Photo by Randy Brooke.

On Thursday, May 3rd the Academy of Art University hosted it’s annual Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony, an unforgettable evening of sartorial splendor. Press, industry, students, family, and friends – not to mention our awesome Guests of Honor – all packed into our new venue at The Cannery for a seriously impressive show. Academy of Art University President, Dr. Elisa Stephens, opened the show, welcoming all of the fashionable attendees and presenting Honorary Doctorates to Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, milliner, and Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, president and CEO of the ALFA and AL HAMA luxury retail corporations who own and operate Harvey Nichols, Donna Karan, and DKNY stores in Saudi Arabia. The flashbulbs (alright cellphones – but flashbulbs sounds so much cooler) were going wild as our guests took to the stage to receive their honorary degrees. Other front row players included Suzy Menkes, fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune, Cathy Horyn, fashion critic for The New York Times, Stephan Rabimov, editor in chief of DEPESHA magazine, Jayne Seward, fashion editor of California Apparel News, and Katie Hintz-Zambrano, senior editor at Refinery29 – suffice it to say that there were some serious industry heavyweights in the room.

And then it was time for the main attraction – the Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony. The show opened with Renata Lindroos and Mina Fadaie’s collection – a fashion and textile design collaboration inspired by distorted perceptions in 1960s horror films. The architectural pieces looked amazing on the runway, and the prints had everyone mesmerized. Hely Nguyen’s collection followed – a series of structured menswear-inspired looks that play with length and layers. Then it was onto a the collaboration featuring designs by Erica Laba, textiles by Liza Quiñones, and knitwear by Emma Mengchen Yang. The opening look was a sheer, silk organza shirtdress that achieved the perfect balance between prim and provocative. Ethan Chihuan Yang’s minimalist collection featured angular, sculpted silhouettes in dark hues that were simultaneously restrained and dramatic.

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Simon Ungless, Sarah Burton, Dr. Elisa Stephens, Philip Treacy, and Gladys Perint Palmer.

If you missed your chance to see Sarah Burton and Phillip Treacy at the School of Fashion Symposium, here’s a wrap-up of the event!!

The guests of honor: Sarah Burton, creative director for Alexander McQueen and Phillip Treacy, milliner, took the stage on Wednesday May 2nd at 9:30am in the Morgan Auditorium. Gladys Perint Palmer, Executive Director of the School of Fashion, led the Q&A discussion along with Simon Ungless, Director of the School of Fashion, and Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of Academy of Art University.

Simon Ungless and Sarah Burton have known each other since 1996, when Simon was her tutor at the Central St. Martins School of Art, in London. Simon is a big fan of Burton’s work – he originally recommended her for an internship to McQueen while she was a young student at the school – and loves her philosophy of the craft. For her part, Burton feels that she continues to be in Simon’s debt, artistically and professionally. “He really provoked me, made me think in a different way,” she recalled.

Her soft-spoken manner was accompanied by quick and thorough responses. She sported a casual look in pale blue jeans, a colorful printed jacket and ankle-strap bright red pointy heels. For a woman with such high-profile status she was completely genuine and down to earth.

The conversation then turned to Treacy who wore a blue track jacket with matching blue sweater, black fitted pants and black boots. He spoke about how hats have come in and out of vogue, commenting that when President Kennedy refused to wear a hat to his inauguration, he “singlehandedly killed the hat industry,” telling a (perhaps apocryphal) story that before the Inauguration, JFK and his brothers were spotted kicking a top hat around in the White House.

Treacy, born in Ireland, continued in his humorous light touch. At one point when Gladys expressed concern about how to wear a hat with her eyeglasses, he responded that she could “always switch to contact lenses.’’ And when President Stephens asked him about the distinction between the fascinators worn at the recent royal wedding, and more conventional hats, he responded: “I’ve never liked that word ‘Fascinators.’ It always sounds like a particularly dodgy sex toy.’’ The audience cracked up.

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Illustration by Gladys Perint Palmer. 

Tomorrow morning, Gladys Perint Palmer, Executive Director of the School of Fashion, will host a discussion with Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of Academy of Art University, Simon Ungless, Director of the School of Fashion; Guest of Honor Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen; and Guest of Honor Philip Treacy, milliner.

At our last (brief) symposium with Jean Paul Gaultier, students were delighted with stories from the designers’ years at the forefront of fashion – and we can only hope for more of the same with our awe-inspiring guests!

WHAT: School of Fashion Symposium with Guests of Honor

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2nd at 9:30 AM

WHERE: Morgan Auditorium – 491 Post Street

Follow the jump for a few amazing videos featuring our Guests of Honor – just to hold you over until tomorrow! See more…

Illustration by Gladys Perint Palmer.

We are just one week away from the Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony – and we’ve got some other amazing events lined up to kick off the festivities! Be sure to mark your calendars for the following events – you definitely don’t want to miss them.

Monday, April 30^th
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Trend Union Fall / Winter 2013-2014
St. Brigid Church – 2151 Van Ness Avenue
Trend Union presents their forecast of fashion and style trends for Fall/Winter 2013-2014. The presentation will detail silhouettes, colors, patterns, and lifestyles for the season. Academy of Art University ID is required for admittance.

Wednesday, May 2^nd
9:30 – 11:00 AM
School of Fashion Symposium with Guests of Honor
Morgan Auditorium – 491 Post Street
Gladys Perint Palmer, Executive Director, hosts a discussion and Q&A with Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the Academy of Art University; Simon Ungless, Director of the School of Fashion; Guest of Honor Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen; and Guest of Honor Philip Treacy, milliner.

Thursday, May 3^rd
3:00 – 4:00 PM
University Friends and Family Fashion Show
The Cannery – 2801 Leavenworth Street
The University Friends and Family Fashion Show, hosted by the School of Fashion, is open to all students and faculty from the Academy of Art University. Transportation is available through University shuttles.

Photo Courtesy of Caro Ramirez.

Yesterday, Jean Paul Gaultier visited the School of Fashion, creating what can only be described as a fashion frenzy. Students started filling up the building well before the 2:00 PM call time, all trying to stake out the best spots for his arrival. And when he did arrive, quite promptly actually – especially for fashion standards – students could not have been more excited. “It’s like we have royalty here,” Dr. Stephens said at one point, and in a way we kind of did – fashion royalty at least.

Gladys Perint Palmer talks about the magic of fashion with Jean Paul Gaultier. Photo Courtesy of FSD.

As he entered the atrium, students cheered wildly and everyone was snapping away on their smartphones – suffice it to say that the Twitterverse (and Instagram) lit up with JPG tweets and pics from the hundreds of students who were gathered. During the brief presentation, School of Fashion Executive Director Gladys Perint Palmer asked him to reflect on true creativity in fashion – how to harness it and make sure it survives. His reply came from the heart, “The most important thing in life is to have love – it has to be your passion.” He spoke of the need for originality as well: “When you do something different – people are surprised and they appreciate it. There is no point in doing something someone else has done.” He also talked about his grandmother, who sparked his interest in fashion at a young age and was a constant inspiration: “She taught me that you could say something through your dress, your hair and make-up. And that is what I try to do – to speak through the clothes.” Academy of Art University President, Dr. Elisa Stephens, presented Monsieur Gaultier with an Honorary Doctorate, which elicited a huge smile from the designer, “I never went to art school – I’m very happy. This is a big, big, big compliment.”

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On Thursday, School of Fashion Executive Director Gladys Perint Palmer gave a presentation on fashion inspired by her recent travels to London, Paris, Istanbul, and other parts of Turkey. She had some amazing pictures from her travels to Turkey – gorgeous jewels that belonged to the former Grand Vizier, beautiful woven carpets, and intricate patterned tiles. It seems there is beauty everywhere you turn in Turkey – and some irony, too. Genuine fake watches at the bazaar?

One of GPP’s drawings of a Maharaja’s gold belt adorned with emeralds.

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Illustration by Gladys Perint Palmer. From Gaultier Spring/Summer ’12 Haute Couture.

Just wanted to remind you all that there are two very important events happening tomorrow!

First, Unpicking Fashion, a presentation by School of Fashion Executive Director Gladys Perint Palmer on the fashion industry past, present, and future, inspired by her recent travels to London, Paris, Instanbul, and parts of Turkey. She will also have a conversation with Academy of Art University President Dr. Elisa Stephens and School of Fashion Director Simon Ungless on the evolution of the University and specifically the School of Fashion.

WHAT: School of Fashion presentation – Unpicking Fashion

WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday – February 16th at 9:30 AM

WHERE: Morgan Auditorium, 491 Post Street

And second, the student fashion club, Beyond the Front Row, is having their first general meeting! Beyond the Front Row (BtFR) is for students at the Academy of Art University who are either enrolled in the School of Fashion, or who simply have an interest in fashion and want to gain insight into and connect with the industry. It is a social club with a strong emphasis on peer networking and volunteerism at charitable and fashion-related events.

WHAT: Beyond the Front Row First General Meeting of the Spring Semester

WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday – February 16th, 6:30 PM

WHERE: 625 Polk Street, Room 201

Please join us for a conversation between Academy of Art University President Elisa Stephens, School of Fashion Executive Director Gladys Perint Palmer, and School of Fashion Director Simon Ungless – as they discuss the origin and mission of the university and the rise and growth of School of Fashion.

Gladys Perint Palmer will also take us on a visual journey through the history of fashion inspired by her travels to London, Paris, Istanbul, and other parts of Turkey – where East truly meets West. She will delve into the global nature of fashion and the ways in which designers re-interpret concepts rooted in Old World ideas. Additionally, she will discuss her unusual involvement in a new fashion film, We’ll Take Manhattan, as well as show highlights from the Academy of Art University Fall ’12 Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

All Academy of Art University students and faculty are encouraged to attend!

Academy of Art University President Elisa Stephens, Design Icon Award Recipient Dakota Jackson, and School of Interior Architecture & Design Executive Director Laura Blumenfeld

Last night, the School of Interior Architecture and Design hosted their first annual Winter Show. The evening showcased student work and honored famed Interior Architect, Dakota Jackson. Jackson is known for his whimsical yet architectural designs, creating beautiful furniture that reflects true artistry and craftsmanship. Dr. Elisa Stephens presented Jackson with the School’s first Design Icon Award, for his commitment to design excellence and innovation throughout his impressive career. “Dakota Jackson’s work and unique perspective are a constant inspiration to our students as they prepare for careers in design,” said Dr. Stephens.

Executive Director of the School of Interior Architecture and Design, Laura Blumenfeld, was very excited about Jackson’s visit, saying, “This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn from one of our industry’s most revered design professionals – he really is a design icon.” Jackson spoke about the history of furniture design and his career in the industry, offering inspiration to the design students and even quoting Bob Dylan. The evening was absolutely wonderful, and everyone at the Academy of Art University was truly honored to bestow the Design Icon Award upon such a talented and creative individual.

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Gladys Perint Palmer took some snapshots of Friday night’s Mexico 2010 — and we thought we would share them with you…

What is Maria Korovilas looking at?

The back of her beautiful dress, seen also in New York on September 10th. Tambour beading from Robert Haven‘s class.

And now with President Dr. Elisa Stephens. Where? The de Young Museum at the Mexican celebration.