2021 Graduating Student Exhibition Submissions

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Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Yixuan Wang
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Image 1: My collection is inspired by red tides, an ocean phenomenon. It is a marine disaster referring to the sudden proliferation and aggregation of certain tiny phytoplankton, protozoa, or bacteria in the marine water body under certain environmental conditions. This causes the water body to change color within a certain range.
Thesis Collection: Boundaries

Thesis Collection: Boundaries

Hannah Shores
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
As a designer, I have always been inspired by the way clothing can have so much beauty, while also having so much intention. I design with the intention to break away from my own comfort zones, and to consistently work toward an evolution of self-exploration. I design because it is my outlet to express my genuine self, and because I am incredibly astounded by the ability clothing has to make a person feel completely and unapologetically themselves.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Jingyuan Ren
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Image 1: This collection is inspired by art and natural elements, with artistic construction and organic fabric manipulation. Combined sportswear and eveningwear elements create a new look for modern women. Some elements are detachable for wearing to different occasions.
Thesis Collection: Adrena--The Monster in the Mirror

Thesis Collection: Adrena--The Monster in the Mirror

Steven Panoncillo
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
My design is driven by my identity. I have been a drag queen for almost six years now, so I owe my creativity and basic understanding of garment creation to my drag persona. The duality between myself and my alter ego drives me to combine boldness, beauty, and camp, with wearability and mainstream appeal.
Thesis Collection: Collection GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein)

Thesis Collection: Collection GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein)

Emily Omesi
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Ever since I was very young, I would say I wanted to be a fashion designer. When I turned 15 my mother gifted me my first sewing machine, and I have used this tool every day since. Fashion and creating are truly my favorite activities and my entire life. I am a very focused and self-driven person and student – I am always aiming to better my craft and learn as much as possible. I chose sportswear as my concentration as it is the most diverse variation of fashion; there is active-wear, high-end sportswear, streetwear, knits, etc. I would describe my aesthetic as modern-sporty-tailored silhouettes, with elements of couture techniques and embellishments. I am drawn to interesting seams and organic forms.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Kenny Naranjo Aguirre
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I was born and raised in a small town in Colombia, where a career in design was more of a fairytale than reality. I spent most of my childhood drawing and coloring under my father's influence. When he gifted me a DVD compilation of Madonna's greatest videos, I knew that creating and aiding people in the elements of their dreams was what I wanted to do. And that is why I chose fashion design, to connect individuals with their emotions and create worlds where everything is possible once you put on a certain garment. I chose sportswear because I felt it was the best specialization in which I could develop my ideas and explore what I had been developing, deciding which is the exaggeration of the body silhouette, and which is the magnetism and intense sensuality of that same body.
Thesis Collection: Distortion

Thesis Collection: Distortion

Esther Yitao Li
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
As a BFA student majoring in fashion design, specializing in sportswear at the Fashion Institute of Technology, fashion has always played an integral role in my life. I am always traveling and looking for inspiration and something to learn every day, wherever I go. My design process could be different for every project. I love being experimental and trying new ways of making clothes. I believe I am telling my story as an artist in the form of garments. I like exploring all the possibilities for my designs and put my best efforts into making them work.
Thesis Collection: Oceanside

Thesis Collection: Oceanside

Colette Laporta
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Image 1: The “Oceanside” collection is inspired by growing up on the Jersey Shore. This look evokes the natural formations of the ocean, and combines sporty unisex elements with feminine details.
Thesis Collection: Hidden Truth

Thesis Collection: Hidden Truth

Rebecca Kreamer
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I wanted to touch the clouds when I was younger. I had that feeling when I started my fashion odyssey–the feeling of making clothes induced adrenaline in my veins and a happiness that I could not contain. My upbringing had a lot to do with the things I make now; I had to grow up quickly and didn't have much time to enjoy my childhood. Because of this, my design aesthetic tends to be more childlike, weaving explosions of bright colors and big embellishments into each bold design. Feeling like an outsider made me want to make clothes for all types of people, especially the underdog. I chose sportswear because it is not just for one type of person, it's for people like me, just as much as it is for anyone else. The inclusivity of sportswear made me feel at home, just like touching the clouds.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Megan Hollister
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Coming from a very small town and being very shy, design was a way to show who I was and express myself. I taught myself how to sew and I would create my own clothes to wear to school using very elegant fabrics. I have used my time at FIT to take the Haute Couture certificate program and use what I have learned in those courses in all of my designs. My designs and ideas are very unique, always looking for a way to take a design and make it sophisticated and elegant while adding in Haute Couture principles such as embellishments or construction details. My career aspiration is Haute Couture evening wear and bridal design.
Thesis Collection: Expression of Intersectionalities

Thesis Collection: Expression of Intersectionalities

Mariana Gomez-Navarro
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
In second grade I woke up one day with the idea of an off the shoulder ball gown, and that was the exact day I began to design clothes. My grandmother was a designer in Costa Rica and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I chose sportswear because I feel that I can best express my ideas through this specialization. It allows me to design with structure as well as fluidity. I like to use personal experiences to help inspire me in my design process. Being an immigrant has helped shape my design aesthetic. I like to mix workwear with business attire, as well as designing without the restrictions that gender provides. Representation is important to me, and through my designs I feel that I tell my story as a Latinx immigrant, and my hope is that other Latinx immigrants will be able to see themselves represented through my work.
Thesis Collection: Eight

Thesis Collection: Eight

Briana Goewert
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I am designing to be a part of the change in the fashion industry. The overconsumption of fast fashion is exhausting brands, consumers, and the environment. My goal is to push the boundaries of slow fashion by seamlessly combining timeless simplicity with complexity. My focus is multifunctional sustainable pieces, that can be worn not only forever, but for many purposes.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Aryam Colón Pérez
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Image 1: Inspired by grandma's garden in Puerto Rico, childhood boldness, and a desire to bring color to New York City. This collection is a clash of patterns and silhouettes that are versatile and interchangeable.
Thesis Collection: Cigarra

Thesis Collection: Cigarra

Kenneth Robin Andrada Espinosa
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Having moved to the United States from the Philippines, I graduated high school early in Houston, Texas, and then pursued nursing school in Dallas, Texas. However, I discovered that I did not have a passion for nursing. I continued my college career pursuing fashion design, assuring my parents that my talents would one day make them proud. My love for my craft has always been the fuel to keep pursuing my dreams. Though it could be exhausting at times, I always managed to find the silver lining in difficult situations. In the last few years, I have dedicated myself to mastering my craftsmanship and honing my skills, focusing on how I could become one of the great design visionaries such as Cristobal Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior. One day I aspire to become a creative director where I can share my vision, passion, and love for the arts.
Thesis Collection: La Pelea Civil

Thesis Collection: La Pelea Civil

Arly Amaya
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I was always an artistic individual, but never felt I could create a career from my art. It was through the encouragement of my mom that I decided to go into fashion design. Looking back now I realize what led me to this day. When I learned to sew for my application, I instantly fell in love and gained an appreciation for garment construction and design. Sportswear allowed me to continue perfecting my craft in construction, patternmaking, and developing my design aesthetic. Unlike others who have already established their aesthetic, I am still working on finding mine. My experiences in life heavily inspire my work, but I try not to limit myself when I design. I do, however, create pieces to make women feel confident and appreciate a well-made garment. I consider myself a fashion designer, maker, and seamstress, and someday I hope to become a successful small business owner.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Sara Alipour
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
In 2015 I moved to the United States with big aspirations, dreams and hopes since I come from a country where I wasn't able to follow my goals. I graduated in metallurgical engineering in Tehran just to realize that engineering doesn't meet my ambitions. When I was 11 years old, I designed my own gown for my brother's wedding; I sketched it, picked a fabric, and had it sewn by a tailor. That's how it all started – I was very passionate about the arts, especially fashion design. Hence, I decided in 2016 to apply to FIT, my dream university, to get a fashion design degree. Seeing my imagination in real life and being able to create something that only exists in my mind is always joyful and makes me proud of myself. I chose sportswear as my specialization because it gives me a wide range of design possibilities so I don't have to limit myself. To me, sportswear tastes like freedom!
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Qingyi Zhou
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
From a very young age, I have found art and design so very interesting. I became fascinated by fashion later on and when I was ten years old, I decided that I wanted to be a fashion designer. What is most important to me as a designer is to make the garment beyond functional. As a result, I chose to specialize in sportswear, for it is a category full of possibilities, but at the same time practical. I believe fashion is a way of expressing ourselves, an element of building our lifestyle, and an approach to a more ideal life. Instead of focusing on the trend, I want to pay more attention to helping my customers discover their unique personalities, the personal meaning clothes can bring to them, and the fun of being themselves.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Tsz Tung Yeung
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Image 1: Fragile top connected with drawstrings at the back, with a piece of jade. It reveals how society treats women unfairly; wanting them to look pretty and full of fantasy.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Jingwen Xuan
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
Image 1: The lightweight and water-repellent parka blurs the line between the daytime wear of a career professional, yet stylish for an evening party. It combines a tyvek shell with detachable sleeves and an organza layer revealed by a leather piece, which can be worn as a skirt or a strapless dress separately.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Xueyi Wang
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I started my journey as a fashion design major and chose sportswear because I personally think it can show a person's ideas and their charm well. A person's mood and character will be displayed in the dress. You don't need a language to show yourself to the outside world. My mother is a men's clothing brand agent and she took me to various brands' order meetings at an early age. This has had a great impact on my designs. I don't think design should be gendered, so most of the time I design them from a neutral perspective. The design concept I want to convey is simple but not boring, artistic but practical.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Ilene Rodriguez-Delarosa
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I have always been able to think creatively and outside the box. When I started college as a fashion design major, I was pretty much lost. But throughout my four years, I can honestly say that I know who I am, not just as a designer but as a person. My designs over this period reflect my growth, aesthetically and mentally. I describe my aesthetic as minimalistic luxury with a dash of essential and cool comfort. This reflects my personality; very down to earth and laid back, yet here to claim all my divine goodness! Designing for me is freeing and fun. It is such a good feeling knowing you designed something that was authentically you. Over the years, it's become very personal to me. I don't design just for me, I design for those who support me and continue to believe in me, which drives me to keep going.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Jiayu Lin
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I have a taste for discovering unusual things in the world. These unusual things inspire me to think boldly and not be trapped in a defined world. In my opinion, an object doesn't have only one definition. Instead, each object is multi-faced. I'm obsessed with making unconventional things be my inspiration. Discovering its different aspects and blending that into my philosophies. My audience will have more than one feeling when they see my collections. In my aesthetic, I am pursuing a perfect balance between sophisticated sexiness and playful innocence. The silhouettes show modern lifestyle and femininity, the structures present sensuality, and the details project novelty. My collections show cute youth in a seductive and elegant way.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Zixin Li
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
A fashion designer is both an artist and an engineer. The design process requires elaborate visuals and expressive emotions that evoke empathy of the target customer. Living in New York City, I have the opportunity to observe a diverse group of women, their outfits, their expressions, and their products. I am interested in sportswear design and I hope to express an image of the modern independent woman. Hoping that my designs will make women feel comfortable in their daily lives, my portfolio collection was to be an external expression of their inner-self. I explored the aesthetic element from researching art and film and applied it to my designs. In my portfolio, I worked with structured fabrics to develop various suits and jackets. I also layered different pieces together to provide the ability of mixing-and-matching between looks in the collection. I value functionality and comfort in fashion in addition to style.
Thesis Collection

Thesis Collection

Hao-Yun Hsieh
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I came from Taiwan, a nation surrounded by ocean with land that's smaller than half of New York State in size. I am drawn to the diverse and vibrant culture of New York City, a place where I express myself most freely with constant inspiration from people who are both energetic and the most heartfelt at the same time. To me, fashion is not merely about looking good, but a deliberate tool to demonstrate our best self mentally. In my thesis collection, I explore various design elements from fine art, architecture, and psychology through a perspective that's influenced by both Eastern aesthetic and New York expressionism.
Thesis Collection: I Am the Black Woman

Thesis Collection: I Am the Black Woman

Ruth Headlam
  • 2021
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Video
  • Womenswear
  • Sportswear
I was born in Jamaica, a Caribbean island nation, but grew up in the British Virgin Islands where I was exposed to art and design. I found myself interested in art when I was around four or five years old, but it wasn't until I was in high school, when I realized that I enjoyed designing clothes. My unique perspective to design is that I enjoy telling stories and creating clothing that women can relate to. My aesthetic is a cross between alternative fashion and Afrocentric fashion in the United States and the Caribbean.