Nine designers from around the country showcased a slice of their immense talent at potential as part of The Art Institutes Show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Giving these designers a platform on a national level was not just a slick opportunity for them, but a visual treat for audiences who got to see a plethora of shows in one. The debut was saturated with inspirations from a variety of cultural and design backgrounds.

Devon Pezzano – Art Institute of Philadelphia

Hailing from my former hometown Philadelphia, this was a red, black and white themed collection, three of my favorite colors, especially the red. A red neoprene mesh bubble overall opened the segment as a fairly gender neutral outfit, barring the puffed sleeves.  Neoprene was a common fabric element here, for mostly dresses, where I enjoyed the accenting of cardigans or asymmetrical shorts the best.

Mimmy Begazo – Miami International University of Art and Design

Calling her geometrically stunning outfits “anti-radiation”, this was a futuristic looking collection foiled in silver patchwork on rectangular dresses with a plethora of fabric and taupe patchwork or organza. With a penchant for shine and metal infusions in fashion, I enjoyed both the unique cutouts of the organza dresses versus jackets, as well as the creative shapes of metal wire and sparkle of metallic foil on every outfit.

Rene Majia – The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

The gray satin pantsuit with a cut-away jacket was my favorite piece in the entire show, highly gender neutral and creatively accented with colors. Outside of these, this was a futuristic take on princess attire, with a pink tulle overskirt atop a satin gown, or a pink flounce on a simple white satin gown. Using the baby pink accents was a clever way to feminize the delicate whites even further.

Esther Ashiru – The Art Institute of Vancouver

A clever take on deception was a nude mesh bodysuit with gray beaded and embroidered appliques, fairly risque on the front, but with a gray apron train in the back to make it fit for an evening. The black and gray theme was prominent with sequined bustiers, bodysuits, organza skirts and a plethora of appliques. Being a shine and sparkle enthusiast, this collection fit right into avant garde evening wear. However my favorite was a white sequined peplum top with an oversized bow and satin skirt, almost bridal looking, but with stunning detail and tonal contrast with the fabric and skin.

Maria D’Ocon – Miami International University of Art & Design

Going the bridal way was a series of white lace and applique dresses that would make anyone crave an impromptu wedding, if only to gape at the bride. I could not decide between a favorite of the outfits, given their variety from mesh lace with appliques and matching trains to a white chiffon illusion neckline gown. The outtakes as a dress with an organza coat and chiffon cape, or an altogether masculine rendition with a lace sequined sheer pant ensured that the combinations of white and lace could unravel an infinite collection of possibilities.

Julissa Arrington – The Art Institute of California –  San Francisco

Admittedly having walked right into this show, I caught the theme of white as a spring/summer 2017 essential. With off white maxis paired with jackets, linen and silk dresses and a gauze shawl (being a favorite accessory of all seasons), it was  a luscious combination of a disparate series of fabrics, unified by the color white.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKjec45BtEI

Melody Hernandez – The Art Institute of Dallas

A smart and almost ready-to-wear collection consisted of mix and match skirts (one with vinyl geometric appliques as a favorite!) with bustier and mesh tops. The bursts of iridescent blue and pink blush or light blue and black gave this collection a starry night quality, compared to the pastels seen at other shows.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKKTteHBkae

Bianca Zidik – The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago

Who said neon pink and orange was stuck in the retro 70s and 80s? Bringing back the multicolor patchwork dress, a cropped pink jacket over a pink mini skirt or the orange hound tooth’s flared pants with a faux fur vest, this collection rivaled many others on its interpretation of haute couture.

Adrian Escoto – The Art Institute of New York City

Hailing from New York, these designs were almost all patchwork, a modernist and signature style of the designer. With blue being a key color tone, the denim patchwork shirtdress, layers involving a patchwork jacket with white pants and a crop top with a midi skirt were standouts. The patchwork theme was well executed, even on the designer’s own menswear shirt!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKRHXuLDhfi

With an inspired sense of fulfillment, having seen the dreams of these debutantes come true, I left feeling content and entrusted for the bright future of fashion.