"Catching up and Looking Forward"
ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY DESIGNERS SHOW INNOVATION IN SPRING COLLECTIONSBy Cassie Batinich
On Saturday, the Academy of Art University’s seven up-and-coming designers showed their lines to a packed tent, and though this show did not feature the who's who of designers in fashion, it may have featured the who’s next.
This season, the San Fransisco based school of design selected Marina Nikolaeva Popska, Kara Sennett, Amanda Cleary, Richelle Valenzuela, Brittany Major, Jie Pan and Sawanya Jomthepmala to debut their talent and catch attention in New York.
Fortunately, I showed up early enough to interview two fashion figures who are on the way up in the industry themselves.
Season Four Project Runway contestants Kevin Christiana and Jack Mackenroth agreed that the Academy’s show was one of their favorites and were eager to see what this season's designers would present.
"It's a very innovative show, these designers are at the top of their class," said Kevin Christiana. "It reminds you of when you're a student and you're not trying to sell your line, you can have fun with it."
Jack covered the Academy's show last season for Logo, and though he is working full time at Fashion Week interviewing designers for Fashion News Live, he came to check out the Academy because of the potential it produces.
As for their personal careers, both are still designing - Kevin has a collection on display at this season's Fashion Week - and together they are working on launching a television show. The pilot is currently looking for a network to call home, so Project Runway fans be alert for a future debut!
When the lights were dimmed and the show started the mood was young and hip. The designers collections were unique but featured a relatable trend. Combining nudes, grays or white with a colorful overlay or accent piece was a dominate trend. The more technical designers showed pieces solidly constructed using tricky materials such as horsehair, or dresses featuring futuristic cutout patterns. Almost every piece presented featured beautifully constructed fabrics with concise lines.
The aura overall felt modern - Popska's collection of psychedelic knit textures in soft, pastel colors over nude bodysuits was especially eye grabbing.
Jomthepmala - the last designer to show - seemed to receive the most attention from the audience. Her pieces were prim and printed, topped off or paired with a solid colored jacket or vest in pink, yellow or teal. (J. Alexander, or Ms. J, of America's Next Top Model was especially impressed with this collection; he clapped wildly from the first row when the designer came onto the runway following the show).
So, for this season, the Academy collections achieved innovation. The show may have not been especially couture but it was reflective of the designers themselves: young, trendy and full of potential.
