Art Institutes spring/summer 2017 collection catwalk show for NYFW

The Art Institutes presented an upbeat show of designers from their schools across the United States. Nine designers were selected to show, each presenting a capsule collection of six looks at Moynihan Station. The upbeat show was predominantly accompanied by cheerful pop music giving off the impression that these designers feel the future of fashion is bright.

Adrian Escoto started off the show with a sporty collection comprised entirely of denim in a patchworked palette of blues and whites. The youthful line was well edited and easy to wear.

Bianca Zidik presented a cheerful collection of mod-inspired pieces. Miniskirts and short shift dresses looked fresh in bold pink patchworked fabrics kept grounded by a judicious use of tweed. The addition of pink glitter faux fur added whimsy.  

Melody Hernandez showed pieces with a moody vibe. The collection combined the flowing influences of 70s boho with harder edged details like safety pins and grommets that seemed, along with the choice of Oasis as the musical accompaniment, to reverence the 90s.

Julissa Arrington chose to let the shapes of her collection speak for themselves by choosing an ethereal all-white colour palette. The collection played with textures and proportions to great effect and her use of lacing details worked well in her monochromatic looks.  

Devon Pezzano’s pieces were strong yet restrained. The use of draping with stiff fabrics such as neoprene created bold clean shapes that would attract a lot of modern women. The look of the garments was enhanced by the choice to use only black, white and red.

Mimmy Begazo’s collection was a futuristic take on the 80s. The silhouettes were reminiscent of the power suits of the era with exaggerated hips and shoulders shown in the collection. Metallic foil printed leather gave a unique spin paired with the organza that comprised most of the collection.

Rene Mejia’s collection was all about feminine romance. The looks were entirely made of satin and tulle and the designer played with the different properties of the two fabrics letting the satin give weight to designs while the pleated tulle fluttered down the runway.

Eveningwear was the theme for Ashiru’s collection. The designer pulled out all the stops starting the show with a nude illusion gown to catch the audience’s eye and continuing with dramatic looks in satin and lace. 

To conclude, Maria D’Ocon presented a bridal collection that was decidedly on trend. The beautifully embellished gowns featured three dimensional lace and beading. The two standouts were the bridal pants suit and the bridal cape that billowed down the runway.

Maggie Gillette
Photos: Luis R Feliz

For further information on the Art Institutes visit here.