The Art Institute of New York City featured 10 designers – 6 current students, 4 recent graduates. A diverse range of themes was presented – minimalist color-blocking, earthy explorations in tailoring, and deliberate structuring rounded out a showcasing of the Institute’s most promising designers of the future.
Each student brought their unique life experience and style to their collections. Daniel Jennings’ BFA in architecture clearly held a strong influence in his work, with solid structuring that gave the illusion of free flow. Jennings’ collection was juxtaposed, presenting after Josimar Torres’ androgynous, gender-bending aesthetic – black, draped, cowl tops, male models with brightly-colored clutches, and sheer, mesh tunics.
Michael Doyle – a crowd favorite – brought the show to a climax and gave an elaborate finish. Drawing inspiration from such designers as Alexander McQueen, and Viktor & Rolf, Doyle clearly thrives as an artist first, utilizing fashion as his chosen medium.
Other items of note included Qutashia Lee’s fractured color-blocking, Diana Sanchez’s slouchy linens, and Ian Jain Park’s dark inclusion of dyed jersey knits, accessorized with destroyed string instruments.