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COLLECTION 2012: RISD’s Annual Runway Show Highlights the Top Work of Emerging Apparel Designers
04/05/2012
Rhode Island Convention
Center to Host Collection on Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18
Providence, RI — After months of conceptual development, experimentation and
meticulous construction, Rhode Island School of Design [RISD] students will
debut their final garments on the runway at COLLECTION 2012. The Apparel Design department’s
popular fashion show will take place at 8:00pm with a preview show on Thursday,
May 17 and main show on Friday, May18at Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin Street,
Providence RI.
The
annual event offers an exciting opportunity for more than 50 talented young
designers to showcase their one-of-a-kind creations to an enthusiastic
audience, during a fun and fast-paced evening of entertainment that offers a
sneak peak at the tastemakers and trendsetters of the future. Attendees have a first-hand look at many of the
portfolio pieces that will earn graduates positions at top fashion houses
around the world.
The
designs shown in each year’s Collection are juried by a panel of guest
critics – professional designers who carefully review and discuss the work,
give students critical feedback and select the best garments for the runway
show. The rigorous selection process for
the more than 150pieces shown in
COLLECTION 2012 is an important part of students’ preparation to enter the
competitive industry. This year the jury includes the talented Hilary
Gaul [RISD ‘90], creative director for apparel, C. Wonder;Gary
Graham of Gary Graham Collection; Aaron Millhiser [RISD ‘02], senior
designer/women’s wovens, J.Crew; Loraine Howes professor emerita and Tommy Hilfiger founder, Tommy
Hilfiger.
Among the
projects presented in COLLECTION 2012 are concepts in color collections
designed by seniors, in addition to their degree project collection – unified bodies of work that
showcase professional-grade conceptual and technical skills. Juniors have a strong presence in the show with knitwear and the cut and sew costume collaboration
with Merce Cunningham and Brown University. Selected sophomores show pieces
from a textile and apparel department’s print collaboration project and demonstrate
the department’s focus on creative problem solving with the “Re-Innovatives”
challenge –to construct a wearable
piece out of recycled materials other than fabric. Students have constructed
garments out of a wide variety of recycled materials other than fabric.
“COLLECTION
showcases the impressive work of our student designers and provides a look into
their individual design processes,” said Catherine Andreozzi, head of the
Apparel Design Department. “It is an exciting evening and for seniors it marks
the culmination of their development and education at RISD.”
One-of-a-kind
selections from the runway show and other pieces by RISD’s Apparel Design
students are offered for sale to the public on Sunday, May 20 at 12pm - 4pm in the
RISD Auditorium lobby, Canal Walkway at Market Square, Providence [corner of South Main Street and
College streets]. Select garments from Collection 2012 will be available Saturday, May 19 10am - 7pm and Sunday, May 20 11am - 5pm at Clad in Women's Clothing Boutique, 497 Angell Street, [Wayland Square] Providence, RI.
Graduating
seniors are poised to join a group of prominent alumni in the apparel industry.
Nicole Miller [RISD ’73], Sari Gueron [RISD ’97],
Sally Lapointe [RISD ’06], Robert Geller [RISD ‘01], Nicole Romano [RISD ’00],
Ani Alvarez-Calderon [RISD ’92], Laura Poretzky [RISD ’00] of Abaete’ and
Marcia Patmos [RISD ’91], have all started independent labels, while others,
such as Vanessa Pang [RISD ’95], design/product developer for Donna Karan
International; and Lena Wells [RISD ’96], designer at Hussein Chalayan, are
among the many alumni who have found success at top-notch design houses.
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 product visualization. RISD has offered programs in Costume, Clothing and
Fashion since 1918, and established the Department of Apparel Design in 1952.
Tickets for
COLLECTION 2012 are $42 and $62. For the preview/rehearsal show on May 17 tickets
are $17 in advance and $22 day of. Tickets for the general public will be
available beginning May 2 at the Dunkin Donuts Center box office. Tickets are
available on site at the RI Convention Center in advance of the show on May 17
and May 18 only. 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 an international
reputation as the leading college of art and design in the United States.
Approximately 2,400 students from around the world study at RISD, pursuing
full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in a choice of 19 studio
majors. RISD is known for its phenomenal faculty of artists and designers, the
breadth of its specialized facilities and its hands-on, studio-based approach
to learning – one in which critical thinking informs making works by hand.
Required courses in the liberal arts provide an essential complement to studio
work, enabling graduates to become critical and informed individuals eager to
engage with the world. Through the accomplishments of its 26,000 alumni, the
college champions the vital role artists and designers play in satisfying the
global demand for innovation. Founded in 1877, RISD (pronounced “RIZ-dee”) and
the RISD Museum of Art help make Providence, RI among the most culturally
active and creative cities in the region. For more information, visit
www.risd.edu.
Note to Editors
Broadcast
media and photographers are invited to attend the 8 pm preview event on May 17. No flash photography will be allowed on May
18 at the main event. If you wish to
obtain images, attend the show, or speak with students and faculty members,
contact Danielle Mancuso at 401 454.6334 or dmancuso@risd.edu.
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