad. It is has been an invaluable learning experience – this country has so much to offer.

For more “Student Spotlights” click here.

Winner of the Joe’s Blackbook Scholarship for Men’s Wear, Jesse Rhoads (left), and finalist, Esther Shim, at the reception for the 2013 competition in New York. Photo courtesy of Ryan Scott.

Last week, the ACE Hotel in New York hosted the final round judging for student designs submitted for the annual Joe’s Blackbook Design Competition. Juniors from the top design schools in the country compete every year for the invaluable opportunity to present their projects to industry employers and the ultimate first prize: a $10,000 scholarship. Judges include executives from The Gap, Burkman Brothers, Donna Karan, Rag + Bone, Daryl K and Kate Spade to name a few. This year, Fashion School Daily is thrilled to announce that Men’s Wear Design student Esther Shim was selected as one of the six finalists in the competition, and Men’s Wear & Knitwear Design student Jesse Rhoads was awarded the 2013 Joe’s Blackbook Scholarship for Men’s Wear. We caught up with Esther and Jesse, newly returned from New York, to congratulate the designers and talk Blackbook in the Big Apple.

Tell me about what inspired the design projects you submitted for consideration.

JR: The concept for this project began with the idea of reinterpreting classic nautical. Early research into well-worn fisherman sweaters from the late 1800’s led me on a search to find unique ways to treat knits and provide them with durable finishes. These finishes allowed me to incorporate up-cycled knits into the collection, using surplus military sweaters to create accessories such as a convertible backpack/shoulder bag and a molded knit hat, as well as carrying over into the design of my outerwear. The fusion of classic and innovative, new and used, sumptuous and rugged, and country and city are the essence of the garments.

ES: My inspiration comes from being intrigued by the attitude and emotion expressed in the lifestyle of skate culture. Not taking a literal translation of the lifestyle, but the spirit of each individual engulfed in it. Their unique, off-kilter, style compared to the societal norm.  A great reference that helped my thought process was watching the “Dogtown and Z-Boys” (2001) documentary. I wanted a collection that represented the quality of being domestically produced, and had a dressed up but still sporty, casual, essence to each look.

Inspiration boards by Jesse Rhoads (left) and Esther Shim.

What was the hardest part about creating your collection? 

ES: Probably having everything down to the littlest detail be cohesive. I stitched and restitched all of the contents of the pages down on canvas, image by image. I wanted to illustrate the vision of a collection in a way where there needs no explanation, just a lot of attention to the details. Dedicating yourself to execute this successfully really helps you improve and gain understanding from those looking at your project.

What did you when you found out you had been selected as a finalist?

JR: I called my Mom and Dad. Exactly what you do when you hear amazing news.

ES: When I got the phone call, I didn’t believe what was going on. The first thing that popped into my head was how many people I have to thank for this opportunity. So many who made this possible. I wanted to call Simon Ungless, John Bauernfeind my instructor, my family, everyone!

Who were the judges you presented to?

JR: Final Round judges included Doug & Ben Burkman (Burkman Bros), Tim Coppens (CFDA nominee for Men’s Wear 2013), Stefan Miljanic (Gilded Age), and Tony Kretten (Gap). 

ES: They all took time out of their busy schedules to listen to three men’s wear students present their work. They asked tough questions, and gave feedback from a professional standpoint. It was great to have that insight, and to be able to meet them all afterwards at the reception.

Jesse, how did it feel when you were told you had been chosen as the winner of this year’s competition?

JR: I felt shocked and honored. The two other finalists were extremely talented and submitted beautiful work, including Esther. The opportunity to present my work to such an amazing panel of judges, and to then be chosen by them, was a surreal experience.

Competition design lineups by Jesse Rhoads (left) and Esther Shim.

What was your favorite part of being in New York?

ES: The best part about being in New York would have to be just being amidst the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. The flagship stores on every street and all the corporate buildings in walking distance from each other! I loved just being able to have a glimpse of such a thriving, famous city in the duration of my short stay. I met amazing people and couldn’t have experienced it any better than the way I did.

JR: People watching. It’s always intriguing to visit different neighborhoods in the city and observe what’s happening on the streets. It’s a place where you can see a bit of the best and the worst all in one sitting.

 Congratulations to Jesse Rhoads and Esther Shim. To learn more about the Joe’s Blackbook Design Competition, click here.

Photo courtesy of Discarded to Divine.

Happy Friday everyone! In case you missed 625 Polk’s gorgeous window display featuring the reclaimed home decor designs for this year’s Discarded to Divine Gallery & Auction Event, make sure to stop by this evening’s Friday Nights at the de Young. For one night only, preview the couture creations and home decor created by School of Fashion students, alumni and faculty that will be up for auction at the 2013 charity event, next Tuesday, April 16th. Benefitting the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco, all proceeds will go to providing services for those battling poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.

Doors open tonight at 5:30 PM and admissions is FREE. Need we say more? See you there!

WHAT: Friday Nights at the de Young – Discarded to Divine Preview

WHEN: Friday, April 12th from 5:30 – 8:30 PM

WHERE: De Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive

For more information about the 2013 Discarded to Divine Gallery & Auction event, click here.

Candy Hsin Yu Chu grew up in Taipei, Taiwan where she graduated from Guang Ren High School. Currently earning her B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University, Candy’s graduation collection uses shearling, silk Duchess and organza and is inspired by her love of traveling. On a trip through Alaska last year, Candy was deeply influenced by the region’s ethnic groups and glacier climbers. She incorporated vintage, outdoor details throughout her collection such as pockets, two way zippers, and drawstrings.

Follow the jump for more with Candy!

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?
Coco Chanel.

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?
Leather items (hats, watches, etc.)

What is your [style] motto?

Simple, light and fresh.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Being able to cook.

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.

Naiqing Phoebe Wang grew up in Qingdao, China and attended the Academy of Art University to pursue a B.F.A in Women’s Wear. A former assistant designer for Jason Wu, Naiqing used mesh, silk organza, coated wool, coated cotton, wool, and patent leather to create her collection inspired by the uniforms of oil workers.

Follow the jump for more with Naiqing!

Naiqing…

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?

Kate Moss.

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?

My leather jacket.

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

Ankle boots.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Being able to cook!

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?

Phoebe Philo.

 For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.

Ryan Morar grew up in Santa Monica / West LA where he graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School. Currently earning his B.F.A. in Menswear Design, Ryan was selected as a winner in the “Menswear” category of the 2011 Discarded to Divine Design Competition and Charity Auction. His graduation collection is inspired mainly by Robert Rauschenberg’s “Combines” mixed media artwork, along with influences of discordant sounds of early ’80’s Sonic Youth and Beat Happening albums. Elements of garments were deconstructed to create different shapes, new silhouettes and give a very raw, free-form aesthetic to the collection. Ryan collaborated with B.F.A. Textile Design student Melissa Avalos.

Melissa Avalos was born in Houston, Texas but grew up in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. Visually inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s works, Melissa collaborated with Menswear Design student Ryan Morar, listening to old school hip hop as her soundtrack for those long days printing patterns.

Follow the jump for more with Ryan and Melissa!

Ryan…

What is your greatest [style] regret?

Wearing the same outfit several days in a row.

What is your [style] motto?

Enjoy clothes and express yourself…life’s too short!

Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to speak several different languages.

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?  

Rei Kawakubo and David Bowie.

Melissa…

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], which would it be?

The beautiful Mexican actress Maria Felix, La Doña.

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

My G-Star army green jacket that has pigment on it.

What is your [style] motto?

All black everything.

What is your most treasured possession?

My ambition and hardworking nature.

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.

Lili Pham grew up in Milpitas, California and is earning her B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University. Using vinyl, silk, and cotton, Lili’s collections is inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial 1955 novel, Lolita, paired with the wonders of the sea. An experiment with balance, six final looks were designed to represent Lolita’s playful innocence combined with Humbert’s perverse darkness. Lili collaborated with Textile Design student Kaitlin Perkins and Jewelry & Metal Arts major Ashley Lagasse.

Kaitlin Perkins was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Traverse City Central High School. She is pursuing a B.F.A. in Textile Design. Collaborating with Fashion Design student Lili Pham and Jewelry & Metal Arts student Ashley Lagasse, Kaitlin helped create the textures of the collection to invoke the duality of Nabokov’s Lolita and Humbert, showcasing the varied sides of human nature. Silhouettes were exaggerated to evoke the aesthetic of sea creatures, but seams were drafted to recall 1950′s bathing suits.

Ashley Lagasse graduated from Grace King High School in New Orleans, Louisiana and is earning her B.F.A. in Jewelry & Metal Arts from the Academy of Art University. Taking first place in “Vessels / Sculptural Objects” in last year’s Enamelist Society’s Design Competition, Ashley used copper, brass, bronze, enamel lacquer, resin and leather to create the macabre metalwork shown as part of Lili Pham‘s collection. She created pieces that were dark yet whimsical by adding clean, soft colors to her metalwork that was inspired by animal parts and textures.

Follow the jump for more with Lili, Kaitlin & Ashley!

Lili…

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?

Grace Kelly or Brigitte Bardot. Or both!

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?

My black leather motorcycle jacket.

What is your [style] motto?

Black is the new black. As Yohji Yamamoto said, “Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy – but mysterious. But above all black says this: ‘I don’t bother you – don’t bother me’.”

What is your most treasured possession?

My cigar box collection.

Kaitlin…

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?

Annie Hall.

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?

My black leather jacket.

What is your most treasured possession?

A gold locket from my great grandmother.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Invisibility.

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.

Kittiya Punrapun was born in Bangkok, Thailand, but attended the Lycée Jeanne d’Arc, Clermont Ferrand, in France. She is pursuing a B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University and received an Honorable Mention in last year’s CFDA Scholarship Design Competition. With laminated silk, wool silk blend, and taffeta, Kittiya used complex pattern-cutting to create overlaid panelling construction. Fabric was folded and inserted within seams to achieve architectural form. Inspired by body-conscious curved outlines reminiscent of the irregular, Kittiya’s collection incorporated distorted organic forms to enhance clean base colors and highlight proportion and form.

Follow the jump for more with Kittiya!

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?

My vintage AllSaints leather jacket.

What is your [style] motto?

I’d rather do nothing, than do something I know I don’t love

What is your most treasured possession?

My memories.

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?

Tilda Swinton

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Events, click here.

Pipatchara Kaojinda was born in Bangkok Thailand and graduated from the Chitralada School. A former intern for Ralph Lauren, and finalist for the 2012 Joe’s Black Book Design Competition, Pipatchara is pursuing her B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University. Her graduation collection is made up of varying leathers and is inspired by the tribal aspects of Native American culture. Pipatchara used traditional design motive details and silhouettes with a neutral color palette to reflect the idea of nature and untouched beauty. She collaborated with Knitwear Design student, Emma Mengchen Yang.

Emma Mengchen Yang grew up in Beijing, China and is graduating from the Academy of Art University with a B.F.A. in Fashion Design & Knitwear Design. Using merino wool, viscose and cotton, Emma collaborated with Pipatchara to create her graduation collection inspired by Native American culture.  Emma has previously interned with Bay Area knitwear brand, Margaret O’Leary, as well as Julia Panciroli Couture.

Pipatchara…

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?

Yves Saint Laurent.

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?  

My own coat that I designed  in Level 4.

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

Velvet leggings.

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?

Stella McCartney.

Emma…

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?

Everyone has his own personality and life style, so I would just like to come back as myself.

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?

Sweaters!

What is your most treasured possession?

The passion for design and endless creativity.

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?

Alexander McQueen and Valentino.

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.

Cangyue Zhang grew up in Liaoning, China and is earning her B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University. A former design assistant for Bay Area based couturier Julia Panciroli, Cangyue’s graduation collection channels a more tomboy style, inspired by ’80′s sportswear. She created each look in her collection using French and Italian brocades as well as silk jacquard.

What is your current state of mind?

Looking forward to the next stage of my fashion career.

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

Hoodies and jeans.

What is your most treasured possession?

My sewing tools.

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?

“MAMA” ROB.

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.

Blake Conaway grew up in Houston, texas and is currently earning his B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Following H.R.H. Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud‘s visit to the School of Fashion last May, Blake was selected as one of six students to travel to Saudi Arabia and design a collection for display at the Harvey Nichols Department Store in Riyadh. While in Saudi Arabia, Blake was very inspired by the designs he saw in the local boutiques. The modern Saudi Arabian woman is very energetic and fashion forward and, in designing this collection, Blake intended to capture their essence with his elegant and sophisticated looks.

Blake…

What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?

My Louis Vuitton patent leather loafers.

What is your greatest [style] regret?

Using Sun-In on my hair in middle school.

What is your [style] motto?

Easy, breezy, and plaid.

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?

Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy.

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.

Esther Kim grew up on the island of Island of Oahu, Wahiawa, Hawaii and graduated from the Leilehua High School. She is currently purusing her B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University. Following H.R.H. Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud‘s visit to the School of Fashion last May, Esther was selected as one of six students to travel to Saudi Arabia and design a collection for display at the Harvey Nichols Department Store in Riyadh. Inspired by the beauty and identity of the modern Saudi woman, Esther used a combination of silk charmeuse and polyester to create her designs for the project.

Esther…

If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?

Bianca Jagger.  Exotic, glamorous, and covered in Halston.

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

I guess it would have to be my black and red Reeboks. I use them so much that I have holes burning through the top from walking/working out. I love them.

What is your [style] motto?

Wear what feels good and be yourself.

Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?

Rihanna has always been my favorite. Her style is fun, edgy, and always makes a statement.

For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.