The countdown to The Future of Fashion runway show, presented by Calvin Klein, on Thursday, April 30, is underway. The judges have made their selections, the runway models have been fitted, and now a select group of BFA Fashion Design students await the big day.
Nicole Richie will host this highly-anticipated, professionally produced, end-of-year runway show featuring sensational, innovative looks created by FIT’s top graduating Fashion Design students—including the Critic Award-winning looks in sportswear, special occasion, knitwear, intimate apparel and children’s wear, plus this year’s new feature, the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Richie, a creative director, entrepreneur, philanthropist, writer, and actress, will bring her vivacious personality and eye for fashion to The Future of Fashion. “From an early age, I was fascinated with creating my own, unique look,” said Richie, creative director of House of Harlow 1960. “Staying true to yourself and not letting others influence you is very important. The Future of Fashion runway offers these emerging designers a unique opportunity to get their designs in front of influential members of the industry at the beginning of their careers. To witness their creations come to life on the runway [with them] will truly be inspirational!”
Nine major designers and design houses mentored the students as they created their final collections, visiting classrooms throughout the spring semester to critique the students’ designs. This year’s critics were Reem Acra (Special Occasion), Jason Malher and Annalise Frank from American Eagle Outfitters (Knitwear), Victoria Bartlett (Sportswear), Morgan Curtis (Intimate Apparel), Tess Giberson (Knitwear), Azede Jean-Pierre (Sportswear), Phillip Lim (Sportswear), and Nicholas and Christopher Kunz from Nicholas K (Sportswear). Each selected the most exceptional garment created by a student in their group for special citation as a Critic Award winner. This year’s winners are Lisaneyla Almonte (Special Occasion), Jose Camacho (Sportswear), Ting He (Knitwear), Esmeralda Fyhr (Intimate Apparel), Sofia Menasse (Sportswear), Luis Peralta (Sportswear), Chanan Reifen (Knitwear), Veronica Romero Schon (Sportswear), and Anjani Yarlagadda (Childrenswear).
Fashion Design faculty selected 27 garments (three from each of nine classes) to be eligible for the first-ever People’s Choice Award. More than 17,000 total votes were cast, with more than 25,000 unique visitors. The contest was promoted through social media. The People’s Choice winner was Caroline Vagnone.
Six outstanding fashion and media professionals judged the students’ designs to determine which garments are exceptional enough to earn a spot on the runway. This year’s judges were Bryan Boy (blogger, BryanBoy.com), Annie Georgia Greenberg (senior style editor of Refinery29), Anne Keane (fashion director at Lucky), Maria Marrero (group content chief of Meredith Hispanic Media, publisher of Siempre Mujer and Ser Padres magazines), Lilliana Vasquez (founder, CheapChicas.com; author of The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style), and Colleen Sherin (senior fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue).
The show is supported by a $2 million multi-year gift from FIT alumnus Calvin Klein through the Calvin Klein Family Foundation, and the company he founded, Calvin Klein, Inc. The show is also made possible by a generous grant from M•A•C. Support for the show’s video presentation is provided by Chico’s FAS.
The Future of Fashion will take place in the John E. Reeves Great Hall. While admission is by invitation only, the show will be streamed live on the web at fitnyc.edu/futureoffashion.
To follow the lead-up to The Future of Fashion, visit fitnyc.edu/futureoffashion