Spring means commencement at Academy of Art University. For graduates of the School of Fashion, it also brings the annual Graduation Fashion Show, where they present their final collections. This year’s show took place May 14 in San Francisco before admirers and honored guests—the latter including Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and 2014 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runner-up honoree Ryan Roche, an Academy Fashion alumna.
Speaking about this opportunity to introduce the work of BFA and MFA graduates to the fashion world, Academy President Elisa Stephens said, “We see our role in these designers’ education as going beyond the classroom. We are committed to help launch our students’ careers and have their collections seen by as many industry professionals as possible.”
The show consisted of 21 collaborative menswear and womenswear collections created by students of fashion design, knitwear design, menswear, technical design, textile design…and also included the work of students from the School of Jewelry & Metal Arts. Twelve students collaborated on a 15-look capsule collection to celebrate the 30th anniversary of BCBG Max Azria sister brand Hervé Léger, and MFA Fashion student Nina Hui was selected by BCBG to for an internship at Hervé Léger.
Prior to the show, President Stephens presented the CFDA with an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Fashion Industry and Fashion Education, with CFDA Executive Director Lisa Smilor and Senior Manager of Professional Development Sara Kozlowski accepting on behalf of the organization. Stephens also presented the CFDA with a Certificate of Honor from The City and County of San Francisco. Stephens recognized Ryan Roche with the Academy of Art University Distinguished Alumni Award for the success of her clothing line.
Student awards were also announced. Smilor presented BFA students Pitzy Villagomez Ortega and Anh Phuong Thy Do with CFDA Scholarship Awards for $10,000 and $5,000 respectively, and Roche announced she had selected Gisel Ko, BFA, for an internship. School of Fashion Executive Director Simon Ungless announced winners of the YMA-Fashion Scholarship Fund and the Paris Sister City Scholarship Exchange with Studio Berçot and L’Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris, France.
