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Beyond: Fashion Design MFA 2024 Graduate Showcase

Beyond: Fashion Design MFA 2024 Graduate Showcase

  • 2024-09-10
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Welcome to the culmination of our journey, BEYOND, where FIT Fashion Design MFA students from diverse backgrounds and cultures converge to redefine boundaries and celebrate unity in diversity. BEYOND explores the limitless possibilities where creativity knows no borders. Drawing inspiration from our unique heritages, each garment transcends traditional norms, embracing fluidity in silhouette, texture, and identity. Our collections are testament to the richness of our individual stories, woven together into a tapestry of innovation and inclusivity. We invite you to experience fashion that speaks a universal language of beauty and resilience — from the vibrant hues of South Asian embroidery to the minimalist elegance of Scandinavian lines — where every stitch tells a story of courage, heritage, and the boundless spirit of creativity that unites us all.
— FIT Fashion Design MFA Class of 2024
Harmonious Collision

Harmonious Collision

Ziling Dong
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Ziling Dong is a women’s wear designer whose specialty is finding harmony in contrast and conflict. Delicate insight often leads her into contradictory thoughts, prompting her to strive for a balance between reason and sensibility. Stylistically, she is influenced by the orderliness and fluidity of industrial aesthetics. Through exquisite and structured fabric, a minimalist silhouette, and the flowing divide, a feminine image of hardness and tenderness is created.
Smuggler

Smuggler

Yoon Seo Lee
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Yoon Seo Lee, a South Korean streetwear designer, finds inspiration in the overlooked details of everyday life and in the things that happen behind the scenes. She aims to uncover hidden narratives and spark connections through clothing. Her designs blend contrasting elements, embodying duality, and her innovative approach integrates 3D printing into garments and accessories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship.
Seika

Seika

Yixuan Apple Zhao
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Yixuan (Apple) Zhao wants to change the fashion industry to be more inclusive. Originally from Harbin, China, she has studied in North America since age 14, and her creative work combines all the cultures she has experienced and her fascination with fashion. With their emphasis on size, gender, and cultural inclusivity, her designs help others discover new identities.
Nebula

Nebula

Urvi Selarka
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Urvi Selarka is an Indian women’s wear designer. All her creations are a kaleidoscope of sensorial experiences. She is a 3D artist who fuses the worlds of art and fashion. Her work heavily involves innovative patternmaking and technical draping. And with their unconventional materials, Selarka’s designs take you on a journey through her creative universe.
Bubble Wrap

Bubble Wrap

Talia Abbe
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Talia Abbe, a native of New York, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in textile and fashion design with a certificate in entrepreneurship from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She then pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Abbe’s personal struggles with mental health inspired her to make a positive impact on others facing similar challenges. Her work centers around creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. While cognitive abstraction influences her prints, her voluminous designs and vibrant color palettes exude childlike playfulness.
East Meets West

East Meets West

Qi Yun
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Qi Yun is a fashion designer from Beijing based in New York. She studied fashion design for six years at the Fashion Institute of Technology. By integrating her cultural background and her understanding of fashion design, Qi’s designs tell unique stories and create a cultural tapestry that transcends borders, showcasing the beauty of cultural synthesis.
Tessellated Resistance

Tessellated Resistance

Natalia Robles Oteíza
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Natalia Robles Oteíza is a Chilean fashion designer who focuses on sustainability, technology, and storytelling through design. Natalia has worked across various areas of fashion and textile design, ranging from hypoallergenic children’s wear to highly technical uniforms for female automotive technicians. In her personal work as a designer, she is focused on combining zero- waste patternmaking techniques with 3D modeling and printing technology.
Phantom Limb

Phantom Limb

Jiajie Xu
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
In my perspective, pragmatism holds a pivotal role in the realm of design. A commendable design should be firmly grounded in practical, real-world utility while simultaneously possessing the ability to break free from existing constraints. As a designer, my inclination leans toward working predominantly with tangible materials as my initial point of focus. I draw my creative inspiration largely from palpable, physical aspects of the world, highlighting the significance of sensory experiences and tactile interactions in informing my design endeavors.
Growing Moments: Memory Fossils

Growing Moments: Memory Fossils

Eunhae Cho
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Eunhae Cho is a Korean designer who was raised in a multicultural environment across Korea, Canada, and the United States. Passionate about community enrichment, Cho is committed to nurturing diversity, inclusion, and cultural heritage and to creating meaningful connections through design. Through her work she celebrates individual stories and personal histories within her community. Cho’s professional experiences and honors include a Volvo x CFDA collaboration and Swarovski sponsorship, and in 2023, she was selected as a CFDA Geoffrey Beene scholarship finalist. Cho has worked with Gucci, Ashlyn, and R13, and she is proficient in research, illustration, patternmaking, and sewing, with additional expertise in jewelry crafting.
Aquaflow

Aquaflow

Cindy Qianqian Dong
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
As a passionate and innovative fashion designer, I merge art with style to craft distinctive pieces. Inspired by nature, culture, and human emotion, my designs express a profound appreciation for life’s beauty. Through meticulous craftsmanship and my unique design language, I create fashion that resonates with the wearer and empowers them with confidence. To push fashion boundaries and embrace innovation, I frequently integrate cutting-edge technology into my creative process, resulting in visually stunning designs. I am also expanding the possible uses for 3D printing in my work. I earned my BFA in fashion design from Savannah College of Art and Design and my MFA at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Juana

Juana

Bryan Barrientos
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Bryan Barrientos is a Peruvian American designer who is redefining modern evening wear by challenging conventional barriers while also focusing on couture techniques and celebrating individuality. His brand is inspired by history yet offers a contemporary aesthetic for the modern woman. Barrientos earned his BFA and MFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology and has received industry recognition from Supima. His work has been featured in various prestigious editorials including Harper’s Bazaar.
Collection 0

Collection 0

Brunela Ramirez
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Brunela Ramirez is a Peruvian multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer who incorporates digital design, technology, and sustainability to generate new alternatives in construction, printing, and textile making. She uses her work to explore her curiosity about life’s mysteries, humanity, and gender expression. Ramirez makes research an integral part of her creative process and draws on references such as philosophy, film, and visual media. Her interest in unconventional aesthetics and art influences and defines her work.
Wheels of Honour

Wheels of Honour

Ashleen Tuteja
  • 2024
  • Fashion Design (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Fashion shows
  • Fashion photographs
  • Masters theses
Indian-born designer, Ashleen Tuteja, holds a BFA from the National Institute of Technology and an MFA in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her work, which seamlessly blends conceptual art, monolithic structures, and technical functionality, is rooted in the values of progress, empathy, social responsibility, and innovation. Passionate about menswear, she believes in the equation: Design + Form + Emotion = Good Design. Her creations center around human emotions, emphasizing core principles to evoke meaningful connections through fashion.
Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management Class of 2024 Capstone Research Presentations

Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management Class of 2024 Capstone Research Presentations

Maclean Liotta, Shiyin Lin, Deja Stephens, Marissa Casazza, Jessica Junquet, Stephanie Taylor, Victoria Healey, Mollie Blank, Jotie Saini, Shivani Banerji, Brandon Bernard, Sabina Gosto Dersh, Kelsey Marie Galindo, Monique Lachelle McKenzie, Amanda Nieves, Lena Rubiano, Mia Wilkowski, Amber Cardona, Tori Douglas-Magnolini, Sanam Gidwani, Erin Krug, David Lucas, Shelby Newell, Kylie Phelan and Mary Torelli
  • 2024-06-26
  • Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management
  • Thesis
"This year's capstone research focuses on guiding organizations through the evolving landscape of beauty and accessibility. The class of 2024 delves into three critical topics: (1) the emotional impact of inclusivity on consumer perceptions and organizational culture; (2) the economic consequences of deserts, and expanding access to fundamental beauty products and services; and (3) the social implications at the crossroads of beauty, wellness, and societal norms.
From fostering a more inclusive environment to addressing economic disparities and promoting social justice, our research aims to equip organizations with the insights and strategies needed to thrive in a diverse and dynamic beauty industry. Join us as we delve into the transformative power of inclusivity and equity, and discover how organizations can adapt to better meet the evolving needs of consumers and communities." --event description.
Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management Class of 2023 Capstone Research Presentations

Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management Class of 2023 Capstone Research Presentations

Nina Zimmering, Maria Vialette, Chahat Chadha, Ashani Davidson, Lanie Firey, Nida Hania Khan, Maya Krysicki, Kimberly Lewis, Alyssa Lopez, Anna May, Jessica McGovern, Kathleen V. Subijano, Lora Blass Freed, Emma Gothner, Jeanine Askew, Juan Benedetty, Paige Matteo Casey, Gillian Cronin, Kate Egan, Clothilde Julien, Kailey Komosinski, Alessandra Piazza and Sabina Wagner
  • 2023-06-27
  • Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management
  • Thesis
"Assignment Brief
The 2023 capstone presentations of the beauty industry's think tank featured six months of global research done in emerging markets such as the United Arab Emirates and India and detailed ways to adapt beauty brands for the future and go-to strategies to harness talent."--event description.
An Examination of How Art Galleries and Auction Houses Attract and Retain Millennial Art Collectors

An Examination of How Art Galleries and Auction Houses Attract and Retain Millennial Art Collectors

Max Fusi
  • 2024
  • Art Market Studies
  • Thesis
This research paper explores approaches institutions take to promote art to millennial collectors. Understanding the tastes and consumer behavior of millennial collectors is imperative for galleries and auction houses to increase sales. Methods used to investigate these strategies were reviews of art publications, historical trends, literature, analytical data, and interviews with industry professionals. Research shows that millennial art collectors are receptive to forms of art marketing through social media engagement, interactive exhibitions, and social causes. These findings establish an understanding of how art dealers attract and retain millennial art collectors.
Sustainability in the Art World/Art Market Regarding Climate Change = 气候变化下艺术界/艺术市场的可持续性

Sustainability in the Art World/Art Market Regarding Climate Change = 气候变化下艺术界/艺术市场的可持续性

Hanying Jiang
  • 2023
  • Art Market Studies
  • Thesis
Art, widely recognized as an effective medium for education and advocacy, has witnessed a proliferation of sustainability-themed exhibitions to raise societal attention to environmental sustainability. However, as one of the contributors to carbon emissions and a proponent of avant-garde ideals, the environmental sustainability of the art world/art market has rarely developed. Nonetheless, to eventually fulfill sustainable living for the whole of humanity, every industry has to participate in this sustainability campaign, which includes the art world/art market. Biennials, art fairs, museums, galleries, and auction houses have gradually joined the sustainability movement. The effectiveness of their environmental sustainability within the market is worth attention and evaluation. This paper focuses on evaluating the environmental sustainability effort during the execution of art fairs and biennials inside the art world/art market. It concludes the current phenomenon of the carbon reduction practices in the art market, also offers suggestions for potential effective strategies from within the art world/art market perspective and from a whole society perspective, as well as further research suggestions for the future in terms of sustainability outcomes within the art market.
How Museums Adopt Augmented Reality (AR) to Enhance Visitors’ Experience

How Museums Adopt Augmented Reality (AR) to Enhance Visitors’ Experience

Tzu-Yi Chiang
  • 2023
  • Art Market Studies
  • Thesis
Museums play a pivotal role in enhancing and fostering visitors' knowledge, abilities, and thinking. In the past, people used to believe that the best way to acquire historical and ancient knowledge was by visiting museums. However, contemporary museums that solely focus on on-site attendance may seem outdated. Recent research indicates a decline in museum attendance compared to 2019, and even in the post-pandemic era, the visiting rates still remain below their pre-COVID figures. To comprehend the strategies museums employ in adapting to contemporary trends, I have chosen "Augmented Reality (AR)" as the research focus of my thesis paper. For this reason, I am conducting research to explore how museums apply AR to attract audiences. The purpose of this study is to analyze The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Dalí Museum, examining their motivations for adopting AR. Through examining their timeline of implementation, approaches to integrating AR, and the resulting impact on both the museum and visitors, the ultimate goal is to provide museums with a comprehensive evaluation framework to determine the viability and effectiveness of adopting AR technology. In addition, these findings may interest museum researchers and app designers, encouraging them to develop a broader range of AR applications to provoke a more engaging digital learning experience.
Artist as a Celebrity: Case Studies of Yayoi Kusama, Marina Abramović, and Cindy Sherman

Artist as a Celebrity: Case Studies of Yayoi Kusama, Marina Abramović, and Cindy Sherman

Nino Mtvarelishvili
  • 2023
  • Art Market Studies
  • Thesis
The term celebrity has gained widespread usage in the last century, and its meaning continues to evolve depending on the individual's profession. A variety of celebrities are recognized and admired in their respective fields, such as professional athletes, musicians, writers, business owners, collectors, and artists. Some celebrities achieve global fame far beyond their area of expertise. However, certain professions like surgeons, writers, or artists are usually only recognized and respected by their own specific group. Vincent Van Gogh and Michelangelo are known by people both within and outside of the art world, but their fame has nothing to do with today's celebrity culture. The definition and standards of celebrity have changed alongside the evolution of the media.Many contemporary artists are not widely recognized by most people. While certain male artists like Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Salvador Dali have gained popularity and recognition, this thesis focuses on female artists who have become celebrities in their own right. These artists work in various mediums and have gained high reputation and critical acclaim through their unique themes, styles, and techniques in creating art. This research will closely examine three highly influential women artists: Yayoi Kusama, Marina Abramović, and Cindy Sherman. Over the last two decades, these artists have gained widespread recognition and have been celebrated in art circles and popular culture. The objective of this thesis is to investigate and scrutinize the biographies of these artists and identify the moment when they achieved fame. The research will also identify any changes in the markets of these artists and the growth or lack of growth in their careers and reputations during these crucial years.
Bubble Formations in the Contemporary Art Market

Bubble Formations in the Contemporary Art Market

Arielle O'Connor
  • 2023
  • Art Market Studies
  • Thesis
This thesis examines the phenomenon of bubbles in the contemporary art market, exploring their formations and how Hyman P. Minsky's five stages of a bubble can be applied to analyze their existence in the market. The study focuses on the contemporary period marked by intense global economic upheavals and new market entrants to the art world. The research provides context by tracing the financialization of the global contemporary art market, showing how it has become prone to bubbles following major financial events. The questions are framed around understanding bubble formation and their links to financial and economic forces. The examined case studies between 1980 to 1990, spotlight the rise of the "Art Stars" of the New York-based Neo-Expressionism market influenced by the financial boom on Wall Street and the Impressionist auction market fueled by the Japanese asset price bubble. The 2012 to 2022 period is also examined, characterized by the post-2008 financial crisis and the emergence of the Zombie Formalism bubble, and later what the unraveling NFT bubble is revealing about the future of the art market. The thesis contributes to the understanding of how financial and economic forces drive bubbles in the contemporary art market. By investigating key periods and case studies, the research sheds light on the complex interplay between market dynamics, global events, and speculative behavior.
Application of Papercutting: Art with Modern Illustration

Application of Papercutting: Art with Modern Illustration

Meina Zhang
  • 2023
  • Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Thesis
This paper explores the origins and evolution of the paper cutting art, as well as its impact on contemporary illustration. Paper cutting is defined by engraving, carving, and pattern design on flat material. It has an extensive history universally but especially in the Western Zhou Dynasty, China.
The Cyclical Nature of Illustration

The Cyclical Nature of Illustration

Jane Yeager
  • 2023
  • Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Thesis
This paper will explore the cultural and technological changes that influenced the popularity of illustration within mainstream American women's magazines between the nineteenth century and the present and will set out to prove that the popularity of illustration within these magazines has a cyclical nature, increasing and decreasing regularly over time. The historical section of this paper will document the initial rise of illustration in women's magazines and the histories of prominent illustrators and styles, while also examining the cultural and technological changes that occurred in each time period and assessing how they affected the popularity of illustration in this context. For example, in the 1930s advancements in photography technology and modernist design movements hailing from Europe caused a decline in illustration and a shift towards photography. Starting in the 1960s and continuing into the present, inventions such as television, computers, and the Internet caused advertising money to be redirected away from magazines, shrinking magazines budgets and leading some to bankruptcy. In 2020, the United States experienced cultural unrest as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, political tensions, and the Black Lives Matter movement. This time of national flux led some magazines back to illustration, not only because the pandemic made it more difficult for art directors and models to meet in person for photoshoots, which forced many magazines to rely on art to fill their pages, but also as a means of distinguishing important issues from everyday topics. This paper will then assess the "Current State of the Art" by examining each issue of a list of specific magazines that are representative of the industry from five separate years: 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 and noting how their uses of illustration change from year to year. This approach provides a structured sample set and shows how the popularity of illustration has ebbed and flowed since the start of the digital age. Based on this information, as well as interviews with magazine executives and contemporary illustrators, this paper will make a prediction as to whether the popularity of illustration in women's magazines will continue to operate in a cyclical fashion.
The Influence of Chinese Figure Painting on Modern Illustration

The Influence of Chinese Figure Painting on Modern Illustration

Sixian Wang
  • 2023
  • Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Thesis
Chinese figure painting is one of the major painting branches of traditional Chinese painting. It is based on the character image as the main part of the picture. Figure painting can be further divided into Taoist paintings, beautiful woman paintings, portrait paintings, genre paintings, Historical story paintings. The painting form of Chinese figure painting is to paint on silk or paper with a brush dipped in water, ink, or color. Tools and materials include brushes, ink, Chinese painting pigments, rice paper, silk. In terms of painting techniques, it can be divided into white-line painting, meticulous (Gong Bi) and heavy-color painting, and freehand painting. Chinese traditional painting appeared earlier than landscape painting and flower and bird painting. This paper will briefly introduce the history, development, and representative figure painters of Chinese figure painting to pave the way for the subsequent influence on contemporary painters.
Historicity and Decoration of Tibetan Tangka Art

Historicity and Decoration of Tibetan Tangka Art

Chuyin Wang
  • 2023
  • Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)
  • Thesis
This paper explores the history of Tangka, which is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton and silk. It existed from Tibet and from early 7C AD to the present. It has nine different forms, but this paper mainly focuses on the three most essential painting schools, Mian Tang School, Chinze School, and Karma Gazi school. The paper will also explore its impact on contemporary illustration.