(Photo Credit: GQ.com)

British designer Andrew Buckler, an honored guest at the School of Fashion’s 2011 Graduation Show, has come out with a short film for his Spring 2012 collection. The film was inspired by the structures and buildings of NYC, seen through the eyes of photographers like Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine. It features a group of attractive Buckler boys and girls, and a high-stakes game of backgammon – and it’s seriously cool.

You can watch the video and read an interview with Andrew Buckler at here!

May 2011 B.F.A. fashion design graduate Stephanie Alegado has just landed a fabulous internship with menswear company Buckler in New York. This name might sound familiar, as the company’s founder and head designer, Andrew Buckler, was an honored guest at the May 2011 Graduation Fashion Show and received the Academy of Art University President’s Award for Excellence. Stephanie will be joining 2007 B.F.A. graduate Munsoo Kwon, who has been designing for the hip label for three years. We chatted with Stephanie as she prepares for her exciting move to NYC!

How did your interview go?

My interview went really well. I had made arrangements to meet with a member of the Buckler team for the interview but I was pleasantly surprised when Andrew himself came out and did the interview! He was so welcoming. We took some time to discuss San Francisco, the Academy of Art University, his experience at the show, and how I found myself in New York to interview for the position. He was very supportive, ensuring that I was familiar with New York and that if I were to make the move that I would have a stable living situation and wouldn’t be having a nervous breakdown my first week there. Fortunately, I’m quite familiar with the city and have plenty of couches to crash on if all else fails!

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William West (left) talks to Andrew Buckler at the Spring Portfolio Review. (Photo credit: Randy Brooke)

In 2007, William West was an online student studying from Atlanta, GA. Last year decided to move to the Bay Area to finish onsite. As he graduated with his M.F.A. this year, William was part of the Portfolio Review before the fashion show where he stood with his work and presented his swatches to guests and industry professionals. One of the guests was Nathalie Rykiel, President and Artistic Director of Sonia Rykiel. Fashion School Daily chatted with William about his encounter with Nathalie:

So, what did Nathalie say to you?

She didn’t really talk too much. I was explaining my process and she kept coming back to one of my designs. She said she really liked it — she liked the colors. She came back to me twice and then asked if I would sell it.

Tell us about the swatch she bought:

I used two different techniques — paper stencil and heat transfer to create the design. I used the colors mustard, orange, cranberry, green and black in horizontal stripes. The season was Resort and my inspiration was a Florida motel in the ’70s.

Any good feedback from the other guests:

Daniel Silver from Duckie Brown gave me good feedback. Most of my collection was silk and he said that he wanted to see more jersey. He liked the colors and we talked about cost efficient printing and techniques. Andrew Buckler said he liked the colors as well and took one of my cards.

What is next for Will West?

I have a few plans that I am working on. I am looking to relocate back East and see where it goes form there.

Will you miss the Bay Area?

The Bay Area is a very beautiful place and people here express themselves freely here. I will miss that a lot. However, I miss the East Coast much more. I enjoy having all four seasons!

You can visit William’s online portfolio at willwest.carbonmade.com. You can also follow him on Twitter:
@willwestly

Nathalie Rykiel (right) looks at the work by BFA Fashion and Knitwear major Jannika Lilja.

Nathalie Rykiel & Lola Rykiel, Steven Cox & Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown, and Andrew Buckler & Bram Robinsom (director of wholesale of Andrew Buckler) toured the School of Fashion and visited the studios. They spent time with students reviewing portfolios, projects and sketchbooks to give feedback and help with internship selection.

Take a look at the pic to see them in action (All photos by Randy Brooke):

For more information on our graduation fashion show and events, click here.

Yesterday, 601 Brannan was bustling as a tent sprouted to showcase the collections of our graduating fashion school students. In the evening show, our guests of honor which included Cathy Horyn, Nathalie Rykiel, Yigal Azrouël, Andrew Buckler, Steven Cox & Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown, Christina Neault, and Laure du Pavillon reviewed student portfolios and sat front row to view the collections of our graduating seniors. As an added bonus, International Herald Tribune fashion editor (and last year’s guest of honor) Suzy Menkes made a surprise appearance and sat front row to watch the collections alongside our other guests.

A look by Margaret Yoha. Photo credit: Randy Brooke.

Cathy Horyn wasted no time to write up her experience at our show. This morning, she posted a piece about the collections on her New York Times blog, “On the Runway.” Here’s a snippet:

The Academy of Art has some standout students — among them Margaret Yoha, who managed to find symmetry in Elton John and Genghis Khan; Peter Nguyen; the prints of Darrin George; the designs of Lauren Haut; and Maggie Mo Luo, whose knitwear was selected by Nathalie Rykiel for a top prize.

To read the entire post, click here.

For more information on our graduation fashion show and events, click here.

Menswear designer, Andrew Buckler, was born in England, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master of Art, was awarded the Mercier Champagne Scholarship, and was a representative on the Royal College of Art Senate. He launched Buckler in April 2001 and has since opened his flagship in New York’s Meatpacking District and stores on Grand Street in New York’s SoHo, as well as London and Toronto. Buckler is sold at select retailers internationally and worn by such personalities as Jeremy Renner, Robert Buckley, Jay-Z, Shia LaBeouf, Giovanni Ribisi, Robert Plant, John Legend and Tommy Lee. He is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). His designs are tailored, versatile, masculine and sexy, brought to life with quality textiles from the U.S. and Italy. Buckler, the brand, has stayed true to its origin aesthetic conception: English Bloke meets New York.

Fashion School Daily caught up with Andrew Buckler before his San Francisco visit next week.

Have you ever been to San Francisco before?
This is my first time. I’m looking forward to my visit!

What are you planning to do during your visit?
I will be meeting some of our wholesale stores and looking at possibilities for a Buckler retail store — would be great to have our own store in San Francisco!

How far in advance does a collection usually come together? Have you begun working on your Spring/Summer ’12 collection for September?
Yes, Spring/Summer ’12 is well on the way; we started it in January — researching ideas then creating actual designs. Now we are starting to review prototypes. Menswear (Spring/Summer) has to be finished by June and ready in time for wholesale (US/Europe), with the show in September, for the press.

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Cathy Horyn (left) and Nathalie Rykiel

The School of Fashion will debut collections from graduating students on Thursday, May 5 at the annual Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony.

Each year, the fashion school honors industry leaders who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of fashion and creates opportunities for guests to interact with students during classroom visits, discussions, and portfolio reviews.

The Degree of Honorary Doctorate from Academy of Art University will be presented to:

• Cathy Horyn, the fashion critic of The New York Times
• Nathalie Rykiel, the president and artistic director of Sonia Rykiel

Academy of Art University President’s Award for Excellence will be presented to:

• Fashion designer Yigal Azrouël
• Fashion designer Andrew Buckler
• Fashion designers Steven Cox and Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown
• Christina Neault, executive producer of IMG Fashion
• Laure du Pavillon, proprietor of Coeur d’enterprise

Previous guests to the School of Fashion include Azzedine Alaïa, Prosper and Martine Assouline, Geoffrey Beene, Rose Marie Bravo, The Honorable Bertrand Delanoë Mayor of Paris, Loulou de la Falaise, Oscar de la Renta, David Downton, Keanan Duffty, Patrik Ervell, James Galanos, Joan Kaner, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony, Antonio Lopez, Fern Mallis, Alexander McQueen, Rosita and Tai Missoni, Isaac Mizrahi, Josie Natori, Elisa Palomino, Zac Posen, Zandra Rhodes CBE, Ralph Rucci, Jeremy Scott, Carla Sozzani, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene, and Dame Vivienne Westwood DBE, as well as Christophe Girard Director of Fashion Strategy of LVMH Fashion Group, Robin Givhan, and Suzy Menkes.

Stay tuned for more info on our “fashion week” in May!

I ran into alum Munsoo Kwon at the Andrew Buckler presentation this afternoon — but that isn’t a surprise. The 2007 BFA menswear design graduate has been designing for the hip label for three seasons now (Remember when we chatted with him last year? His hair has definitely grown out since then).

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Mun-Soo Kwon stands by his work with Buckler

After nearly two years of living and working in New York, Mun-Soo Kwon, a 2007 BFA menswear design graduate, got a sweet gig with acclaimed menswear designer, Andrew Buckler. Needless to say, he is doing pretty good for himself…and lucky for us, we got to attend the presentation of the S/S 2010 collection and we were more than happy to attend.

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