Go backstage with photographer Aldo Carrera at the Academy of Art University’s Spring 2015 New York Runway Show.

All images courtesy of Aldo Carrera. To see more of Aldo Carrera’s work check out his website.

Academy of Art University

Open Studio is quickly approaching! You’re invited and event admission is free!

Academy of Art University  invites you to a day of exploration, learning, and a look at what your future could hold. Come alone or bring some friends as you tour state-of-the-art campus facilities and residence halls, and as you meet industry experienced Academy alumni & have the option to get feedback on your work.

When:

Saturday, October 11, 2014
9AM – 5PM (Ongoing)

Where:

Academy of Art University

79 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105 

Learn more about admissions, financial aid, student life, career opportunities, military benefits & transition, flexible online classes, Pre-College Art Experience classes for high school students, and so much more!

Complete your application & registration for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2015 and discover your own talent and interest in one of 26 areas of study!

 Let the possibilities inspire your imagination …

RSVP Today at www.academyart.edu/events or Call 800.544.2787

Jenny Hoang, BFA Fashion Design, with her garment in the top right

Jenny Hoang, BFA Fashion Design, was featured in a spread for Neiman Marcus’ “The Book”, The October Issue.

“I have great interest in machinery, gears, rusted metal-something fierce and unexpected.” – Jenny Hoang

will.i.am

Will.i.am, founder of i.am , is inviting the Academy of Art University staff and students to be his guests for the unveiling of his new wearable smartband. Wednesday, October 15th from 5-6, will.i.am will take center stage at salesforce.com’s Dreamforce 2014 to present his wearable technology. Will.i.am, famed musician and entrepreneur will talk about combining fashion and technology Will.i.am in his keynote speech at Dreamforce 2014.

Wrist Power will take place at Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street on Wednesday October 15th from 5-6..The event is free for students and faculty but registration is required through salesforce.com. Doors open at 4 p.m and seating is a first-come, first served basis and capacity is limited. Photo ID is required to pick up badges.

By Tess Collins

Oom Terdpravat

Oom Terdpravat, who will graduate this Fall with an MFA in Fashion Design, was recently nominated for the title of Super Intern at BCBG. She received the nod for her outstanding work at BCBG, where she is working in the textile design/color/trim department. Oom earned the respect of her colleagues by having a positive attitude and always taking initiative. Her nominator and supervisor, Yeng Thao, describes her as a person who is always willing to help and goes above and beyond to help other team members. Her proactive approach to projects and her ability to communicate about her progress has made her a valuable asset to the BCBG team and a worthy recipient of the title of “Super Intern”.

Oom answers a few questions about what it is like interning at BCBG, her future, how her internship has impacted her and what she loves most about it.

What projects/tasks are you currently working on?

It really depends, one day it can be Mainline, the next Herve Leger or Runway. I help the team oversee deliveries and organize the textile library. It is a balance between organizing work and creative work. I really like it.

What do you love most about your internship?

The creative work, right now I am helping my supervisor with the sequined embroidery for the runway show. It changes every week and I help with all the developments.

What do you hope to gain from this internship?

I hope to grow personally and in my future career. Also, the experience is something that I cannot get in school, it’s real industry experience.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received or lesson that you’ve learned at BCBG?

Besides getting daily tasks and projects done, I’ve learned how to deal with people and solve problems. BCBG is a very fast-paced work environment. It is important for me to handle the pressure and solve problems efficiently.

What career aspirations do you hold for your future?

Textile design or apparel prints for fashion. I would like to do swimwear.

What motivates/inspires you?

When I succeed with a job and get really good feedback from my supervisor. That keeps me motivated and I think that defines success.

What BCBG piece are you dying to own right now?

The Amber Cascade strapless dress, it’s so pretty!

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself on your first day of interning?

Expected the unexpected. I was given a ‘testing” task to recreate a layout of the BCBG’s no. 1 selling floral print. The layout was approved to be developed further since they really liked it. Unexpected task might be given at anytime to see if an intern can handle the work and show good initiative.

What does it take to be a Super Intern? What advice can you give to fellow interns?

Work hard; keep yourself busy, there’s always something to do. There are so many people in the department that need help, you just have to go and ask them what you can do to help them with. I keep myself occupied. My advice is to take this internship opportunity to the fullest and learn from your peers and supervisors. Communication is key.

By Tess Collins

Tiila Abbitt, 2007 MFA Fashion Design and Knitwear Design.

Tiila Abbitt, 2007 MFA double major in Fashion Design and knitwear design, is turning the fantasy of little girls everywhere into reality. She gets to play with makeup all day- for her job! More specifically, this Academy of Art University Alum is currently the Director of Product Development at Sephora. Tiila talks with Fashion School Daily about trolling on Instagram, drawing inspiration, the fact that she sometimes forgets what year it is and the piece of advice that led her to working at Sephora, her favorite job yet.

Fashion School Daily: Could you tell us a bit about your current job and company?

Tiila Abbitt: I currently work at Sephora as the Director of Product Development. I work on their private label brand, Sephora Collection. I am responsible for designing and developing the accessories business: makeup brushes, brush sets, cosmetic bags, eyelash curlers, hair tools, false lashes, sharpeners- all the tools of the trade that you need for flawless application. It’s my job to take these seemingly day-to-day beauty products and give them all an innovative twist or unique design. I also work on special collaborations including Pantone’s Color of the Year collections, where I also develop makeup formulations as well as the new Alexis Bittar collaboration, which is coming out to stores in November.

 FSD: What is an average day like for you at work?

TA: Product development keeps me on my toes. There is always something to do and always something to create. Every day you have to think about what the next big thing will be in beauty. An average day for me right now has me working on finalizing Spring 2015 products, in the middle of Summer 2015 products and starting to work on Fall 2015. Plus I am already thinking of what we should be doing for Holiday 2015 and into 2016! Sometimes I forget the year it is since I am working in future development. I have to say, I am truly never bored.

 FSD: What do you love about your job?

TA: I love working for Sephora. It truly appreciates the creatives. I work for the largest brand for the company, but it still has the start-up atmosphere. There isn’t a lot of red tape which definitely lets our team think big. We explore as many ideas and opportunities that we think is right for the brand.

 FSD: Where have you found inspiration lately?

TA: Inspiration comes from everywhere. I travel a lot. I like to explore other places and other cultures for inspiration. I work with Beauty Forecasters, whose job it is to forecast future micro and macro trends in beauty, but that’s just one part of it.  I’m always trolling Instagram. I read a million beauty blogs. I study fashion runway trends, attend art exhibits, take photographs … to try and see things in a different light. I look at a lot of beauty makeup products and innovations and think about how I can make a brush or accessory to go along with it. You know, leopard is coming back as a trend, and we’re launching a leopard printed eyeliner curler! Who doesn’t want to carry that in their makeup case? I recently went on a trip to Asia where I went to Japan, Korea and Vietnam for a trade show and to visit with vendors. It was a truly inspirational trip! There is so much innovation coming out of Asia that we decided we must go to the source.

 FSD: What advice would you give to students?

TA: To be open and let fate take a hand. Meet lots of people and try different things to see what you actually enjoy doing. I never thought I would ever work in beauty. I barely wore foundation before I started working at Sephora. The best piece of advice my mentor told me before I took the job was you never know if you are good at it, unless you try it. What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t like it? Then quit. But you will never know unless you try. It was the best piece of advice I ever got and it led me to my favorite job.

Attention all students! Join us Thursday October 23 for some Halloween fun! 

There will be pumpkins to decorate, great prizes, yummy snacks and beverages and Hocus Pocus will be playing (our favorite)!!

See you then and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

HOCUS POCUS, Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, 1993

On Wednesday, September 24th, a 2013 Academy of Art University Graduate with a BFA in Fashion Merchandising, Chelsea Looby and College Recruiter Bert Stewart came and talked to a group of merchandising students at the Academy of Art University about internship opportunities available to them through their company, Ross- the largest off price apparel and home fashion store in the United States. Chelsea, a former student, was able to give first hand knowledge of just how beneficial taking advantage of this opportunity can be.

Chelsea Looby graduated just last year from The Academy of Art University and is already an Assistant Buyer for the Juniors and Impulse handbag divisions for Ross. Not only does she have a great title but she also loves the company that she works for. She led a talk with current merchandising students about what it is like to be a buyer and the skills needed for the job. Her and Bert, the College Recruiter, were extremely engaging and happily answered questions from students throughout the entire discussion. Chelsea brought in merchandise from Ross that did or did not do well in her department and she explained why. She spoke about the Ross customer and how it’s important to keep their preferences in mind and even though it may not something she would want to buy, a buyer learns very quickly they need to appeal to their customer rather than themselves.

“I do not like that bag, but the Ross girl will love it!” Chelsea told the class as she held up an Impulse handbag to the class, which ended up being a great seller for the store. This is how a real buyer decides what to put in the store and what to hold off on. Chelsea told students personal style needs to be put on the back burner when performing her duties as a buyer. She showed a cross body bag in cobalt blue that was supposed to be the hot color of the season, but the bag just wasn’t selling. After a price adjustment, it did much better. The lesson that she took from that was it wasn’t a bad buy, it was just that the Ross customer is willing to spend more on neutrals and less on trendier colors. Price adjusting and knowing what the customer wants and at what price is a skill that Chelsea has quickly learned through experience. It’s all about learning from your mistakes and “being a student of your business”; which seems to be the motto for Ross’ buying department.

Already successful in her career, Chelsea’s words of advice were for students to network as much as possible because sometimes it really is about who you know. She also highly encourages internships. She made an excellent point about how while you are interviewing for a position during an internship, it’s also a good way for you to interview companies to see what you like and what you don’t. For specific advice on becoming a buyer, she said take a position where you can get real life experience in the buying department- even if it’s not a product you like. She worked for an outdoor company and at first she wasn’t all that happy about it because it wasn’t what she liked but she said the experience was worth it and helped get her to where she is today.

Chelsea, newly graduated and new to the company, was very open about how supported she felt by the Ross team. She talked about how the company encourages them to stand up for what they believe in. Having a strong voice is a valued attribute at Ross, and so is being self critical. In order to succeed at Ross, you need analytical ability and willingness to speak up.

If these traits describe you or you are interested in learning more about the company and internships that are available, check them out! The Buying/Planning Internship is a paid opportunity over the summer that is available for students graduating between December 2015-August 2015. The internships are available in LA and New York City- they even assist with finding housing! The Ross internships are extremely beneficial; through this internship real life experience will be gained with an opportunity for a full time job offer once the internship is completed. Out of the 125 interns last year, 82 received full time offers. Ross is extremely receptive to interns and young talent. When asked about the average time it takes to move up in the company, both Chelsea and Ben agreed that the average path from assistant buyer to buyer is generally 4-8 years. With a Ross internship, you could hold the title of buyer by 30!

“I graduated in May of 2013 and I started working full-time at Ross as an Assistant Buyer a month later in June. I had interned for Ross in the summer of 2012 and was offered a position upon completion of the internship. I knew my entire senior year at AAU that I had a job waiting for me after graduating, which really let me enjoy my final year without the stress and pressure of worrying about what happens after school.” -Chelsea Looby, 2013 BFA Fashion Merchandising. 

If this seems like something you would at all be interested in, the time to strike is now! They are accepting applications now and will continue to accept them until all the slots are full. The first step is to apply, for more information visit here.

If you begin the application process now, the decision is usually made around the holidays, and what a great way to celebrate! You won’t have to stress the rest of the year about what you’re going to do for a summer job. The internship begins June 8th, 2015. If becoming a buyer is something you are interested in or think you might be- this opportunity is not to be missed!

By Tess Collins

Sophia Amoruso

On Thursday, October 9th, Sophia Amoruso, founder and CEO of Nasty Gal, returned to where it all began. She was just a couple of blocks away from 180 New Montgomery Street, where she used to check IDs at the front door of the Academy of Art University. She took center stage at the Vanity Fair Summit to discuss her success and how it all got started.

Amoruso was one of many featured speakers at Vanity Fair’s New Establishment Summit that was held at Yerba Buena Center For The Arts on October 8th and 9th. The Summit celebrated new ideas, innovations and up and coming talent in pop culture, politics, technology, media and business. Amoruso joined AirBnb founder Brian Chesky and Pinterest CEO Ben Silbermann to discuss their unique ideas and how they became successful at such a young ages.

Sophia Amoruso, who is only 30 years old, has come a long way in just a few years. At 22, she was hosting at Academy of Art University and had never held a job for more than a couple of months. Now she manages over 300 employees, has been named to Forbes’ “30 under 30″ list, and is the CEO of a company that nets over $100 million annually. She has a book “#GirlBoss” and people are stopping to listen to what she has to say. She has created an empire and she did it all by following her own rules and doing what she loved to do.

From left, Brian Chesky of AirBnB, Sophia Amoruso of Nasty Gal, Ben Silbermann of Pinterest and moderator Emily Chang.

All three speakers, Ben Silbermann, Brian Chesky and Sophia Amoruso, had in common that they never set out to make millions or thought that their ideas would take off like they have. Sophia began her company while she had downtime at the Academy of Art and noticed a demand for her vintage clothing online. She began snapping pictures and selling clothes and accessories on eBay and built up a loyal customer base. She then ventured off of eBay so her customers could come directly to her. She worked out of her garage and paid attention to what her customers wanted. These are the humble beginnings of one of today’s most powerful forces in fashion and business.

In eight years, Sophia has moved from the garage to the boardroom and has stayed true to her customers and to herself. Her brand has stayed the same throughout this entire journey and that’s because Sophia is still the same hands-on girl that she was when she was Nasty Gal’s only employee. She listens to the customer, what they like and what they don’t like. When talking about her success, Amoruso, who could take all the credit in the world, gives much of it back to the customer. “Social and word of mouth built Nasty Gal—and I’m really proud of that,” Amoruso said. The other two successful moguls onstage with her agreed, they are both extremely successful, driven people but they could not be where they are today without the social media and technology that has allowed their businesses to grow to their high levels. Business today is so different than where it was even five years ago, there are so many more opportunities than their once were which was a common theme around all of the conversations at the Vanity Fair Summit. Sophia Amoruso didn’t take the obvious road to success, she never got her degree, she never worked for a large company and she never set out to be super successful, but here she is. There are always alternate roads to success, people just have to find the path that works best for them.

Sophia Amoruso

Amoruso’s company has a cult following and has cast her in the part of a powerful female businesswoman. Even though she has a book #GirlBoss, She never set out to become an icon. During the discussion she spoke about constantly getting the question of “what is it like being a successful female?” and if she has any advice to women looking to make it in the business world, “Sometimes women say, ‘What you’re doing is really great for women.’ I didn’t set out to do that,” Amoruso says. “I didn’t set out to be this outlier. It’s a sad fact that I am.”

Sophia Amoruso is a perfect role model for young talent looking to make it big in the world of fashion for both men and women. She took something that she was passionate about and she worked for it. She used available resources, such as social media and word of mouth to spread the word of her company. She didn’t settle for something just because it was “the right way to do things,” she made up her own rules and it paid off. No matter how far off success might seem, just think of Sophia Amoruso. You could just be one idea away from becoming more than you ever dreamed.

By Tess Collins

It seems like just yesterday that our very own designers sent their Fall looks down the runway at the Fall 2014 MBFW fashion show. Now that Fall is upon us it’s time to build looks for your everyday wardrobe, and what better place to seek inspiration than the runway looks from our designers? 

Scroll down for our take on how to translate this season’s runway trends into everyday looks for a chic Fall fashionista!

Runway designs by Jasmine Gonzalez, MFA Fashion and Knitwear Design

Runway designs by Jasmine Gonzalez, MFA Fashion and Knitwear Design.

From left to right: Alexander Wang Sweater, Burberry Prorsum Coat, COS Sweater, MSMG Pants, Saint Laurent Bag, Topshop Skirt, Opening Ceremony Heel.

Collection by Mingyu Du, MFA Fashion Design, in collaboration with Joseph Khawane, MFA Textile Design,

Runway designs by Mingyu Du, MFA Fashion Design, collaborated with Joseph Khawane, MFA Textile Design

From left to right: Equipment Top, Isabel Marant Sweater, MArnin Coat, Rag & Bone Boot, Stella McCartney Coat, Valentino Bag, Zara Pants

Stay tuned over the coming weeks for more trend boards to inspire your Fall wardrobe!

Trend boards created by Brittany Caldwell

will.i.am wearing his new wearable technology, I.amPULS.

will.i.am, the Hip-Hop artist perhaps most well-known for being a member of the successful group the Black Eyed Peas, has found himself a new band. This time around his band isn’t booking Superbowl halftime shows or launching successful solo careers, but it does have the power to change how fashion and technology intertwine. His newest band- in the literal sense- is a piece of wearable technology called I.amPULS. Worn on your wrist like a cuff, the I.amPULS can receive and dial calls by operating independently of any smartphones. The launch of this new innovation took place right here in San Francisco at Dreamforce 2014.

DreamForce is four days of fun featuring sessions designed for people with various careers including those in sales, development, media, non-profits, retail, government and much more. There was something for everyone this year, including appearances by Hilary Clinton and Mark Benioff with a Bruno Mars Concert that took over Civic Center. Dreamforce ran from October 13th through the 16th, with will.i.am giving the keynote speech on October 15th.

Moscone Center right before will.i.am keynote speech.

The Moscone Center played host to many of the Dreamforce events this year, including will.i.am’s speech and launch. The escalators carried a constant stream of people going up and down attending various events and seating for his event was filled to capacity. It seemed like everyone was there to see this exciting new gadget. The circular stage was set up in the center of the room with the audience seated all around it with large screens aimed in every direction so every person in attendance was able to see. The speech began with a surprise appearance by Yoshiki, one of the most famous musicians in all of Japan. The accomplished pianist, who is gaining a following stateside, got the crowd amped up for the main event. Dreamforce CEO, Marc Benioff, then introduced will.i.am and the presentation began.

will.i.am’s unveiling of his new innovation celebrated collaboration, with the musician bringing up many of the people that have helped him launch his pet project. He talked about his journey, and how his life began in a neighborhood that was known mostly for gangs and drugs. Will recalls his favorite book as a child, “The Little Engine That Could,” and used that as his mantra to keep him on the path towards success. With an established music career already under his belt, will.i.am wanted to give back to the community and he has done so by using his love of technology. He had the idea, all he needed was the support. Although it was a struggle for him to be taken seriously in the world of technology, he never gave up and found a believer in Salesforce.com CEO Mark Benioff. After he found that, there was no stopping him.

will.i.am holding up the different color selections of the I.amPULS.

“i.amPULS represents digital freedom, individuality, intelligence and the intersection where fashion and technical innovation meet,” said will.i.am.  “I’m honored to share my vision for the PULS with this global audience.”

will.i.am unveils the i.amPULS during the keynote speech on Wednesday, October 15th, 2014.

Throughout the presentation, he brought up all of his partners, showed videos, had a runway show and a fitness demonstration to show all of the capabilities of the band. The band, which Will wants to make clear “Is not a watch,” looks like a cuff that has a screen in the center of it. Along with placing and receiving calls, the I.amPULS can play music, track your workout reps, text, serve as a calculator, address book, camera and is also voice controlled by Will’s version of Siri which is named “Aneeda,” as in “I need to… make a phone call, look up directions, etc.” The I.amPuls has all the components of a smartphone, but conveniently and fashionably located on your wrist.

The I.amPULS, in white.

What does will.i.am have to say to those that says “It’s too big… I’ll never wear it”? He compared it to an Hermes Cuff, which is the same size as his design, and put those comments to rest. The I.amPULS also comes in a variety of colors including pink, blue, white, black and red. For those who need a little more bling, there’s a gold version and a diamond encrusted one. Fashion and technology have not always gone hand in hand, but the I.amPULS has caught the eye of some very notable figures in the fashion world.

Andre Leon Talley, former editor at large for Vogue, took the stage with will.i.am and called the musician and philanthropist a “Custodian of Fashion.” Talley told the audience that with people like will.i.am, there is a chance that fashion sensibility can have a place in wearable technology. He cleverly deemed the I.amPULS as an example of “fashionology,” and praised the clean and elegant lines of the design. What followed was a fashion show that fused fashion and function. The show had men and women wearing stylish hoodies and backpacks that serve a purpose for the pulse. The jacket can actually provide two days of power for the I.amPULS by connecting the sleeves with the cuff. The backpack, which looks straight off the runway, actually holds speakers which makes it even more desirable. The fashion show is an idea for a new line that Will would call “Pow-Wear,” in which cutting edge fashion and technological needs intersect.

Andre Leon Talley, left, takes center stage with will.i.am.

The unveiling of I.amPULS was inspiring and engaging. The seven time Grammy Award Winner even brought up a girl from his childhood neighborhood who created an app for the device. She took the stage and talked about will.i.am helping her to see her potential and how he has been their neighborhoods version of superman by encouraging them by his example and providing them with options for a safer and more successful lifestyle.  At the end of the speech, he brought up all the people on his team and made personal statements about each of them and how they have all helped make his dream into a reality.

will.i.am hugs Cynthia Erenas, AP student and part of the  i.am College Track after-school tutoring program Roosevelt High School, Los Angeles, CA during his speech.

The term “geek chic” has never been more appropriately used than when describing the I.amPULS. The musician,who is also a shareholder with Dr. Dre’s Beats headphones, knows what looks cool and what people need from their technology in order to feel cool. His keynote speech, which took place in a part of the country known more for technology than fashion, is sure to inspire more fashionable trends in technology.

Listening to will.i.am’s inspiring story, it’s hard not to believe that all the potential in the world is right there at your fingertips. By wearing the I.amPULS on your wrist, it actually can be.

By Tess Collins

Issue Seven of 180 Magazine is here! You can pick up a copy at Polk, or browse through the entire magazine online, or take it to go via the new 180 Magazine free iPad app.

Let us know your favorite stories and editorials in the comments below!

A view of some of the trend forward Fall pieces from the Michael Kors line at Macy’s.

On the evening of Thursday, October 23, Aimee Song of notorious blog “Song of Style” hosted the MKxMacy’s event at the Macy’s Union Square flagship store. This event in San Francisco is one of many similar events happening at Macy’s locations all over the US to celebrate the new Fall collection from famed designer Michael Kors. The new collection includes not only apparel and shoes, but also accessories and fragrances as well. The Michael Kors team has teamed up with multiple big- name fashion bloggers like Song to draw fashion savvy crowds to the kickoff events.

Some of team Michael Kors chatting with Aimee Song following the event.

As a former resident of the Bay Area, Song returned home to a large and eager group of “Song of Style” followers, who stood in a lengthy line patiently waiting to get their moment to chat style, fashion blogging and even snap a selfie with the style maven.

New accessory and fragrance merchandise from the new Fall Michael Kors line.

Local models donned pieces from the new Michael Kors line; looks included classic and trend-forward pieces like the neutral colored trench coat, traditional plaid and check pieces, and a touch of luxe with Mongolian faux fur vests and animal print pencil dresses.

New accessory and fragrance merchandise from the new Fall Michael Kors line.

There may be murmurs that the golden era of fashion blogging is over, yet with many large-scale brands still tapping style bloggers to act as brand ambassadors it’s clear that bloggers still have plenty of pull. With over a million followers on Instagram, it was no wonder that Michael Kors chose Song to represent the luxury and popularity on all scales that the brand represents.

Written by Alexa Palacios

Carolina Herrera

 “I have always loved the city,” Herrera says in an official statement. “I always meet warm and stylish people in San Francisco who share the same energy and excitement about fashion and design that I do.”

Legendary designer Carolina Herrera opened a boutique in Union Square this year and is keeping her love of San Francisco alive by showcasing her collection at the De Young Museum on November 3rd at 12:00 pm. The Fashion Show is part of the event “The Art of Fashion: Runway Show and Luncheon” which will be co-hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The event will benefit the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. For more information on the event visit here.  Tickets range between $500-$1,000.

By Tess Collins

As part of our continuing series  to inspire your fall wardrobe, here are two trend boards that illustrate how to transform runway looks into everyday outfits to keep your Fall wardrobe chic and on-trend. Today’s runway inspiration is courtesy of the designs showcased at the Academy’s Fall 2014 MBFW runway show.

Runway designs by Elizabeth Castellon, MFA Fashion Design

Runway Designs by Elizabeth Castellon, MFA Fashion Design

From left to right: Baja East Leather Trouser, Valentino Sweater, DSQUARED Boot, Haider Ackerman Coat and Pants, Moncler Gamme Rouge Jacket, Paul Smith Scarf

Runway collection by Flora Cervantes, MFA Fashion Design, in collaboration with Lori Solem, MFA Fashion and Textile Design

Runway Designs by Lori Solem, MFA Fashion and Textile Design, and Flora Cervantes, MFA Fashion Design
From left to right: Alexander McQueen Dress and Clutch, Carven Pullover , Isabel Marant Dress, Miista Boot, Moschino Skirt, MSMG Pants, Nina Ricci Coat,

Trend boards created by Brittany Caldwell

Opening Reception (open to the public)

Friday, November 7, 2014 from 6-10pm

Freeman Space, 155 Freeman Street, Brooklyn, New York

Rose embroidery by Heather Marie Scholl

“Sometimes It’s Hard to be a Woman” is a fashion installation project by Heather Marie Scholl, MFA Fashion Design Alumna who showed her collection at the Academy of Art University Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week showing in February 2013.

Taking influence from Tammy Wynette’s song “Stand by your Man,” Scholl addresses issues of domestic violence. The installation is centered around two figures with garments that are heavily hand embroidered.  Through the creation of the environment the work is disquieting yet romantic and tells of the more subtle ways abusive relationships can eat away at you. There is a corrosive element within the installation that will slowly bleach out a piece of fabric.

The installation bridges Scholl’s personal narrative with larger conversations about the body, women, feminism, identity, and sexuality. “This project is emotional and personal yet universal,” said Scholl.

Scholl is a storyteller, a designer, an artist, and a crafts person who plays with the loudness of pop art and the quiet thoughtfulness of traditional hand work. Her work can be sickly sweet at times, feminine and yet oddly playful with gender. A born feminist you’ll find her clever analysis in just about everything she does.

This project is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

Website: http://www.heathermariescholl.com/

Tumblr: http://hmsthenotebook.tumblr.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/heathermariescholl

Rose embroidery by Heather Marie Scholl

When thinking about what goes into a fashion show for New York Fashion Week, one might believe it all centers around one designer-his or her specific ideas and the story that culminates in the collection. However, the reality behind the fashion industry lies in the collective spirit build among a team of designers working in a collective process.

Captivated by the chemistry of the Fall 2014 designers, Ungless turned to fashion photographer Isabella Bejarano to document the collection creation process. “Isabella’s point of view,use of lighting, love for the fashion industry understanding of beauty are all reasons why her photographs so beautifully tell the story of these designers,” said Ungless. “She captures the vibe of the collections and character of the designers, models and clothes, and creates a stunning visual narrative of the creative process.”

To read the full story from 180 magazine and see all of the photos, download the free iPad app here.

Story by Chole Preussker

Photography by Isabella Bejarano

With the annual San Francisco Green Festival at Fort Mason just around the corner (Nov. 14-16, details at the bottom of this post), we started thinking about the intersection of sustainability and fashion.

Academy of Art University is no stranger to the green movement. For years our students and faculty have been working with environmentally friendly materials and techniques to help make our world a better place to live in. Past and present students have found ways of re-purposing clothes to reduce their carbon footprints while making a huge fashion statement.

Most people don’t look at hospital scrubs and think red carpet attire, but Academy of Art Alumni Priscilla Guimarais, Kumiko Haruyama, Nui Tanapornwattana, Audrey Wang and Tramaine Tillman had no trouble finding the glamor behind the frumpy uniforms and created a dress worn by Ginnifer Goodwin to the 20th Anniversary Environmental Awards in LA. The dress is called the 1OAK dress, which stands for one of a kind. The dress was made from scrubs donated from Landau uniforms. Taking what would have been trash and turning it into a style treasure, this dress shows that high fashion can come from the most unlikely places.

Ginnifer Goodwin at the 20th Anniversary Environmental Awards wearing the 10AK dress.

A closer look at the 10AK dress, made from donated hospital scrubs.

As seen from the hospital scrub creation above,  Academy of Art University students are never ones to shy away from a challenge. When eco-friendly wine producer French Rabbit presented students with the challenge of creating innovative fashion from their packaging, the students proved they were more than up to the task. Here is a look at what our brilliant alumni came up with back in 2007. Below is just a small taste of what they created, for a full look at the creations and scholarship winners from the French Rabbit Environmentally Friendly Packaging Challenge, click here.

Hooded scarf by Van Kim Le

Jackie Lee-Nakayama and Sarah Alvidrez’s “bubble dress” which was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Dulce Chavez’s “Armour Dress”

Coco Eco Magazine featured Maria Korovilas and Camilla Olson, both Academy of Art University alumi, for their Holiday shoot back in November of 2010. These designers were chosen because of their creative use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly techniques in fashion. For her thesis collection, Maria Korovilas used recycled nuts and bolts for the beading on her collection. Camilla Olson used a rusting techniques for her textiles rather than using harmful dyes. These techniques caught the eye of Coco Eco Magazine, a publication that celebrates sustainable designers.

Camilla Olson, photo courtesy of Camilla Olson.

Photo of Maria Korovilas, photo courtesy of GenArt.

These designers have shown that even just slightly tweaking a technique can make a huge difference in decreasing our carbon footprint. Alumna Aura Taylor created a collection for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week using no-sew techniques such as adhesive tape, welding and vacuum press.

Photo of Aura Taylor

2012 BFA Fashion Design graduate Ki “Joe” Chung used protein synthesis as inspiration for his collection. He used organic materials and created all of the garments using minimal seams and waste cutting. He even used leftover fabrics for design detailing.

Photo of Ki “Joe” Chung.

Another Academy of Art Almuni Designer who is creating fashion waves by using sustainability is Eric Holbreich. He has The House of 950 which has a focus on sustainability. His clothes can be reversed, worn upside down and twisted to create multiple new looks from the same piece.

Eric Holbreich, in middle. Photo courtesy of Billy Farrell Agency.

As you can see,  Academy of Art University has a long standing tradition of making great looking clothes and positively impacting the environment. Why not dress sustainably when it looks this good? Follow in the Academy of Art University past and present students’ footsteps by educating yourself on going green!

On November 14th-16th San Francisco is hosting the annual Green Festival at Fort Mason from 12 pm-6 pm. For those of you out there interested in sustainability and learning more about incorporating it into your everyday life, this is the event for you! There will be booths for food, fashion, construction, design and health. These booths will have activities for kids, cooking demos and live music and entertainment. There will also be a marketplace full of organic clothing, all-natural body care products and fair trade gifts. This festival is a great resource for both avid health nuts and people who are looking to learn more about the sustainability movement. For more information on the festival, visit the site and be sure to clear your calendars for November 14th-16th.

By Tess Collins

Watch Ryan Roche on the new season of the CFDA/ Vogue FashionFund TONIGHT at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on Ovation TV

(From left to right: CFDA President, Diane von Furstenberg; Academy of Art School of Fashion Alumna and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Runner-Up, Ryan Roche; CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Runner-Up, Eva Fehren; CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner, Paul Andrew; Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour; Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Steven Kolb.)

School of Fashion Alumna, Ryan Roche, was named Runner-Up last night at the eleventh annual awards from the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF). With this high recognition, Roche will now meet with an assigned business mentor and will be given $100,000 to enable her to pursue her plans as a fashion designer.

The event, hosted by Seth Meyers with keynote speaker Stella McCartney, was the grand finale after four months of preparation for ten emerging designers, including Roche. The intense competition was captured on-screen for the television series The Fashion Fund, which gives viewers a glimpse into the fashion industry and the vision of these up and coming designers. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund selection committee is comprised of fashion icons such as Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg to top-level executives such as Ken Downing of Neiman Marcus, Andrew Rosen of Theory, Jenna Lyons of J.Crew, and more.

Kati Nescher in Ryan Roche’s design with Ryan Roche. Photo By Steve Eichner.

Ryan Roche, Paul Andrew and Eva Zuckerman. Photo By Steve Eichner.

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Ryan Roche. Photo by Steve Eichner.

Watch The Fashion Fund Season 2 extended trailer here and be sure to tune in to the series premiere tonight on Ovation TV at 7 p.m. PST.

Plus, for all your fashion junkies out there, check out the best dressed from the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund Awards here.

Tonight’s the season premiere of The Fashion Fund‘s second season on the Ovation network.

Photo by Chad Jenkins

Sam Shan’s path to the Fashion Design program at Academy of Art University is a little different than most. His is a story of courage, perseverance and a long road traveled.

Shan grew up in Won Pau Village, a small farming village in the hills of the Shan Province of Eastern Burma, now Myanmar. “When I lived there, it did not have electricity or running water. Most people of the village were farmers who took their crops to paddy,” said Shan, whose family grew traditional Asian greens similar to Bok Choy, as well as rice and cabbage.  “It was hard work and hot, but as a boy it was also fun sliding in the mud and playing in it,” he said.

When Shan was 14 years old, fighting broke out between revolutionaries and federal soldiers near his village causing him to flee over the nearby border into Thailand. During the chaos, Shan became separated from his family. “I was on my own and I didn’t know if my family had survived,” said Shan, who still finds the experience painful to talk about.

He made his way south to Malaysia and for the next five years supported himself by working as a cook in a restaurant. In 2010, he emigrated to the U.S. with a United Nations refugee agency, starting out in Salt Lake City, UT then landing in San Francisco, CA, where he truly feels at home.  “I am happy to say that, through Facebook, I have been reunited with my family,” Shan said.

Shan’s passion for fashion design sprung from watching his grandmother make shirts and dresses for the people of his village when he was just a small boy. “I used to help her sew. One fond memory that I have is sitting at her feet while she operated her peddle-powered sewing machine,” said Shan, who also learned to cut material and hand-sew and knit sweaters with her. “My dream of becoming a fashion designer grew out of seeing how my grandmother could make beautiful clothes for people and how wearing those clothes had a positive effect on the people who wore them.”

Photo by Chad Jenkins

Shan’s formal training began at San Francisco City College, where he recently completed a three-year certificate in fashion design.  “It was a great experience and I learned a lot,” he said. “I feel that it was an important preparation for continuing my studies at Academy of Art University.”

Through his contemporary women’s fashion designs, Shan tries to add creative details to make his clothes more unique and attractive.  “I like to draw inspiration from historical themes and make them more modern,” said Shan, who took the traditional Scottish kilt worn by men and turned it into a modern and feminine look for the present day woman in his most recent fall/winter collection.

“The beauty of nature is also something I draw influence from,” he said.  “My current spring/summer collection draws upon the renewal of life that we see when flowers bloom in the spring.”

Shan was awarded a scholarship by the Academy based on his senior fashion collection from City College.  “I am very grateful to AAU for giving these scholarships to City College fashion students every year,” he said.  “This wonderful and generous gift from the Academy’s President, Elisa Stephens, gives students like me a chance to realize my dream.  Without this, I would not be able to attend the Academy.”

Shan’s dream is to develop his own line of clothing. “I want to explore ways to manipulate fabric to create shapes that demonstrate natural themes, while still allowing a more flowing construction,” he said. “I like to use natural colors that we see every day and that effect how we feel. I am excited about the opportunity that the Academy

Sam Shan with his Fall 2014 collection. Photo by Nicolas Ardelean.

is giving me to further develop these creative ideas.”

Rebecca Delgado Rottman, Vice President of Community & Government Relations, said that the Academy is thrilled and is looking forward to welcoming Shan this fall. “I am certain that [his] story of overcoming adversity as a kid and rising like a phoenix will inspire both students and staff,” Rottman said. “[Shan] will thrive here and will also love it here. [He] will be in an environment that is supportive, creative and nurturing that will help you realize your potential to the fullest.”

By Alison Pierce