August 30th, 2010, 10:59 AM

Adventures in Bangalore: Embroidery, Tie-Dye, Batik and Monsoons!

img_2050

Here are some photos of our Surface Techniques class. We learned embroidery as well as tie-dye & a method called batik (a method in which you apply wax to the surface of the fabric prior to the dying process and then boil the wax out.)

img_2053

img_2051

We just finished this class this past Friday! It’s so exciting to be done with one class — but I am so exhausted. For our final in that class we had to do 4 creative swatches (in about 2 days!) We needed to incorporate at least two techniques we learned throughout the class.

For more pictures, follow the jump.
Read more…

August 18th, 2010, 8:33 AM

Adventures in Bangalore: It’s Time for Class!

embroidery

Currently we are taking surface techniques. The classes here are a bit intense — they go by block scheduling so they have them for about a month at a time. We have classes Monday through Friday and yes, we sometimes have class on Saturday.

This week in surface techniques we are learning embroidery and all the different stitches for it. We had to execute 30-plus stitches to perfection and had to have them mounted mounted and present by this Friday. We also have 10 swatches for just the embroidery section due next week.

And P.S. The materials for the class cost me about 105 Rs. (rupees). In U.S, dollars it’s about $2.28!

Written by: Jennifer Isaza

Click here to read more of Adventures in Bangalore

August 16th, 2010, 11:01 AM

Opening Ceremony Welcomes Ronnie

ronnie

Ronnie Omar Nery, 2010 BFA Knitwear Design Alumnus was selected for an internship at Opening Ceremony by Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (who were guests at the Graduation Fashion Show in May) was recently featured on their blog. Click here to read his entire profile!

Congrats again Ronnie on your new internship at OC!

August 12th, 2010, 3:58 PM

Last Minute Invite: Anna Sheffield at Shotwell

annasheffield

Alum Anna Sheffield will be at Shotwell (320 Grant Avenue in San Francisco) from 6 to 9 p.m. to host a trunk show featuring her jewelry line, Bing Bang. Come for some good music, drinks, and of course, jewelry.

Read the interview we did with her when we visited her in New York last year.

Bing Bang [Official Site]

August 12th, 2010, 7:18 AM

Ashon Sylvester Illustrates Gala Gowns for Nob Hill Gazette

The San Francisco Opera season is quickly approaching and each year the Nob Hill Gazette asks fashion students for ideas on what the ladies should wear. This year includes fashion illustrations by Ashon Sylvester.

nhg-ashon

Born and raised in Palm Springs, California, Ashon graduated from Mesa Grande Academy in 2002 and worked as a graphic designer for Studio Waterman Inc. Interior Design Firm before beginning his studies in Menswear Design at Academy of Art University in San Francisco. While at school, he worked for Bay Area design companies Joseph Domingo, Free Gold Watch, and Black Klown Clothier. Last year, he was the recipient of the University’s Linus Mendenhall Scholarship for Menswear Design.

On May 6th, Ashon presented his menswear collection inspired by space Indians and made from leather at the University’s Graduation Fashion Show. After the fashion show, International Herald Tribune’s fashion editor Suzy Menkes presented Ashon with the University’s French Scholarship Award to study in Paris at Studio Berçot and, referring to jacket design details in his collection, said, “I think that anyone who can put a head inside the shoulder of a leather jacket will do fine in Paris.”

Ashon is spending the summer in Palm Springs before going to Paris this fall.

For the online version of the Nob Hill Gazette article, click here.

August 11th, 2010, 6:34 AM

Give Some ‘Fashion Aid’ to your Fellow Classmate

fashionaid

This Saturday, August 14th from 7-10 PM, the barber lounge on 854 Folsom Street is having a fashion fundraiser to help MFA Fashion and Knitwear Design student Jonathan David Baker raise funds for his collection. Jonathan is working towards the New York Fashion Week show in February 2011.

Former classmates, Bethany Meuleners, Sabah Mansoor Husain, Yuzuan Cheng, Stephanie Hoffman and Rinat Brodach are loaning their collections for the evening’s fashion show with a special musical performance by Rachel Silva. Catering, open bar and are over 20 raffle prizes!

Support your fellow classmate!

$20 advance tickets / $25 door tickets
For advance tickets call the barber lounge at 415-934-0411

August 10th, 2010, 9:37 AM

Adventures in Bangalore: Holy Cow!

Jennifer Isaza continues to share her adventures with fellow student Adriane-Lauren Hueso while in Bangalore, India for the student exchange program at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

cow2

Today I’m dedicating the post to cows.

Yes, cows.

It was absolutely amazing to see them out and about today. Some had ornate horns decorated with gold, but the most amazing thing was how they literally got to do anything they wanted.

So if they wanted to walk straight into traffic — they can…and cars must move around to them!

Enjoy the photos of cow around town.

Side note: I have yet to see that those elusive monkeys I hear at night and early morning, but a nice addition to this morning’s animal call alarms was a small goat.

Written by: Jennifer Isaza

Click here to read more of Adventures in Bangalore

August 5th, 2010, 6:48 AM

Norman Ambrose Gets Featured in SF IS

08-10-sfis2

2003 BFA Fashion and Textile Design Alumnus, Norman Ambrose, had a trunk show in Neiman Marcus and was featured in the August issue of SF IS. At the Academy of Art University Graduation Fashion Show in 2003, honored guest Josie Natori selected Norman for an internship with her company. After leaving fashion school, Norman worked for Versace and Bottega Veneta before launching his own collection. Here are some photos of Norman’s collection from the 2003 show. To see more of his work, visit his website.

Follow the jump for more pictures.
Read more…

August 4th, 2010, 9:56 AM

Get Ready for a Succulent Groove

2008 MFA Fashion Design Alumna, Felice Morganti, launches her collection Succulent Groove this Friday, August 7 at 9:00 p.m. at Club Six, 60 6th Street in San Francisco.

succulentgroove

With a focus on sustainable fashion that has less impact on the environment, Succulent Groove’s goal is to create clothing that goes beyond the concept of “eco-fashion” into unique art-wear that is current yet transcends style timelines. Look for up-cycled mash-ups, hemp knit hot pants adorned with lace, organic felting, leather bustles and a few surprises! (You can check out Succulent Groove’s website by clicking here.)

Presale tickets + a free special gift from Succulent Groove can be found at here.
This event is 21+ tickets $16 before 11PM and $20 after.

August 2nd, 2010, 1:12 PM

Jennifer and Adriane’s Adventures in Bangalore: The First 24 Hours

After 26+ hours of travel, textile design students Jennifer Isaza and Adriane-Lauren Hueso landed in Bangalore, India last week to begin their student exchange program at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

bangalore

Jennifer and Adriane were nice enough to send us some of their first adventurous 24 Hours in Bangalore:

- “We almost died, like seven times!” (in regards to their wild taxi drive from the airport)
- A troupe of monkeys outside their B&B were screeching all night. “We woke up to the sounds of monkeys, parrots, cows, and some other animals this morning.”
- The fusion European and Indian food is “delicious.”
- They hired personal auto rickshaw driver, Rasool, for day of power shopping (see photos). “We went insane; the colors are amazing!” Purchased: multiple saris, salwar kameez, bedding, scarves, etc.

If you want to know how it is to ride in an auto rickshaw, check out the following video:

Follow more of their adventures at Jennifer’s Tumblr blog: jengalore.tumblr.com