 |
COLLECTION 2008
Annual Runway Show at RISD Highlights
Top Work of Emerging Designers
Saturday, May 17
contact: Jaime Marland, 401 427-6954 jmarland@risd.edu
Providence, RI — Stunning and innovative garments created by a talented group of Rhode Island School of Design [RISD] students will make their runway debut this spring in COLLECTION 2008. The annual event showcases the best work of more than 50 up-and-coming young designers in RISD’s Apparel Design department, and features the thesis collections of graduating seniors — the portfolio pieces that will earn many of them positions at top fashion houses around the world. COLLECTION 2008 will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 7pm, preceded by a 2pm dress rehearsal open to the public. Both events take place at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Avenue of the Arts (between Francis and Park streets) in Providence.
The rigorous selection process for the more than 150 pieces shown in COLLECTION 2008 is an important part of students’ preparation to enter the highly competitive fashion industry. Months of conceptual development, experimentation, meticulous assembly and precise fittings culminate in a series of critiques — an intense process of review, discussion and recommendations for refinement led by a panel of established designers. Final selections for the runway show are also made by the jury, which this year includes John Crocco, creative director of Perry Ellis; Leah Benjamin of American Eagle; Marcia Patmos [RISD ’91] of Lutz & Patmos; Leisbeth In’tHout, Director of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute; and RISD Professor Emerita Lorraine Howes, former head of Apparel Design.
Students at all levels in RISD’s Apparel Design program submit their work to the jury for consideration. Among the many projects presented in COLLECTION 2008 are coats designed by seniors, in addition to their thesis collections, and knitwear and tailored jackets by juniors. This year, the show will also feature garments from Fabric to Form, a studio in which 10 Apparel Design seniors partnered with 10 Textiles students on a collaborative collection design project supported by the Italian Trade Commission. The work, created using some of the finest yarns and fabrics in the world, was feted in Providence and New York in March. Selected sophomores also present intriguing solutions to the “Innovatives” challenge — to construct clothing out of anything other than fabric. Window shades and blinds, latex gloves, Band-Aids, plastic rings and lemon juice containers are just a few of the unusual alternative materials used this year.
A short film presents a behind-the-scenes look at the inspirations that give meaning to the work. “Providing the audience the chance to hear the seniors discuss the creative process illustrates their unique design personalities,” says Donna Gustavsen, head of the Apparel Design Department. “Each piece you see is the result of an individual vision that has grown throughout a long and challenging process.” Each senior presents his or her collection as a cohesive show-within-a-show, choreographed with visuals, music and words that complement the look and feel of the garments.
Many of the young student designers’ pieces reflect the experience of their recent internships in leading fashion houses; all seniors are given the opportunity to complete a professional internship, and many have worked for multiple prestigious design studios.
Orlando Hernandez, whose leather menswear creations were inspired by the “21st-Century Space Cowboy” and rock music, found a perfect fit with Manuel American Designs in Nashville — Manuel has designed for legendary talent including Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, John Wayne and Aerosmith. Alicia Reina’s time interning with Jonathan Saunders Ltd in London was a valuable experience as she developed a decadent, sexually charged collection inspired by legendary performance artist Leigh Bowery. Jenny Park found her atelier experience at Calvin Klein to be a great match, as her collection is centered on reinventing and deconstructing the classics with whimsical touches such as detachable ruffles and asymmetrical elements. Other seniors completed internships with Perry Ellis, Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Hussein Chalayan, Rachel Roy, Chanel and Christian Lacroix, among others.
COLLECTION 2008 also presents the opportunity for members of the public to purchase one-of-a-kind creations by these rising stars. Selections from the runway show and other pieces by RISD’s Apparel Design students are offered for sale on Sunday, May 18 at 12pm in the RISD Auditorium lobby (Canal Walkway at Market Square, Providence).
Graduating seniors are poised to join a group of highly accomplished alumni making names for themselves in the apparel industry. Nicole Miller [RISD ’73], Sari Gueron [RISD ’97], Nicole Romano [RISD ’00], Ana Alvarez-Calderon [RISD ’92], Laura Poretzky [RISD ’00] of Abaete and Nicole Murray [RISD ’92] of NM70 have all started independent labels, while others, such as Aaron Dickson [RISD ’02], designer at Vera Wang; Vanessa Pang [RISD ’95], design/product developer for Donna Karan International; and Lena Wells [RISD ’96], designer at Alexander McQueen, are among the many alumni who have found success at top-notch design houses. Graduates also pursue successful careers in related fields, such as Greg Foley [RISD ’91], creative director/design director at V magazine and VMan, and Elizabeth Sulcer, fashion editor at Black Book.
RISD’s Apparel Design Department prepares students to meet the highest requirements of the fashion industry. Built on the philosophy that design and technical skills are mutually enhancing, the program is structured to take students through all aspects of apparel design and construction, from functional to experimental clothing. Technical classes proceed from basic to advanced drafting, draping, and construction, and incorporate the use of computers as a tool for designing and rendering apparel. RISD has offered programs in Costume, Clothing and Fashion since 1918, and established the Department of Apparel Design in 1952.
Tickets for COLLECTION 2008 are $60, $40 and $30 for downstairs seating; $40 for mezzanine seating; and $22 for balcony seating. The public may attend the 2pm preview/rehearsal show for $17 (advance purchase) or $20 (day of show). Tickets for the general public will be available beginning April 28 at www.tickets.com and 800 919-6272, and beginning May 12 from the VMA box office at 401 272-4VMA. Proceeds benefit the RISD Scholarship Fund. For more information please call 401 454-6741.
About Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has earned a worldwide reputation as the preeminent art and design college in the country. Today, with more than 22,000 alumni, the college enrolls roughly 2,000 undergraduates and 400 graduate students from the United States and almost 50 countries, offering degree programs in the fine arts, architecture, and design disciplines, and art and design education. Academic programs include research and design initiatives, the exploration of art criticism and contemporary cultural concerns, as well as international exchange programs. Each year, RISD hosts prominent and accomplished artists, critics, and authors to its campus. Included within the college is The RISD Museum of Art, which houses a world-class collection of art objects from Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome and art of all periods from Asia, Europe and the Americas, as well as the latest in contemporary art. For more information go to www.risd.edu.
Note to Editors
Select images from work to be shown in COLLECTION 2008 are available at apps.risd.edu/ngallery/albums/135.aspx. Broadcast media and photographers are invited to attend the 2pm preview event on May 17. No flash photography will be allowed at the 7pm event. If you wish to obtain images, attend the show, or wish to arrange to speak with students and faculty members, contact Jaime Marland at 401 427-6954 or jmarland@risd.edu.
|
|
