All year long, Milan art gallery 10 Corso Como has been celebrating their 20th Anniversary with some amazing collaborations. They’ve created limited edition collections with Petit Bateau, Marni, Comme des Garcons, Superga, and more. The latest collab to drop is with Melissa + Gareth Pugh, who have created a capsule collection of eco-friendly plastic flats in Corso Como’s signature black and white.. The collection will debut this Friday, November 25th with a party at the gallery from 6 to 9 PM. So if you happen to be in Milano, be sure to stop by this shindig while the rest of us recover from our Thanksgiving induced food hangovers!

Photo Credit: Wist Thorpe

In April 2007, Loulou de la Falaise visited the School of Fashion. She spoke to fashion students, reviewed portfolios and sat front row at the Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony where she was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters for her contribution to the world of art and design from Academy of Art University president Dr. Elisa Stephens.

She gave students valuable advice on a panel discussion for the fashion students with Robin Givhan, fashion editor of The Washington Post, Titti Matteoni, editor-in-chief of Fashion magazine in Italy, Ceslie Armstrong, award-winning editor, TV host and editor-in-chief of ceslie.com, Elizabeth Varnell, style director of San Francisco magazine, Charlotte Lurot, director of Bacchus PR in London, and fashion designer Zac Posen.

Loulou de la Falaise was a close friend, muse and designer of Yves Saint Laurent for nearly 30 years. She began as a model for Vogue, designed prints for Halston, and worked on Saint Laurent’s couture and RTW collections building her reputation as a designer. She was born into a highly aristocratic family that would predispose her to a life directed by fashion and art. She was considered one of the best-dressed women in the world. After a thirty-year partnership, Yves Saint Laurent retired and she began her own label in February 2003. Her boutique at 21 rue Cambon was a fanfare of color and rich materials, reflecting her passion for her flower-filled country garden and her travels to far-flung destinations. She created collections of jewelry, ready-to-wear, accessories and decorative objects for the home. Her collections were carried in boutiques and department stores in Tokyo, New York, Casablanca, Toronto, Hong Kong, Brussels, London, Berlin, Geneva, and Zurich. In California, her jewelry retailed at the home store of ‘At Home at Sweet Things’ in Tiburon.

Rest in peace dear friend. You will be missed.

Beyond the Front Row is hosting a discussion/Q+A and book sale/signing with author Susan J. Ashbrook this Wednesday, Novemeber 2. Her first book, Will Work for Shoes, details the art and business of red carpet marketing. After working as the Public Relations Director for Richard Tyler, Ashbrook founded her own company, Film Fashion – one of the first companies to pair celebrities and designers in order to gain media coverage. Her book discuses the development of celebrity marketing and offers advice for emerging designers to get their garments on the red carpet. She will be answering questions, offering advice, and giving a glimpse into the glamorous world where fashion meets film!

WHAT: Beyond the Front Row hosts Susan Ashbrook, author of Will Work for Shoes, for a Discussion/Q & A and book signing

WHEN: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 – Discussion/Q+A from 4:30-5:30 PM, Book Sales/Signing from 5:30-6:30 PM

WHERE: 625 Polk St., Room 201

Patrik Ervell, who was a School of Fashion honored guest and Award of Excellence recipient in 2010, has finally launched a women’s wear line! He won the Ecco Domani Award for best men’s wear designer in 2007 and was nominated by the CFDA for best men’s wear designer this past year for his spectacular designs. His clothes are truly amazing, so it’s not wonder the ladies took notice – often purchasing the men’s wear for themselves. Women’s wear was a natural progression for the designer, who told Fashionista, “I think my girl might sometimes dabble in menswear pieces, but the new collection also has a serious women’s component too.” Did he just describe our ideal collection? I think so!

Peep some of the looks after the jump! Read more…

Jack Mackenroth, Patrick McDonald, and Keanan Duffty

“The Academy of Art University fashion show is always one of my favorites at Fashion Week because the designers are ultra innovative since they are not restrained by the commerce aspect of fashion. It’s pure walking art. It always reinvigorates why I LOVE fashion and reinforces the belief that there is a promising wave of designers coming up the ranks. Plus I got to sit next to my friends Patrick McDonald and Keanan Duffty–What’s better than that!!”
- Jack Mackenroth, Season 4 of Project Runway
Visit Jack’s Website, Facebook, and Twitter

“The Academy of Art University is always my most anticipated show of the week for this dandy, I love seeing the new talent, it is so inspiring. New ideas just float down the runway in their creations, I just adore it! ”
- The Dandy Patrick McDonald
Visit Patrick’s Facebook

“The Academy of Art University does what no other college dares to do – it shows during New York Fashion week alongside the big names of the industry and truly delivers a dynamic show each season. Quite often the Academy show is more inspiring than many of the established designers. It is always my pleasure to attend the Academy of Art University show to see emerging designers in the making.”
- Keanan Duffty, fashion designer and author of ‘Rebel Rebel: Anti-Style’ by Rizzoli, 2009,
Visit Keanan’s website and blog

Last week, Julie Barrientos, a College Relations Specialist from BCBG, visited the School of Fashion. Over two days, she interviewed approximately 25 students from both the undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of Design, Textiles, and Knitwear. She scrupulously looked over portfolios scouting for internships in various areas including Left Wing – which is their runway division, housing BCBG and Herve Leger – and Right Wing – which includes BCBG Generation and Max & Cleo.

Even though she had to catch a flight to LA just after her presentation, she took the time to review the portfolio of another student who was not able to get an interview slot and actually complimented her on taking the initiative to bring the portfolio “just in case” (a great lesson for the future!) She is truly dedicated to bringing true talent to the company. Also, during the Q&A, she spoke about what she looks for in a portfolio and emphasized the necessity for neatness (no coffee spills or torn pages) and encouraged students to invest in a clean professional portfolio format to give interviewers the right impression. She also mentioned that she enjoys seeing process pages and strong illustration skills with good proportions, and of course excellent flats.

We thank Julie for visiting us at the Academy of Art University and good luck to all the students who interviewed!

At the May 2006 San Francisco Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony, Ji Won Ree, B.F.A. Knitwear Design, was selected by Guest of Honor Alexander McQueen to work with him in his London studios for three months. During her internship, two of her designs ended up on the runway in McQueen’s men’s wear show.

Through McQueen, she met Jas Sehmbi and began designing knitwear for his Jas M.B. line. In 2007, Jiwon arranged for Jas to visit the School of Fashion to speak to the students. That visit also turned into a reunion of sorts as Director of the School of Fashion Simon Ungless, Alexander McQueen, and Jas were at Central Saint Martins together.

Jiwon has remained in London and today is head of knitwear at Roland Mouret.

What do you do at Roland Mouret?
I am responsible for women’s knitwear. I directly work with Roland Mouret and discuss the style of the designs with him on a regular basis. I also work closely with the women’s wear design team to ensure uniformity of design across the clothing line. I also handle production, which means liaising with the factories and travelling to countries like France, China and Italy.

How long have you been in London?
Just over 2 and a half years

Follow the jump to read more! Read more…

Jack Mackenroth, from Project Runway Season 4, Dandy Patrick McDonald, and 2010 School of Fashion Honored Guest Keanan Duffty

From the Real Housewives of New York, Alex McCord and her husband Simon van Kempen

Stylists Gerardo Larrea and Toño Choy Kay

Follow the jump to see more! Read more…

Kevin Rosenbloom from the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund with School of Fashion Executive Director Gladys Perint Palmer

Last Friday morning, Kevin Rosenbloom, a board member of the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund, spoke to eligible students about the scholarship program for the upcoming year. This is the first time that the Academy of Art University has been included in this scholarship. The YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund is an organization comprised of senior executives from major U.S. retail and manufacturing companies. They are dedicated to promoting education of the fashion arts and business and grant scholarships to talented students each year, as well as facilitate internships and mentorships.

Kevin spoke to the students about the scholarship fund and the amazing opportunities that it provides. He also spoke about changes in the Fashion Industry in today’s economic climate, giving the young designers and fashion hopefuls some excellent advice.

“Designers are still thinking about design and fit and sketches 80% of the time, but they also have to think about the business side of things. Who is your customer, what is your target market?”

Wonderful words of wisdom from Mr. Rosenbloom, a fashion industry vet who worked for Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue for 20 years, and now works at Rose Consults, a fashion consulting firm. He also stressed the importance of learning from each and every opportunity and experience – saying it’s not as important WHERE you work but what you learn from it and take on to your next endeavor.

We thank him for coming to speak at the Academy of Art University and wish luck to all the students who participate!

You can learn more about the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund here.

Academy of Art University School of Fashion student Chris Lee is a finalist in the Color Collection T-Shirt Design Contest sponsored by Vitamin Water and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In April, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright from Rag & Bone and Andrea Linett, creative director of eBay fashion, visited the school to talk about their experiences in the industry as well as promote the contest. Contestants had to submit artwork for a Vitamin Water inspired t-shirt design and Chris’ design was chosen as one of the lucky finalists!

The winner will join the ranks with established designers such as Derek Lam, Chris Benz, Richard Chai, and the duos behind Vena Cava, Rag & Bone, and Shipley & Halmos who have all contributed designs for the Color Collection, as well as receive a $5,000 grant to start their own collection~

The contest ends tomorrow – and the winner is chosen based on votes – so go to the Vitamin Water Facebook page, like it, and vote for Chris Lee’s design!!

Good luck Chris!!