Marrero will select the winner of the first Siempre Mujer Best Use of Color Award, given to the student designer whose use of color most enhances the design of their garment.
"Given the multicultural and diverse student body of FIT, Siempre Mujer is proud to take part in The Future of Fashion," said Marrero. "Since color is one of the most important parts of a designer's vocabulary, and has always been a central element in Latina style and design, we believe it is important to recognize how students use color to communicate, characterize, and enhance the message and meaning of their garments in our multi-cultural marketplace."
FIT's The Future of Fashion will once again be the place for established designers, editors, and other VIPs to preview the fashion industry's most promising young designers.
Approximately 80 outstanding looks created by graduating Fashion Design students will be selected from a field of 330, including sportswear, special occasion, knitwear, intimate apparel, and children's wear designed for fall 2013. This year's show will also showcase a capsule collection by graduating Fashion Design students who spent their final year at the college's Milan campus at the Politecnico di Milano.
Judges selecting the 80 looks are Kate Betts (Time, Inc.), Alana Kelen (VH1), Lilliana Vazquez (NBC), Bryan Grey Yambao (BryanBoy.com), Colleen Sherin (Saks Fifth Avenue), and Joe Zee (Elle).
The professionally produced show is supported by Calvin Klein ; Calvin Klein , Inc; Cotton, Inc; and MAC. Nine major designers and design houses, including 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), serve as mentors to the students.
Fashion Institute of Technology