2024 Future of Fashion

2024 Future of Fashion

Lisbeth Abreu, Allison Affenita, Corinna Baker, Nazera Bhavnagari, Abigail Black, Liora Brainson, Kaitlyn Celeste, Emily Eanae Cha, Stella (Yea Eun) Cha, Keyue Chen, Nuo Cheng, Grace Cooper, Irene Alexandra Cubides-Morales, Anoushka Das, Kylee Davis, Ryan DePaolo, Tamera Dorcinville, Katherine Dunne, Chloe Franzen, Tiffany Gaffney, Omer Gal, Leticia Galbis, Mariela Garcia Castro, Sergio Garcia, Fiona Geraghty, Amaris Gonzalez, Nicole Gramcko, Riley Grossman, Benjamin Halunen, Madeline Hausner, Yunseo Heo, Zihan Hong, Zhiman Huang, Sofie Hultbom, Neslihan Ezgi Kavakkoru, Vasilisa Khilko, HanGyeol Kim, JuYeon Kim, Namwoo Kim, Everett Landers, Eleonora Legawa, Duncan Livingston, Andrea Maris, Sophia Martinez, Olivia Masters, Karen Mibu, Yoojin Min, Shaghayegh Mouradzadegun, Hayden Mullikin, Mai Nanao, Hunter Oh, Sunghye Park, Bianca Pasello, Natalie Pitillo, Ashley Plasse, Yilei Qian, Kimberly Rambarran, Xinyue Rao, Kathyana Rodriguez Collado, Julia Rutherford, Lauren Salvia, Mookie Sauers, Bridgette Schaeffer, Kea Oudom Seng, Stephanie She, Amanda Spiegel, Ava Torley, Panayiota Tsahalis, Tamia Veras, Rachel Wernher, Sarah Widmann, Jada Wilkerson, Esther Young and Jingshu Yun
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Video
  • Fashion shows
The Future of Fashion runway show, presented by Macy’s, dazzled guests at The Glasshouse on Wednesday, May 8. The show featured designs created by a select group of 73 graduates in the class of 2024 in FIT’s Fashion Design BFA program.
The work of these students, who started at FIT near the beginning of the pandemic, pushes the boundaries of creativity. Their thesis designs feature dragons, themes of interconnectivity, and sustainable materials. Embellishments include beaded, knitted fringe; dip-dyed ombre; bright orange faux fur; and much more.
Students across all five specializations—children’s wear, intimate apparel, knitwear, special occasion, and sportswear—brought vibrant color and texture to their innovative fashions. Hairstyling for the models in the show was provided by Bumble & Bumble, makeup services by Dior Beauty.
Thirteen of the designers won Critic Awards, given each year by the renowned industry mentors who work alongside students in their final semester. Each critic is a leader in one of the Fashion Design program’s areas of specialization; many are alumni of the program. Find detailed bios of our critics on the Future of Fashion website at fitnyc.edu/future.
Future of Fashion Show 2024 Back Stage

Future of Fashion Show 2024 Back Stage

  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
Images from 2024 Future of Fashion Show backstage.
Future of Fashion Show 2024 Closing Scenes

Future of Fashion Show 2024 Closing Scenes

  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
The Future of Fashion runway show, presented by Macy’s, dazzled guests at The Glasshouse on Wednesday, May 8. The show featured designs created by a select group of 73 graduates in the class of 2024 in FIT’s Fashion Design BFA program.
The work of these students, who started at FIT near the beginning of the pandemic, pushes the boundaries of creativity. Their thesis designs feature dragons, themes of interconnectivity, and sustainable materials. Embellishments include beaded, knitted fringe; dip-dyed ombre; bright orange faux fur; and much more.
Students across all five specializations—children’s wear, intimate apparel, knitwear, special occasion, and sportswear—brought vibrant color and texture to their innovative fashions. Hairstyling for the models in the show was provided by Bumble & Bumble, makeup services by Dior Beauty.
Thirteen of the designers won Critic Awards, given each year by the renowned industry mentors who work alongside students in their final semester. Each critic is a leader in one of the Fashion Design program’s areas of specialization; many are alumni of the program. Find detailed bios of our critics on the Future of Fashion website at fitnyc.edu/future.
Aren’t We Alike

Aren’t We Alike

Keyue Chen
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
  • Award winners
Under a microscope, some human cells and tissues resemble plants. Human lip tissue looks like the petals of roses. The iris of the human eye resembles a dandelion. Breast tissue is similar to a hyacinth. Humans and plants have more connection than one thinks. Aren’t we just alike? This collection draws inspiration from the fascinating shapes and structures observed in microscopic images, expressing the connection between humans and plants.
Nostalagia of Childhood

Nostalagia of Childhood

Stella (Yea Eun) Cha
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
My design is inspired by a special memory of making a blanket fort. Opting for a patchwork design, I aimed to capture the intricate pattern of the blanket. By blending vibrant colors and shiny accents reminiscent of my princess play, I evoke a dreamy nostalgia of my childhood.
Under Myself

Under Myself

Zihan Hong
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
I dissected my body. I made new flesh and spirit. I set me free. Gender, identity, family, career, community. Reconstruct the definition of everything. Who am I? What do I want? I try to find it, find me behind reality. Living in emotional and spiritual. Living like a real character.
Roots

Roots

Omer Gal
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
Roots are vital for plants, anchoring them and absorbing nutrients. They also carry symbolic meaning, representing stability and heritage. Moving to New York sparked a longing for my own roots, blending my Israeli heritage with the urban energy. Through my art, I find harmony between nature and city life, symbolizing resilience and a sense of belonging.
Sublime Mustard

Sublime Mustard

Vasilisa Khilko
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
The essence of my senior thesis project is inspired by the intriguing contrast between bold textures and their delicate, finer counterparts. The design incorporates Irish crochet elements, an homage to the traditional lace-making technique. The color palette is inspired by the muted elegance of mustard gold, evoking a sense of understated luxury. The cornerstone of my ensemble is the harmonious blend of elegance and comfort.
2024, Dragon

2024, Dragon

Zhiman Huang
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
My collection blends Chinese dragon symbolism with innovative 3D printing, spotlighting the dragon's sinuous silhouette and fluidity. My designs transform traditional motifs into modern wearable art, emphasizing graceful contours and dynamic dragon-like forms. 3D technology enables complex, sculptural fashion pieces that mix art, tech, and culture, redefining fashion through the dragon's elegance and power.
Imagine

Imagine

Anoushka Das
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
Imagine is a project inspired by the art and doodles I used to do as a kid. I’m reimagining these doodles and turning them into evening-wear couture. I’m borrowing color, the organic fluidity of lines, and the use of negative space. I want to capture the essence of hand drawing and painting’s organic shape and line. There are also nods to my culture in the fabric and style lines, so this project is very personal to me.
Enchanted Dawn

Enchanted Dawn

Esther Young
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
Enchanted Dawn celebrates the femininity and grace of every woman. It is inspired by the classic love story of Daphne and Apollo, an enduring symbol of man’s desire for something he cannot have and woman’s desire to stay true to herself and her purpose. This collection reflects that, the embodiment of an elegant woman who remains true to herself despite the external influences of the world.
Wilting Beauty

Wilting Beauty

Kea Oudom Seng
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
  • Award winners
My collection was inspired by dead flowers. I was walking around the city and saw a lady with a basket of dried flowers that looked like they didn't have enough water and sunlight. In my mind, I started to think of the seeds in them that will grow into a new life. Looking at those flowers gave me hope and energized me to fight for the next day. I poured that same energy into this collection.
Mosaic

Mosaic

Fiona Geraghty
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
Who we are today is different from yesterday, last year, or decades ago. Tomorrow, again we evolve. Made, modified, and matured by experiences, people, and places. My thesis honors those who have nurtured, encouraged, challenged, and supported me. Boldly using past project materials and techniques, I have highlighted, through colors, forms, and contrast, that our ambitions, aesthetics, and emotions are all traceable to unique and personal origins. I am mosaic. We are Mosaic. This is Mosaic.
Lotus Whisper

Lotus Whisper

Jingshu Yun
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
My collection seamlessly blends feminine strength and softness, drawing inspiration from the Chinese water lily for its symbolism of growth and resilience. Incorporating elements of the folding fan signifies strength and power, creating a design that celebrates the multifaceted nature of women, encouraging them to embrace their inner strength with grace and resilience.
Lago di Vetro

Lago di Vetro

Natalie Pitillo
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
This collection showcases a blend of airy light fabrics and cool cut sea glass to create an elegant garment. Each piece of sea glass was carefully selected and strategically placed in each look.
Pressure

Pressure

Sofie Hultbom
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
  • Award winners
Pressure calls attention to the unrealistic expectations that society puts on women through time and the pressure to achieve perfection. Women are works of art and I intend to highlight the exceptional beauty of women. To avoid putting more pressure on our planet, Earth, I have only used waste clothing and scraps of waste fabrics, making my collection completely upcycled and repurposed. The fur is handmade by fringing different waste fabrics. Pressure represents the desire for perfection in every way.
Growing Roots

Growing Roots

Lisbeth Abreu
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Evening dresses (garments)
My family's immigration story is the inspiration for my design. The story is rooted in the struggles that women in my family endured as immigrants, paving the way for the opportunities I cherish today. The dress not only embodies my own narrative of growing up in New York City, but also magnifies theirs--our stories seamlessly fused and woven into the fabric of the person I am today. The designs of the prints are inspired by the mosaic patterns found in the New York City subway, patterns I've encountered countless times during my commutes. These patterns represent various aspects of my life in New York City, as well as the lives of the women in my family who were born and raised in the Dominican Republic, juxtaposing the urban and rural lifestyles that have shaped me. This piece demonstrates how far I've come as a designer and honors and celebrates the resilience of the strong women in my family.
Only Context Separates a Monster from a Woman

Only Context Separates a Monster from a Woman

Abigail Black
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Lingerie
A beautiful woman during the day, but an evil demon at night. Severing herself at the waist, she grows bat-like wings to hunt her next victim. The manananggal is a mythical creature from the Philippines. When the Spanish colonized the country, they used the lore to uphold their values, physically separating women from their reproductive organs and symbolically robbing them of power over their own body. This collection reframes and showcases the two stories of the manananggal—a devil and a woman.
Siren Song (Look 1 & 2)

Siren Song (Look 1 & 2)

Ryan DePaolo
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Lingerie
  • Award winners
This collection is about reclaiming the word siren, ridding it of negative connotations and returning power to the woman. Throughout history and popular culture, sirens have often been depicted as monstrous creatures, stripped of autonomy and reduced to their sex. To me, a siren is a woman who embraces her sexuality and femininity while still owning her power as an independent woman, free from the confines of societal expectations, and secure within her own being.
Charmer

Charmer

Kylee Davis
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Lingerie
Charmer is inspired by the story of Medusa and represents how something that's seen as a curse can transform into something beautiful. This collection also pays homage to my Chinese heritage, as I was born in the year of the snake. Lucky colors in Chinese culture, such as green and gold, are highlighted in this collection, exuding elegance and luxury.
Daughter of Pearl

Daughter of Pearl

Julia Rutherford
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Lingerie
My collection incorporates inspiration from natural pearls and vintage silhouettes and ribbons. My color pallet of pastels was drawn from French vintage silk ribbons that I discovered and worked into my first look, a traditional ribbon corset. I found inspiration in natural pearls of many unique shapes and colors and used these to embellish many of my pieces. The variability of natural pearls makes me appreciate the beauty and diversity in the natural world.
Finding Paradise
(Look 1 & 2)

Finding Paradise (Look 1 & 2)

Stephanie She
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Childrenswear
  • Award winners
Finding Paradise takes you on a journey of childhood curiosity filled with whimsical fantasy. It follows a little girl as she explores the mystical world she finds herself in, meeting a wonderful companion along the way. This collection is inspired by a blend of illustrations and animations that bring imagination to life.
Childhood

Childhood

Panayiota Tsahalis
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Childrenswear
This collection is inspired by my mother's childhood in Sweden in the 1970s. It merges 70s-inspired silhouettes with playful Swedish elements. The hand-knit pieces pay homage to the simplicity of Scandinavian life, taking us on a journey to the past through the whimsical side of childhood in Sweden.
Canvas (Look 1 & 2)

Canvas (Look 1 & 2)

Rachel Wernher
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Childrenswear
My thesis collection Canvas is inspired by the intersection of fine art and fashion design. The collection consists of two looks, featuring garments that are hand-painted with two of my original abstract paintings.
Pink Punk

Pink Punk

Kaitlyn Celeste
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Art and Design)
  • Image
  • Fashion shows
  • Childrenswear
The Pink Punk Collection acts as an homage to growing up in the 21st century, when every art form and subculture is at your fingertips. Taking inspiration from the punk scene of the 1970s and 1980s, the Pink Punk Collection mixes punk with the idea of girlhood, grappling with the meaning of femininity while bringing together hard and soft elements with a modern twist to create something new.