Scene: Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Senior Fashion Show at Lubin House, the University’s New York City home. The Fashion Design Program of the School of Design presented the designs of 19 graduating seniors. These students explored different avenues for their collections, inspired by nature, different countries, cultures, certain eras, artists, art periods, and sustainability.
The recent event featured senior collections under the leadership of Todd Conover, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator Fashion Design, and Jeffrey Mayer, Professor, Fashion Design and Stylist for this event. Model above is showcasing a garment from the collection of Senior Fashion Designer Nicola Carlacci.
Scene: From Nicola Carlacci’s collection. “Read My Lips is for the romantic and brave. My collection is fantastical, fun, and in your face. This group is for the life of the party girl; a girl who walks into a room and is instantly noticed. I was inspired by the pressure put on women to define the word “femininety”… For me, femininity is about being empowered…”
Scene: From the collection of Nicola Carlacci.
Scene: From the collection of Nicola Carlacci.
Scene: From Alexandra Kravitz’s collection. “Déesse Naturelle is for a woman who is confident, sophisticated, and adaptable. The simple silhouettes allow for the surface painting and beading to highlight both the antique Art Nouveau inspiration as well as the woman herself. The fluidity of this collection supports the natural silhouettes of the body…”
Scene: From the collection of Alexandra Kravitz.
Scene: From the collection of Alexandra Kravitz
Scene: From Amaya Hunt’s collection. “Blooming with confidence, she is a woman who owns her sexuality. Showcasing her body through clothing, she rebukes societal norms and makes her own rules. Her body is her temple and her clothing is her adornment… Taking inspiration from the Lotus flower, which blooms from murky waters despite it’s surroundings…”
Scene: From the collection of Amaya Hunt.
Scene: From the collection of Amaya Hunt.
Scene: From Alana Stanski’s collection. “Kaleidoscope Combustion is a collaboration of the 1960’s and rock era which combines eclectic fabrics that convey a unique blend of both genres. Denim leather, floral, silk, and suede creatively blended together bring this era to life.”
Scene: From the collection of Alana Stanski.
Scene: From the collection of Alana Stanski.
Scene: From Michelle Stark’s collection. “Going With It reflects my belief that the universe has a plan for all of us. This main concept explores the way that even though life sometimes seems chaotic, it all works out in a beautiful way. I am representing my chaotic concept through the riot of texture, fabrics and loose silhouettes throughout the collection…”
Scene: From the collection of Michelle Stark.
Scene: From the collection of Michelle Stark.
Scene: From Annie Carson’s collection. “High Noon Ski is an upscale collection of tailored garments reminiscent of the picturesque, wistful and energetic lifestyle of the French Alps. The embellished designs are achieved through bold color, adapted imagery, beading, and mola and trapunto quilting techniques. The shapes, volume, and texture keep the woman warm and sleek après-ski…”
Scene: From the collection of Annie Carson.
Scene: From the collection of Annie Carson.
Scene: From Sierra Benedetto Brouillet’s collection. “Blurred is a Fall/Winter collection inspired by the desire to blur the lines of social standards in relation to fashion and gender-relative clothing. This modernized streetwear collection features neutral shapes, contrasting textural elements, and a monochromatic palette to appeal to the modern minded…”
Scene: From the collection of Sierra Benedetto Brouillet.
Scene: From the collection of Sierra Benedetto Brouillet.
Scene: From Kerry Phelan’s collection. “Scout showcases the strength and beauty of women pulling inspiration from nature’s powerful and impressive desert landscape. Color, shape, and texture are drawn from the rock formations in the American southwest… The symbolism for the collection is pulled from wildlife, specifically the hawk, which represents power, vision, and freedom.”
Scene: From the collection of Kerry Phelan.
Scene: From the collection of Kerry Phelan.
Scene: At the show, Tracy Tajbl, Assistant Dean for Advancement; Lauren Cramer, a University Trustee and Chair of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Advisory Council; Dr. Michael Tick, Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, and his wife Cathy Tick.
Scene: At the show, Jeffrey Mayers, Professor, Fashion Design and Stylist for the event; Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon; Emil de John, Guest Juror, Lecturer, and Collaborator with the Fashion Department; Todd Conover, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator Fashion Design.
Scene: From Felica Underwood’s collection. “Thrifted Luxury pays homage to home sewing, or task done out of necessity, sewing in fact opens a world of possibilities, and has historically made fashion accessible to the masses. With a sustainable stance, various textiles… These elements have been elevated by techniques such as hand embroidery while still maintaining the unique character of the material…”
Scene: From the collection of Felica Underwood.
Scene: From Olivia Monopoli’s collection. “Amphitrite, Goddess of the Sea, lives deep within the oceans and is beautiful. With the growing pearls upon the ocean, she is sent to the surface of the water to protect her kingdom. Amphitrite is a collection based on where ocean meets land. The sparkling turquoise waters, golden sand beaches, textured waves, and turbulent ocean storms are all inspiration…”
Scene: From the collection of Olivia Monopoli.
Scene: From the collection of Olivia Monopoli.
Scene: From Monica Zuckerman’s collection. “ISA is a state of serenity. With sky high mountains, cotton candy skies, mile long deserts, luscious vegetation, and blue and pink oceans. A harmony between what the future will be and what I dream for the future to be. ISA is a Utopia of what the future most likely will not become. Combining futuristic elements with fluidity and organic shapes…”
Scene: From the collection of Monica Zuckerman.
Scene: From the collection of Monica Zuckerman.
Scene: From Hailey Lee’s collection. “Origin is a Fall/Winter collection inspired by Hanbok, traditional Korean dress, with a twist of western influence. The collection shows the beauty of my home, South Korea, and modern alternative evening wear in western culture. The details consist of hand-dyed fabric, embroidery, fabric manipulation, and laser cutting technology…”
Scene: From the collection of Hailey Lee.
Scene: From the collection of Hailey Lee.
Scene: From Tszching Cheng’s collection. “Brush Strokes. The strokes from traditional Chinese ink painting brush gives me the inspiration for my collection. When combined with natural colors, these strokes and prints create a cohesive overall impression. I utilized printed fabrics which have the feeling of a moving brush which moves quickly and slowly, lightly and heavily…”
Scene: From the collection of Tszching Cheng.
Scene: From the collection of Tszching Cheng.
Scene: From Alexandra Wojnowski’s collection. “Lavable mixes delicacy and precision with organic uncontrollability to form a modern collection of versatile garments. In a world where invention and fortune can make anything possible, it is important to re-examine the basics. Obsidian, an archaic and naturally occurring stone is a juxtaposition to modern day technology advances. Syracuse University is home to the only furnace that can reheat obsidian into flowing lava. Paying homage to the simple things…”
Scene: From the collection of Alexandra Wojnowski.
Scene: From Victoria Kou’s collection. “Kimono is a traditional Japanese garment. When traveling in Kyoto, Japan, I was fascinated by Japanese culture and traditional garments. In my collection, I adopted key elements of the Kimono into my designs, specifically the one-piece garment, obi, and multiple layers. All of my looks are constructed by a one-piece combined garment…”
Scene: From the collection of Victoria Kou.
Scene: From Naomi Galel’s collection. “On the Dance Floor of Modernity is inspired by the Impressionist, Edgar Degas, more specifically, his paintings of ballerinas. I looked towards his technique as well as the actual subjects in the paintings. After spending time analyzing… embracing the elegance and softness of the ballerinas…”
Scene: From the collection of Naomi Galel.
Scene: From the collection of Naomi Galel.
Scene: From Amy Le’s collection. “Nostalgia is based on the concept of vintage photography capturing the layers of transparencies, muted colors, links and interconnections that serve as memories for us. Like a jigsaw puzzle, each photo is a moment of life. Conceptualized by fabric transparencies, muted-color fabrics, and design details such as waves and pleats…”
Scene: From the collection of Amy Le.
Scene: From the collection of Amy Le.
Scene: From Hannah Feinstein’s collection. “Spindrift (noun). Spray blown from the crests of waves by the wind. A light sea breeze brings my collection ashore. Inspired by bright glistening pearls and organic green seaweed, my fabrics are natural hand-dyed fibers such as shimmery silks and crisp cottons… my collection captures the contrasting flows and structure of the ocean.”
Scene: From the collection of Hannah Feinstein.
Scene: From the collection of Hannah Feinstein.
Scene: From Mikayla Schlossman’s collection. “The Nouve-Groove is an effortless and sensual Pre-Fall 2020 collection, heavily inspired by the feelings brought about by the 1970’s Disco Scene. This collection is electrifying with fluid garments juxtaposed with pieces that evoke sexual desire. The idea behind the Nouve-Groove originally began after watching the film Boogie Nights… and the euphoric feelings that were so evident at this time…”
Scene: From the collection of Mikayla Schlossman.
Scene: From the collection of Mikayla Schlossman.
Scene: Post runway, from the collection of Mikayla Schlossman. Far left, Barbara Berman, Professional Dresser, owner of BB Backstage, and FIT instructor in conversation behind model, and Stephen Lockett, right.
Scene: Post runway, Kirsten Schoonmaker, Assistant Teaching Professor; Jeffrey Mayers, Professor, Fashion Design and Stylist for the event; Adriana Gorea, Assistant Professor; and Todd Conover, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator Fashion Design, behind the scene.
Scene: Annie Carson, Senior Fashion Designer, who won both the Iris Apfel award and the Moschino award. In this photo Annie is about to give the bouquet to Adriana Gorea, Assistant Professor, who is leaving.
Scene: Amy Le, Senior Fashion Designer, who won the Badgley Mischka award; Emil de John, Guest Juror, Lecturer, and Collaborator with the Fashion Department; and Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon.
Scene: Sierra Bennedetto Brouillet, Senior Fashion Designer, who won the Jeremy Scott award. Left is Emil de John, Guest Juror, Lecturer, and Collaborator with the Fashion Department, and to her right Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon.
Scene: At the show, Dr. Michael Tick, Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, and his wife Cathy Tick.
Scene: At the show, Dr. James Fathers, Director of School of Design, and his wife Kath Fathers.
Scene: From the collection of Nicola Carlacci. “… Life is to short, why take things too seriously? I’m just here to blow kisses.”