Academy of Art University, San Francisco: MFA fashion graduates 2009

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Academy of Art University, San Francisco: MFA fashion graduates 2009

CASSIE FITZPATRICK, WGSN 10.11.09

MFA graduates from the San Francisco Academy of Art University recently showcased their
final collecections at New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. WGSN reports.
This season an edited selection of seven womenswear graduates got the chance to impress fashion
industry insiders at New York Fashion Week with their creative graduate collections. With a packed-out
front row including Suzy Menkes, Hilary Alexander and Diane von Furstenberg the pressure was on
for the soon-to-be graduates.
President of the University, Dr. Elisa Stephens, commented: "These designers have the incredible
opportunity of being part of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. We view this group showing
as the University's commitment to help launch the careers of our graduates."

Marina Nikolaeva Popska

Knitwear design graduate Marina Nikolaeva Popska kicked off proceedings with a sumptuously
feminine lightweight knit collection. Inspired by nature and the 'chaos' of colour, Popska created
softly unstructured silhouettes in an ethereal palette of duck egg blue and plaster pink. Jacquard
and intarsia techniques created a marbled and mottled texture, which married well with the delicate
colour choice.

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11/02/2010

Academy of Art University, San Francisco: MFA fashion graduates 2009

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Kara Sennett

Philanthropist Betty Freeman and painter David Hockney formed the unlikely design inspiration for Kara
Sennett's, retro-futuristic collection. Cool colour combinations highlighted precisely cut separates
while white panelling showed off Sennett's body-conscious shapes.

Brittney Major

With future plans to launch a career in pattern-making and technical design, Brittney Major flexed her
notable technical muscles with a brightly coloured collection of bold plaids. Using 'unconventional
preppy' as her inspiration, Major worked mismatched colour plaid over thigh-skimming buttondown
dresses and short shorts.

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11/02/2010

Academy of Art University, San Francisco: MFA fashion graduates 2009

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Amanda Cleary

Richelle Valenzuela

With an undergraduate degree in graphic design, Amanda Cleary used product packaging as her initial
design inspiration. Bonding black silk lurex to calendered cotton twill, Cleary created minimalistic
silhouettes which held a modern-day patchwork appeal.
Choosing to look beyond glitz and glitter, Richelle Valenzuela looked at gem-cutting and the many
facets of precious stones. Silk and organza complemented Valenzuela's intricate layers and structured
pleats. With powerful pattern-cutting remaining a dominant theme throughout his sophisticated
collection, an understated palette of gunmetal gray and slate blue demonstrated his mature approach
to design.

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Academy of Art University, San Francisco: MFA fashion graduates 2009

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Jie Pan

Jie Pan chose the theme of abstract painting to express her pattern-cutting skills. Working with
contrasting fabrics, Pan teamed horsehair with silk chiffon and natural linen with organza. Having
already interned at Anna Sui, Pan plans to work as a costume designer for the Hua Yi Performing
Group later on this year.

Sawamya Jomthepmala

Tapping into her Thai heritage, Sawamya Jomthepmala created origami-esque structured garments
replicating the details of Krathong (small boats made from banana leaves). Also taking her cues from
Thai religious imagery, Jomthepmala used traditional Buddhist temples as textile inspiration for her
abstract repeats.

Links
www.academyart.edu/fashion09ny.html

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Academy of Art University, San Francisco: MFA fashion graduates 2009

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www.academyart.edu
All runway photos by Randy Brookes

WGSN 2009

http://www.wgsn.com/members/generation-now/reports/gn2009nov10_089848

11/02/2010