Apr

SAIC Annual Fashion Show: Fashion or Art?!

Fashion or Art?!

Sums up the afternoon at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) 2nd Annual Fashion Show held at Millennium Park on April 19th.

From observing each collection, it is apparent that the SAIC designers design for themselves out of pure joy for their craft. It’s refreshing to see fashion as an individual expression not dictated for the mass markets, buyers or retailers. By watching each collection take the stage, you could see the imagination woven together in every last detail.

Designers pushed every boundary leaving you in complete awe while playing with colors, structures and headgear. As a passive member of the audience watching, it was thrilling to have absolutely no idea what to expect and have your sights appealed to. There were times I just wanted to stop shooting so I could completely take in the experience organically.

The show commenced with barefoot ladies draped in whites and grays with a play on structures, layers and frills. I felt I had walked into another realm or dimension of life altogether. The show unraveled with compilations from each class and finished with a small set of specialized designs from each graduating Senior.

Each designer demonstrated talent and creativity. The ones that stayed in my mind were Sophia Khan and Laura Dodd for their sophisticated elegance, and Abby Thomas who brought femininity and playfulness with florals. It’s just my taste to go a little bit simpler yet with one statement of fashion trend.

However, there were plenty of designers who were memorable. Jasmine Chong made a statement with smooth ladies draped in silk, sporting black patterned tights. Ashley Colletti brought traditional elegance of long hems. Krystle Thomas rocked the runway with her “ladies in black.” Michael Wallis transported us back to the ’50s in wigs and dainty frocs. Natalie Burton brought out masculinity with bold chains and layered necklines. Dan Wittenberg draped us in sashes and robes giving a Mediterranean vibe. Rebecca Huh and Thierny Smith pulled together preppy looks in bright pink from polos to fun blazers, while Meredith Gleason brought out the heavy metal rocker fashion. Watching her take the stage at the end of the show, she resembled every bit of a metal rocker herself.

Check out the photo highlights below!