The School of Fashion at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco showed off (rightfully so-once again)-fashion collections of select students and recent grads-in a professionally staged runway to best highlight the talent and their winning ensembles.
We always like to get backstage early on-so we have a chance to meet some of the future industry leaders in the biz....
Gwen Shihyao Lai (M.F.A. Fashion Design) flirty and flowing/pleated "sunlight and fire" womenswear was inspired by nature---specifically citing- the tree bark paintings of Filipino artist, Thaddeus Ochoa Pagaduan...which came through in fabrics used---particularly the ikat print and faded (carefully bleached) materials (cotton, linen, silk).
 |
| a printed pointed button down collar l/s blouse- underneath completed the look of this burnout vest-bottom part is sheer --- looked great on the runway. |
 |
| stunning fabrics too-wedge booties worked perfectly with outfits |
 |
| Leslie Dilloway-matching liquid shimmery pant matches the tank- |
Opening the show was menswear designer Didvik Kuang...who cited Giorgio Armani's legendary American Gigolo wardrobe for actor Richard Gere---as influence-reinterpreted... his take was lounge wear influenced.
 |
| Button down shirt w/ double let pants-the one look with a matching tie...Didvik Kuang |
 |
| Marine Rongrong Wei-made this fabric too! |
Marine Rongrong Wei (BFA Menswear Design) took vintage inspired- crafted clothing circa 1930's as her point of thought...for what seemed to us to be a very comfy to wear collection of oversized silhouettes. A mix of textures kept things interesting too...and reminded us of all those voluminous shapes we are seeing for womenswear (coats+trousers) this Fall 2013...vs men's clothing that seems to be more fitted/schoolboy looking-at least on the runways.
 |
| sculpted jacket-hint of moto...we'd pair with jeans... |
 |
| hand knit |
 |
| we call these knits-retail ready! |
 |
| M.F.A.-ers-Winbo Shiau (l) personally selected by fashion giants Max+ Lubov Azria for an LA based deign internship-with Shanshan Bai (r) winner of both 2013 Four Seasons Hotel Uniform Design Competition + Sea Fashion Challenge. |
 |
| close-up of knits- |
 |
| Nika Tang (MFA Fashion Design)-inverted triangle silhouettes-courtesy of ruffles---with macramé details-a big wow! |
 |
| hand beaded detail close-up---aka "caviar eggs" |
Ryan Morar (BFA-Menswear Design) collaborated with Melissa Avalos-a textile design BFA for this colorful outing of guy clothes that referenced Robert Rauschenberg's "Combines" mixed media artwork ---as well as those always hip sounds of Sonic Youth and Beat Happening albums. Impressive- since he probably wasn't even born yet-when those tunes dropped.
 |
| Ryan Motarthis printed jacket-multi-process-he told us-actually sand papered for texture |
 |
| manning the presses |
 |
| Ryan Morar steams out his wares |
 |
| look board... |
 |
| backstage staples |
 |
| Jon Reyman for beauty VT™-had the wigs/ extensions going-for a punky 70's/80's vibe. A waaay cleaner version of it if our memory serves us right lol. |
 |
| we always like to offer home styling tips---but when it comes to clip-in extensions-other than bangs-get help. |
 |
| gals with naturally long hair-blow-dry slick straight |
 |
| final look |
 |
| manicurist own---half moon with textured gold/sheer pink |
 |
| soft smokey eye... |
 |
| neat but fully loaded-the brush kit alone offers up every shape ever. |
 |
| JANESSA PARE for Aveda used SPRING 2014 shimmery soft pastel shadows to soften up the smokey eye...the Berry lip glaze was used for a stained lip, Very pretty. |
 |
| Janessa Pare for Aveda |
In the main lobby-prior to the SUNO fashion show-we saw this tall guy who we figured for an NBAer from a local team. This is how a guy should rock the latest looks-we thought-with clothes that fit perfectly. As it turned out-this is Tyson Chandler-Knicks center...who probably would have appreciated the AAU show too.
 |
| NY KNICKS CENTER TYSON CHANDLER-in lobby |
 |
| Tyson Chandler- |