NYFW S/S’14 – The Art Institute of New York City’s student show: fashion has a bright future

Year after year, The Art Institute of New York City prepares hundreds of students for a career in the fashion industry. On 5^th September 2013, a mixture of graduates and present students donned models with their clothing using different musical choices to set the mood of their production, demonstrating what happens at the crossroads of passion and education.

From a minimalist designer like graduate student Isaiah Isaac, to the dramatics of current student Michael Doyle, and everything in between, The Art Institute is doing its part in producing style influencers of tomorrow. Isaac already uses his creativity on the design team for Macy’s Alfani collection. According to Isaac: “Style is one’s true personality portrayed by the personification of their attire. Style is the essence of all that we are and it’s how we inaudibly express ourselves.”  His collection spoke volumes on the runway even with his minimalistic approach to clothing and use of solid, basic colours. At the other end of the spectrum, Doyle’s collection was full of show-stopping dramatic pieces complete with feathers, clearly representing his belief that “fashion is theatre”. 

At the end of the show, each designer proudly met one of their models on the runway and walked the catwalk hand in hand to cheers and applause from the crowd. Although it is evident that each student approached the task of creating clothing differently from sketching, sewing, colours, style and fabric, one thread is essentially the same. The flash of lights on the stage at LincolnCenter was symbolically an indication that these students of The Art Institute have a bright future ahead of them.

Kamilah Dunbar
Photos: Kamilah Dunbar