FIT Graduate Fashion Show ran twice today, 4pm and 7pm. I saw the late show, arriving right before it started. Still got a great seat in the first row but I didn't have a run of show! Normally I wouldn't care but with a group show, I'd prefer to note the designer credits along with these pictures. I was using a borrowed Cannon PowerShot SD300 but managed to get a few decent shots, will update with credits when I get info.
The show itself was a group thing, spilt between categories: sportswear, knitwear, children's, evening and boudoir. The children's models got the largest ovation on account of they're all cute. Overall, the quality was really good. For student work, I'm looking for either a newness and willingness to experiment with new ideas; or, more importantly, to reflect a taste level and understanding of the craft. So I like the simple, pleated number shown here. It's clean and classic with hand techniques, but updated and chic. Something like peacock feathers on a long train is less wearable and almost brought one of the models down. Not that the feathers aren't beautiful, but they should be used as an inspiration or departure point rather that glued onto a silly train. It's a typical student mistake and a show like this will have it's share of misses. But it's also part of the fun and willingness to riff on the classics, as with a clever fold to create a back-vented garment, or reconstructing a warm sweater with scarf-like details, both shown above. The white, full length dress, above, is typical of solid, student fashion, showcasing a handmade technique and aspiring for spectacular without trying to re-invent the form. That designer hints at the restraint of taste. Other takes like a multi-ruffled dress, not shown here, went too far. So I say the designer of that ruffled piece could have great skill and technique, but without better editing is doomed to overindulgence.
