Global Fashion Capitals Presented by FIT

Do you think that fashion lives only in Paris, New York in Milan? While many top labels choose to show in these cities, there are thriving designers and brands that have a community all over the world. The Museum at FIT recently held a symposium covering global fashion capitals powering the style industry today to accompany their recent museum exhibit.

The showpiece of the event was a runway show featuring international designers. Marina Hoermanseder of Berlin, Richard Seco of Mexico City, Lisa Folawiyo of Lagos, Arzu Kaprol of Istanbul and Lie Sangbong of Seoul showed their collections on the stage.

The symposium covered the history of immigrants who worked in fashion manufacturing to international locations that inspire trends, technology, branding and culture that moves the fashion industry to global fashion bloggers influencing today's style. Students were able to learn more about working and living in the different fashion capitals from representatives who do just that.

The exhibit itself showed notable designers represented cities throughout fashion history and the eras that each city started making a global impact in influence. Think Charles Worth putting Paris on the map as one of the first named "fashion designer" as opposed to a tailor or seamstress then Coco Chanel in the 1920s pioneering sportswear for women. There was the 1930's for New York where career wear, sportswear really flourished with 7th avenue. London captured the world's attention with punk and the youthquake movement with designers like Vivienne Westwood. The 1970's was all about Italians, the 1990's Antwerp and Tokyo.

With so many cities producing great collections, designers have more opportunities and more options than ever in where they do business. I'm seeing more designers returning to hometowns or bringing their home cultures into their brands. Wherever you find inspiration, the fashion world can follow.

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Designer, Fashion Entrepreneur Opportunities + Project Runway!

Hello fashion moguls (to be).  Whether you are a fashion designer looking to sell and gain exposure, or established and ready to take your collection to global brand status, I found some great fashion start-up opportunities to get you there.

The Fashion Institute of Technology has an intensive program that trains working designers on all of the business aspects of running your collection.  They are accepting a handful of the most promising designers who apply for the Design Entrepreneurs NYC program.  Think of it as a FREE crash course MBA for all of the stuff they don't teach you in the design program itself... Your deadline is March 31, 2014.

If you already have a successful company and have been in business for 7 years or more, DHL Exported might be for you.  You need to demonstrate that you have already gone through sales and production for your collection and be ready to present your looks on an international level.  Winners will be debut at fashion capitals like Tokyo, London, Milan and New York.  DHL will underwrite production, etc.  If you are ready, apply to DHL Exported.   Deadline is April 2, 2014.

New designer and looking to show and sell your goods during the holiday season?  Grand Central Terminal is having an open call for their holiday market tomorrow and Thursday, March 27, 2014.  The market reaches thousands and thousands of commuters and tourists.  They insist on handmade and are looking for accessories, tabletop, etc. in addition to fashion.  Show your stuff at the Grand Central Holiday Market Open Call.

Of course, if television fame is as important as fashion fortune to you, the Project Runway Casting is for you.  If you know of the show at all, you know what they are looking for.  Great design (and execution!) skills and big personalities.  Winners get to show at NY Fashion Week and $100K to make their collection happen.  Apply by April 14, 2014.

Good luck and remember me when you are famous!
photos by David TW Leung and LifetimeTV

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FIT Fashion Show 2013 - Special Occasion Graduates

The recent crop of fashion design graduates from F.I.T. are ready for the red carpet.  Under the direction of famed bridal designer Amsale Aberra and Maggie Norris, the students presented innovative options for evening wear dresses.

Fashion design graduates Alyssa Collura, Kenneth Anderson,Alexis Raia, Manuela Ocampo, solih Lim, Brenna Simmons, Jasmin ruiz, Soo Kim and award winners Elle Loow and Trung Vu created looks that set themselves apart from the classic special occasion labels by using unusual patterns and textures on their gowns.  They favored sexy seaming dimensional embellishments and innovative twists on traditional silhouettes.

Will they dress the celebrities of award shows to come?  Will you see their work adorn the next Met ball?  I'm sure they hope so, and have create a convincing argument that they deserve to... Congratulations graduates!

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Fashion and Technology Exhibit

The FIT future of fashion graduate show is tonight.  However, what can you expect of fashion in the actual future?  The Museum at FIT presents theories to that question in their Fashion and Technology exhibit which runs until next week.

The show examines innovations in technology over the years in textile manufacturing, the sewing machine through to the possibilities of digital and 3D printing.  It also explores how the internet and social media has changed the way fashion labels market and brand themselves.

The fashion on display represent examples of how designers, independent and established have adapted and used high-tech treatments for fabric into their designs.  (The pink dress above is made of three dimensional molded shapes by Pierre Cardin in 1968, the optic patterned jumpsuit on the right is Jean Paul Gaultier's cyber graphic print from 1996).

The exhibit also shows how current culture of the times could influence day to day fashion.  The art deco movement in architecture reflected in the new use of geometric designs clothing.  The 1960's space race of politics and science manifested itself in astronaut-inspired bodysuits as if civilians were ready to head out to the moon themselves.

If you can't make it to the exhibit (it ends on May 8, 2013) then you should definitely check out the show website.  It has a thorough glossary to bone up on all the new garment technology terms.  It has a fantastic illustrated timeline of fashion technology and a great reading list to explore.  Need more? There is also a page of weblinks that leads you to more sites that cover all the futuristic fashion bytes.

photos by the Museum at FIT

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Sustainable Fashion Symposium

Designer with a conscience?  FIT is hosting a conference to help retailers, designers and manufacturers learn about sustainability.  There will be sessions on eco-friendly raw materials, color techniques and production technology to help fashion producers create apparel responsibly.

The symposium takes place on July 12, 2012 at the Fashion Institute of Technology's Great Hall (227 West 27th street).  Click HERE to register.

For more information, check out their website.

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Fashion Institute of Technology - Class of 2012

The Fashion Institute of Technology had one of the most flamboyant shows of the design school grads around town this month.  Those who could not attend the show live were able to stream it in 3-D at home.

Categories from lingerie, womens wear, menswear, and childrens were interpreted in a variety of techniques and looks.  Students worked under designer critics like Victor Alfaro, Josie Natori and Michelle Smith to create their collections.  The clothing then went through a rigorous judging process to be included in the show by fashion industry bigwigs like Elle Magazine's Joe Zee, VH1's Alana Kelen and Harper's Bazaar editor Laura Brown.

Learn more about the students, the judges and mentors at their site. 

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Ken and Barbie Get An F.I.T. Makeover

The Fashion Institute of Technology crowned student designers of multiple disciplines as winners of their "Play With Fashion" competition this week.  Their challenge was to give iconic Mattel characters Barbie and Ken an entire makeover, including their stylish home, bling and a photo shoot.  Winners included Veronica Zhou for jewelry design, Maor Tapiro for fashion design, Jessica Mazur for interior design, Loreal Prystaj for photography, and Elyse Falato for visual presentation and exhibition design.

Elle Magazine's creative director, Joe Zee guest judge.  Daily Front Row interviewed him about what he learned at Mattel's headquarters and what his dream Barbie Doll would be.

Damn, that doll always got the good stuff...
Diane Bondareff for Barbie via Daily Front Row

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Olivier Theyskens at FIT

One of the most influential designers of our current times gave an informal talk at the Museum at F.I.T. recently.  Olivier Theyskens, at a young age was appointed creative director at the House of Rochas, followed by artistic director at legendary couture house, Nina Ricci.  He currently designs a caspule collection for Theory.

Refreshingly, Mr. Theyskens was charming and matter-of-fact.  He chose to show slides of the various things, abstract and practical that inspired him.  He described his humble beginnings, creating Gothic jackets (pictured left) out of his grandparent's sheets.  On his own response to media questions about his "muse", he thinks to himself, "whoops..." at not having one prepared.  

For someone with such a lofty resume and impressive creative work, I expected a more pretentious, jaded man at the podium.  I expected a lengthy speech about his direction, work, and a lot of other self-absorbed stuff one expects of designers of his caliber.  

Instead, he described his favorite images, like the blue and mystery of one, how he was moved by the contrast of rough boots and ethereal dress of another with childlike awe and enthusiasm.   He frequently referred to his design team sitting in front of him and noted it was a collaborative effort.

I loved his response to a tough question from the audience.  Someone asked for his response to the theory that women are more qualified to design for women because they know what they need and like to wear.  He was not offended, and did not disagree.  Rather, he explained that yes, women absolutely know themselves more, but he designs from the view of what looks beautiful on them as an outside admirer. 

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Expressions Dentelle Lace Exhibit at FIT

Lace evokes images from sexy screen sirens to soft, classic beauties of the Edwardian age.

Lace can easily look déclassé, if it's not well made and designed. Thisis why New Yorkers are in for a lovely surprise if they can attend the current exhibit on lace at the Fashion Institute of Technology. 

The exhibit is to help promote France's Nord-Pas de Calais region and features lace dress designer, Claire Catoire's exceptional design work.

                           

There are two modern and covet worthy lace collections by Claire Catoire titled "Claire veut la lune" which is a collection of wedding dresses and sexy, transparent black dresses titled under "Lace skin".   

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