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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One of the best things about going to an art and design school is that you’re constantly surrounded by beauty and creativity – we love visiting the many Academy of Art University buildings, finding inspiration at every turn. And this month, there are some amazing exhibits at the Academy of Art University Galleries that you’re definitely going to want to check out!

625 Gallery presents Opaque Auras
625 Sutter at Mason

Opaque Auras is a collection of work by Academy of Art University alumna Jessica Slaymaker. Colors crash together, revealing a composition that is as much determined by the artist’s actions, as by the hand of gravity. It explores the depths of prismatic colors and metallic pigments, forever frozen beneath layers of resin.

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At the end of last semester, students in Judith Zimrin’s FSH 201 - Introduction to the Reclaimed Object, found discarded chairs and gave them a second life. They reclaimed, refurbished, and repurposed the chairs, turning them into creative works of art. The chairs are now on display at the Academy of Art University Gallery at The Cannery until February 29th. Be sure to stop by and check them out – just don’t sit down!

In process.

Jacqueline Michie – folding wood chair, carved with copper leaf.

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The Academy of Art University Galleries are debuting their newest exhibits this week! Starting Friday, you can see Bong-soo Koh’s Earth-inspired sculptures at the 625 Gallery, Barry Focha’s colorful paintings at the Cannery, and Michelle Drewes‘ stunning photography at the 688 Gallery. A visit to the gallery is the perfect afternoon activity for this cold weather – you can stay warm and be inspired!