At the end of May, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia hosted its highly anticipated 2017 graduation show in the open-air courtyard of the SCAD Museum of Art. As expected from a prestigious design school, the year-end thesis collections were rich in whimsy and concept, showcasing remarkable creativity and technical skill. In front of a delighted audience of faculty, friends, and family, 120 looks from 43 graduating seniors graced the runway, celebrating four years of academic achievement and providing a glimpse into the future of fashion.
Among the highlights, Alexandra Pijut drew inspiration from dream analysis and the subconscious, creating pieces meant to transition seamlessly from day to night. Zimo Yan from China delved into the interactivity between the wearer and the garment, envisioning “a world where you can control garments with your senses, emotions, and movements.” Greg Dugdale found a more playful muse in a Chindi ball of yarn he discovered in a market, stating, “I started unwinding the ball and creating samples with the yarn. The bright colors and textures bring my designs to life.”
SCAD, a leading design institution with campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France, is renowned for its holistic approach that integrates design and marketing, technique and history, imagination, and career preparation. Graduating SCAD fashion students had access to the university’s revolving Style Lab mentor program, which this year featured mentors like Francisco Costa (formerly of Calvin Klein), David Ruperto (senior director of Ralph Lauren footwear), and SCAD alumnus and designer Marv Graff. Among the attendees was the energetic Miss J Alexander from America’s Next Top Model, who coached the student models on their runway walks.
The runway show marked the culmination of the inaugural SCAD FASHWKND, a four-day event showcasing original works from senior apparel and accessory collections. Embracing the ‘see now, buy now’ trend, guests could purchase select pieces created by SCAD alumni. Following the weekend, the runway looks were reimagined in vignette form for SCAD’s Atlanta community, where image-maker David LaChapelle received the SCAD étoile Award in recognition of his impact on fashion, film, and photography.