The Future of Fashion runway show, presented by Macy’s, dazzled guests at The Glasshouse on Wednesday, May 8. The show featured designs created by a select group of 73 graduates in the class of 2024 in FIT’s Fashion Design BFA program.
The work of these students, who started at FIT near the beginning of the pandemic, pushes the boundaries of creativity. Their thesis designs feature dragons, themes of interconnectivity, and sustainable materials. Embellishments include beaded, knitted fringe; dip-dyed ombre; bright orange faux fur; and much more.
Students across all five specializations—children’s wear, intimate apparel, knitwear, special occasion, and sportswear—brought vibrant color and texture to their innovative fashions. Hairstyling for the models in the show was provided by Bumble & Bumble, makeup services by Dior Beauty.
Thirteen of the designers won Critic Awards, given each year by the renowned industry mentors who work alongside students in their final semester. Each critic is a leader in one of the Fashion Design program’s areas of specialization; many are alumni of the program. Find detailed bios of our critics on the Future of Fashion website at fitnyc.edu/future.
The 2024 Critic Award winners are:
- Keyue Chen, Special Occasion
- Ryan DePaolo, Intimate Apparel
- Chloe Franzen, Sportswear
- Madeline Hausner, Sportswear
- Sofie Hultbom, Special Occasion
- Namwoo Kim, Sportswear
- Everette Landers, Sportswear
- Hayden Mullikin, Sportswear
- Mai Nanao, Knitwear
- Sunghye Park, Sportswear
- Yilei Qian, Knitwear
- Kea Odum Seng, Special Occasion
- Stephanie She, Children’s Wear
Macy’s, through its social purpose platform Mission Every One, sponsored the show for the third consecutive year and presented two awards:
Irene Alexandra Cubides is the Macy’s x Bar III Capsule Collection Winner. Her look will be produced in a short run and sold in Macy’s Herald Square and other select Macy’s stores in Spring 2025. Cubides’ look was selected by Macy’s in-house design team for its originality and quality of craftsmanship.
Grace Cooper is the first recipient of the new Macy’s Bold Representation: Empowered Design Award. This award celebrates one student who deftly articulates their inspiration and brings it to life through their final design, which Cooper demonstrated by telling a story of women in sports.
Catch the video of the Future of Fashion, presented by Macy’s below, and visit the Future of Fashion website to learn more about the students and their thesis designs.