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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Suzy Menkes, Cathy Horyn, and Paul Wilner.

On Thursday May 3rd, The Academy of Art University had the pleasure of hosting a lecture by two of the fashion world’s top journalists: Suzy Menkes, Fashion Editor of The International Herald Tribune and Cathy Horyn, Fashion Critic for The New York Times. Both women have well-established careers and are at the top of their field. School of Fashion Executive Director Gladys Perint Palmer introduced the pair, and Journalism Coordinator Paul Wilner moderated a panel discussion by the legendary journalists, who offered plenty of advice to a room full of fashion students.

Both women were very approachable, answered questions in an unpretentious manner, and provided insightful information about their successful careers. Menkes was instantly recognizable sporting her signature hairdo: one pin curl set at the top of her short brown hair. She brought a British charm, wearing minimal makeup and a few subtle pieces of jewelry. She donned a purple blazer and top, navy trousers, purple suede shoes that tied into a bow in front, and even matching purple socks.

Horyn had a laid-back look consisting of a black three-quarter-sleeved top, blue paisley printed pants and brown leather loafers. Her short brown hair was kept simple and she had minimal accessories; a small silver watch, and square gold and green ring.

Menkes spoke about her early aspirations to become a writer and how she handcrafted her first newspaper at the age of five. She always had an interest in fashion and studied dressmaking in Paris as a teenager. She worked on her school newspaper at Cambridge University and later landed a position at The Times, a daily British national newspaper.

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Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, and Philip Treacy, milliner.

We hope you already know who they are – but in case you’ve been living under a rock the past month – we’re so excited to re-announce our 2012 Guests of Honor! We have a seriously amazing line-up this year: 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 which operate Harvey Nichols Department Stores, Donna Karan, and DKNY stores in Saudi Arabia.

Also joining us for the 2012 Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony will be 2010 Guest of Honor Suzy Menkes, OBE, fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune, and 2011 Guest of Honor Cathy Horyn, fashion critic for The New York Times. As well as Stephan Rabimov, editor-in-chief of Depesha, and Jayne Seward, fashion editor of California Apparel News.

Check Fashion School Daily all week long for bios, photos, videos and more – and get excited to meet our guests during all of the fashion show events!

We already posted a recap of A Conversation with Jean Paul Gaultier and Suzy Menkes at the De Young Museum, but now you can watch it! The conversation, which was presented in conjunction with the grand opening of the exhibit, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, highlighted defining moments in the designer’s life and career. They also discussed the remarkable exhibit, which truly takes the idea of a retrospective exhibit to a whole other level. It will be on display until August 19th!

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On Saturday, the De Young Museum hosted a conversation between Jean Paul Gaultier and fashion journalist Suzy Menkes, in honor of the opening of the designer’s exhibit The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. “Jean Paul Gaultier is one of the funniest, most talented, wittiest, and funkiest fashion designers I know,” Menkes began. The only thing we might add to the list: most charming – he really is wonderful to talk to, which we learned during his visit to the School of Fashion.

During the hour and half discussion, Suzy touched on everything from his early love of fashion inspired by the Folies Bergère, to his work with Madonna, and the business side of fashion that is seldom discussed. She was quick to point out how deserving Jean Paul was of the exhibition, saying, “I’d just like to start with something a little bit more serious. In fashion, the real reason that people last – and when it comes to Jean Paul Gaultier is probably talked about the least – is the technique, the skill, the handwork, the knowledge. Sometimes it gets buried underneath the fantasies of the clothes, but if you look hard, you will see the extraordinary craftsmanship.” And it is so true – going through the exhibition, you are able to see the intense attention to detail and all of the hard work – particularly when looking at the couture gowns.

When asked about his early years, creating the corsets and dressing Madonna, Jean Paul cited his mother and grandmother as inspiration, who influenced him from a very young age. “They taught me how women were: strong, clever, human – and sometimes stronger than men. I realized very quickly that women were more interesting and maybe even more clever.” And he sought to portray that through the clothing – it was not about sexualizing women, but about showing their power. He spoke of how much he enjoyed working with Madge – they had similar ideas and wanted to say the same things. He also confessed that the original cone bra was worn not by Madonna, but by his teddy bear, Nana, who had a cone bra made of newspaper, which you can see in the exhibition.

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Cathy Horyn intervewing Alexander McQueen Creative Director Sarah Burton. Photo Courtesy of Nowness.

Welcome back – we hope you are all looking forward to the Spring semester! As you begin your new classes and embark on exciting adventures, we want to remind you to let us know about all of the amazing things that you’re working on! If you have a class project that you’re really proud of, or something you’re working on outside of school, email us for a chance to be featured!

Additionally, we want to encourage all of our students to write for Fashion School Daily! Think of it as a platform to hone your skills and write about the exciting worlds of fashion, pop culture, San Francisco, New York, and beyond! If you dream of being the next Cathy Horyn, Suzy Menkes, or Hamish Bowles – this is your first step.

Please send any and all pitches to fashionschooldaily@gmail.com. Or, if you just want to send us your stories – and pictures – for consideration, you can do that too!

Looking forward to your submissions and good luck in the Spring Semester!

You can also keep up with the School of Fashion on Facebook and Twitter (@aaufashion).

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.

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.

Last week in New York, I visited the Bloomberg empire, at the invitation of Norman Pearlstine, Chairman of Bloomberg Businessweek, who had been at our show (and loved it).

After Bloomberg I went to Bloomingdale’s – one block away. There I bumped into Dawn Mello, the woman who hired Tom Ford to design Gucci in 1990.

Dawn Mello, posing with Gucci handbags & shoes in 1990. Photo credit: Ted Thai/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Leaning on a cane, the result of a year in and out of hospitals after being hit by a bicyclist, she asked, “Have you seen Tom’s show?”

When I started out as fashion editor at the (Hearst) Examiner, Ms. Mello was fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman.

One day in Milan, I rushed up to her in the street and barked a question – I was on deadline and needed a quote.

Ms. Mello, a tall elegant woman, trailed by her team, smiled, stood back and said, “Hello.”

I realized how rude I had been and learned my lesson. Now I always say hello first, then introduce yourself, then start barking.

From Bergdorf Goodman Ms. Mello went to Gucci, a tired and unsuccessful brand.

You can Google Tom Ford’s success at Gucci, his departure from Gucci, his career as a film director, his return to fashion.

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Gladys Perint Palmer continues her reports from her time in Paris. This time, she shares some pics from a little soiree given by a designer you may have heard about…

July 7, 2010

Valentino gives a party at the Château de Wideville — an hour outside Paris.

Château de Wideville

At night it’s pink

Follow the jump for more pictures — including some of Gwyneth (as in Paltrow).
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Kali Clark (from left), Johnny Aguilar, Suzy Menkes and Ashley Curley (Photo credit: Randy Brooke)

Students Kali Clark, Johnny Aguilar and Ashley Curley donned some Suzy Menkes-themed T shirts complete with the signature “Suzy swirl”. The three students made the shirts last week when the guest of honor visited the Academy of Art University.