The always-hotly-anticipated Academy of Art University Graduation Fashion Show drew a packed house of fashion notables, media, alums and local fashion industry players to the school’s SoMa tent last Thursday evening for a showing of work from 22 graduating students that mixed unexpected materials and with striking prints and experimental techniques.
Standouts from the evening includes Margaret Yoah’s rubbery, Rosseau-inspired separates in jungle-themed hues, sparkling and sumptuous knits by fashion and knitwear design student Maggie Mo Luo, Drew Williams’ gel-covered knits and the mysterious, moody dyed ensembles by Lisa Relth.
Along with the evening’s main event, a runway show featuring 16 collections, chairs filled with VIP guests such as New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn, designers Yigal Azrouel, Nathalie Rykiel of Sonia Rykiel and Steven Cox and Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown kept many eyeballs in the crowd firmly trained on the front row. That the iconic Suzy Menkes made a last-minute, surprise appearance only added to the evening’s drama and air of celebration. After the show clipped by in a snappy 45 minutes, students received coveted awards and internship positions with establishments such as L’Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, which selected Drew Williams and Lisa Relth, as well labels such as Sonia Rykiel, which tapped Maggie Mo Luo for its internship program.
Below, we’ve pulled top looks from the show ranging from the wearable to conceptual and everywhere in between.
Thin, rubbery textiles and plant-laden prints defined pieces by Margaret Yoha.
Brittany Burggraff and Wendy Tam wowed with eye-catching prints on tiered, larger-than-life dresses.
Ashley Jung's menswear in crisp neutrals.
A combination of citrus and sea hues made the prints pop in this collaborative look by Lauren Haut and Darrin George.
Juhyun Vivi Park's voluminous women's collection gained edge from distressed details.
Deep blues and softly sparkling sequins brought a kind of grounded drama to the knitwear of Maggie Mo Luo.
Drew Williams took knitwear to a new and unexpected place by layering it with a gel-like exterior coating.
A softer, more subdued look by Drew Williams.
Stephanie Duarte, Baron Davis, Christina Monic Chavez sent distressed men's knitwear down the runway, as well as unexpected combinations such as suede and linen.
Painterly prints mixed with graduated dye detailing in pieces by Lisa Relth.
Another view of the above look by Lisa Relth.
Cynthia Tran and Kassie Moody looks fit for futuristic royalty in their collection of white gowns featuring original prints.
Sleek black, structured garments by Inez-Marie Galvez set the stage for cascading accessories by Rachele Barretto.
Menswear tailoring and sleek, soft lines collide in this look from Peter Loc Tan Nguyen.
The dark, complex layers of Jannika Lilja's collection was True Grit-meets-Goth Girl in the best way possible.
Photography courtesy Randy Brooke for Academy of Art University
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