FIT graduates show 91 fashion-forward looks at annual show

This professionally produced event presented sportswear, special occasion, knitwear, intimate apparel, and children’s wear designed for fall 2013 to a packed audience of designers, industry executives, and media.

FIT’s annual fashion show is supported by a $2 million gift from alumnus Calvin Klein, and the company he founded, Calvin Klein, Inc. A VIP reception was held at Hotel Americiano after the show.

Among those viewing the designs of some of the world’s most talented young designers were designers Amsale Aberra, Dennis Basso, Yigal Azrouel, Lisa Perry, Rag & Bone’s Marcus Wainwright, Rebecca Minkoff, Maggie Norris, Flora Nikrooz, Sunghee Bang, Lars Andersson, Tom Scott, Bonnie Young, and George Simonton.

Also in attendance were Tom Murry, Fern Mallis, Jay and Patty Baker, Elizabeth Peek, Beverly Mack, Eleanora Kennedy, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimphor, Chiu-Ti Jansen, fashion blogger Bryan “Bryanboy” Grey Yambao, stylist Lilliana Vazquez, and Siempre Mujer editor-in-chief Maria Cristina Marrero.

Noted designers act as mentors and critics to the students during their final year. These designers visit classrooms to critique the students’ work and, ultimately, select the most exceptional garments for the Critics Awards.

This year’s critics were Amsale Aberra (special occasion), Maggie Norris (special occasion), Lisa Perry (sportswear), David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone (sportswear), Gary Graham (sportswear), Flora Nikrooz (intimate apparel), Tom Scott (knitwear), Lars Andersson (knitwear), and Bonnie Young (children’s wear).

The young designers also vied for cash awards from Cotton Incorporated, a longtime show sponsor.  Students who displayed the best use of cotton in their garments competed for prizes of $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place, and $2,500 for third place. Siempre Mujer magazine sponsored a new award, The Siempre Mujer Best Use of Color Award, which was given to the student whose use of color best enhanced the design of their garment.

Inclusion in The Future of Fashion runway show is selective, with garments chosen by a panel of judges that this year included Kate Betts (Time, Inc.), Alana Kelen (VH1), Lilliana Vazquez (NBC), Bryan Grey Yambao (BryanBoy.com), Colleen Sherin (Saks Fifth Avenue), and Joe Zee (Elle).

Hair for the show was designed by John Barrett of John Barrett Salon, located on the penthouse floor of New York’s Bergdorf Goodman. Cosmetics were provided by M•A•C, along with a team of makeup artists led by Lyne Desnoyers, executive director of Makeup Artistry at M•A•C.

The show was styled by Annie Georgia Greenberg, New York editor, Refinery29. Jewelry was provided by Anndra Neen, Capwell and Co., Charming Charlie, Holst and Lee, Lulu Frost, Max & Chloe, and Swarovski. Shoes were loaned by Aldo, Aperlai, Cole Haan, Kurt Geiger, John-Michel Cazabat, Louise et Cie, Rebecca Minkoff, Tibi, United Nude, and Vince Camuto. Hosiery was contributed by DKNY.