So, what are the kids into these days? Ruffles, voluminous sleeves, and pleats. Pink, gray, black, and pleather. But an even stronger common thread among the grads’ designs was clothes with a message. These designers are more interested in honoring their heritage, promoting individual identity, and pushing boundaries than something merely pretty.
Video clips before each collection revealed glimpses of the designer in the studio with a voiceover of his or her philosophy on how fashion can build confidence, challenge stereotypes, and ideally change the world.
“The students who enter the Advanced Fashion Design Program go through a rigorous interview process and are ultimately hand-picked to create a capsule collection from inspiration to conception in a nine-month period,” says Nick Verreos, co-chair of fashion design and film and TV costume design at FIDM. “This is a master class in learning how to develop a professional mini-collection to industry standards. [Co-chair] David Paul and I are very proud of the variety of creativity and design on display. These graduates are the future of fashion!”Â
