Parsons MFA Show spring/summer 2017 collection catwalk show for NYFW

The Parsons MFA runway show kicked off the S/S 2017 season at Made with a bright and bold show. Showing off the best and brightest of what’s to come in fashion there was a decidedly upbeat feeling to both the crowd and the designs show on the runway.

13 graduates showed their visions for spring/summer 2017 and while they all put their personal spin on things there were some overarching themes of pushing beyond traditional gender roles and deconstructing and reconstructing familiar shapes and pieces into something new. Learn a bit more about each of the designers and their take on the future of fashion below.

Gahee Lim played with androgyny casting both male and female models alike in bold colorful “suits” of sorts constructed with sheer panels and finishing the look off with high heels.

 

Mook Attakanwong took deconstruction to its most glamorous conclusion, mixing shreaded silks and denim with rhinestone chains.

Xiang Gao took a bold but polished approach to a collection of dresses in strong paired-down shapes and fairly rigid fabrics played up with splashes of bright colors.

Snow Xue Gao also took a topsy-turvy approach mixing fabrics such as silks and tweeds into a reconstructed mash up of masculine and feminine shapes worn upside down and back to front.

 

Kozaburo Akasaka’s menswear collection felt like a mashup of the 1970s New York Glam and a western. Cropped denim flares paired with red platform boots started the show and some leather and more tailored outerwear finished if off.

Jessie Shroyer’s collection saw deconstruction done playfully. Sexy sheer stripes and fringe with just barely there Disney characters and McDonald’s logos.  

Bright colors and strong patterns were highlighted by Purple Mountain’s use of a variety of textures from sheer silks to knits and fringe to sequins in this joyful womenswear collection.

 

Clean silhouettes prevailed at this sportswear inspired collection by Anne-Marie Gruber, who put her own spin on the classic shapes using strong graphic stripes and sheer cutouts to give a feminine flare.

Ran Bi’s menswear collection seemed like it was inspired by the outdoors with a bit of edgy toughness to the de and reconstructed fashions that looked repurposed, featuring details like inside out pockets and a bit of plastic sheen.

Alex Huang used airy sheer fabrics combined with graphic patterns to create unique textiles for his layered designs, several of which had wonderfully dramatic silhouettes.

Though all black, there was something light about the deft hand Bjorg Skarphinsdottir used to design the knitwear heavy collection. The monochromatic pallet allowed the deconstructed shapes to stand on their own.

Queenie Qinghe Cao’s collection managed to be both strong and fun with a sequins, fringe, and her own created textiles used on garments that played with shape and proportion.

Jahnkoy took jerseys and athletic clothing and reconstructed the garments into shapes that had a tribal inspiration then styled them to the hilt with rhinestones and bells that jingled as they walked down the runway.

While we don’t know what all the graduates will do now that their time at Parsons has come to a close, these designers no doubt have a bright future ahead of them. Perhaps this is especially true for Queenie Qinghe Cao as her design was worn to the Parsons show by established designer Kay Unger.  

Maggie Gillette
Photos: Dominique Perrett

For further information about Parsons MFA visit here.