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UBIFRANCE French Textile Connection Spring 2013 Academy of Art University Runway

French Textile Connection Spring 2013 Academy of Art University Runway show in New York during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Photos by Randy Brooke.

From the press release:

The French Textile Collection is a collaboration of four M.F.A. Fashion Design students, five B.F.A. Fashion Design students, two B.F.A. Textile Design students, and the following prestigious French textile mills who donated fabrics to be used in the collection: print (AB CREATIONS); silk, jacquards (BELINAC, DENIS & FILS, PHILEA, SPRINTEX); wools (CLARENSON); lace (SOPHIE HALLETTE, SOLSTISS); knits (DEVEAUX, HENITEX INTERNATIONAL, PHILEA, SPRINTEX); velvet fabric, stretch corduroy fabric, jeans wear, pigment dyed (VELCOREX); and technic/sports fabrics (AVELANA, ROUDIÈRE). The students who collaborated on
the UBIFRANCE collection are: Korkor Apo, Maclay Bowers, Joe Chung, Mina Fadaie, Guiping April Feng, Massayuki Ito, Kyung Hwa Kim, Erica Laba, Eli Daniel Odisho, Liza Quiñones, Angela Sison, and Wen-Lin Lina Tsai.
This collaboration was made possible by UBIFRANCE, the French Trade Commission. UBIFRANCE is a governmental trade agency whose efforts create promotion and business opportunities for French companies in their international business development. It is a key force for French exports with the support of France’s
Ministry of Commerce. UBIFRANCE promotes French products and savoir-faire, and puts French-based professionals in contact with their international counterparts. For more information about UBIFRANCE and the participating French mills, please contact: [email protected].

Academy Of Art University Spring 2013 Runway Video



Watch the full runway show in the video below



Twinkle by Wenlan Spring 2010

Twinkle_TitleTwinkle by Wenlan showed a dramatic, moving gallery for Spring 2010, incorporating Yoko Ono’s independent spirit with Blondie’s incredible spunk. Signature prints draw me back to the days of studio art lessons, from scrambled Peeled Paint, dreamy Oil and Water swirls and splotches, to razor-sharp graphics in Paradise Etched.

Raw emotions are conveyed with intense pop art hues of coral red and glam hot pink – perfect in all-over solid statement pieces – while subtle yellow blots and watery blue fill the spaces in between. Black & white is still a hit whether in the form of loose fine gauge viscose cardigans or cool silk tucked into cuffed shorts.

The collection’s soft and hard elements make for a “colorful conversation”. Fluid lines and a sweet attitude played well with the “mash up” of acid wash, chunky choker-style necklaces and loud leggings. Billowy tops flow over sleek patterned skinny pants and “thunderbolts” of cutting edge neon charms outline smooth contours in bubble dresses, ruffles and open, exaggerated sleeves. BIG unruly hair, parted sharply down the middle, topped off each look.

– Tiffany Chang
Photos © Sandra Rosales 2009
[svgallery name=”twinkle”]

Tibi Fall 2009

Photo by Sandra Rosales
Photo by Sandra Rosales

Designer Amy Smilovic instills a Russian fairytale’s “light-hearted moodiness” into Tibi’s Fall 2009 presentation. Ornate bird motifs and rich furs highlighted the collection while lavish use of gold trimming, which hinted of embroidery and brocade, kept off-shoulder folk dresses and jumpsuits refreshingly modern.

Expect solid citrus shades on flowy, asymmetrical sheaths and dusky hues on tailored outerwear. The theme is well captured with the dainty tsarina-inspired ruffle riding jacket and the long and lean Bolshevik wool coat. Large crystal chandelier earrings and traditional fur hats added an icy glamour.

Staple pieces include the stovepipe stretch wool pants and dark scooped tanks. There were a number dazzling looks with the boatneck Doystoevsky bloom sheath – a kaleidoscope of magenta blossoms in a teal pool – and the Enchanted Forest chiffon dress with gold beading. Other prints include purple and teal paisley, seen on tunics under fox furs, and the navy Firebird emblem.

– Tiffany Chang

Photos by Sandra Rosales


CHOCHENG Fall 2009

Photo by Stevyn Llewellyn
Photo by Stevyn Llewellyn

Cho Cheng’s Fall 2009 presentation sings of Shanghai chic in the 1960s. Cheerful colors include turquoise, “cherry”, and “canary yellow”. There was heavy emphasis on luxurious suiting in the form of trim wool blazers with prim collars and French cuffs, velvet riding habits adorned with gold buttons, and jackets complete with satin lapels and lacy ruffles. The designer’s signature use of velvet is also seen in the cropped pleated pants and mini skirts. All looks were topped off with dapper blonde bobs, a chiseled appearance which brought an air of aristocracy.

The traditional qipao has also been translated into a more contemporary context, seen with the metallic tints and slinkier fit. Showstoppers include a series of “siren” gowns in champagne gold with sequins, baby pink complete with bow and train, and the white satin Sabrina gown. This statuesque silhouette was a vibrant throwback to old Hollywood glamour.

– Tiffany Chang