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By Rachel Ellner, February 6, 2013 4:38 pm

A group of eco-focused artisans including FIT grads Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda,  Melissa Kirgan and XZ Chung-Hilyard recently displayed their works at the Manhattan home of prominent fiber artist Abigail Doan. Known for her use of natural fibers and plant materials. Doan, who divides her time between New York, Bulgaria and Italy, describes herself as an “art-farmer.”  

“’Fete for the Senses’ allowed us to create something together while showing who we are as individuals with brands,” said Balmaseda via email. “We had three blissful days to connect, discuss, share with inspiring makers and guests from all sorts of backgrounds, industries and experience, something unforgettable!”

Diningroom table installation at Fetes for the Senses gathering. Photo: Abigail Doan

Balmaseda works with natural dyes and hand-spun yarns. Her “moss formation” dress was on display in one room of Doan’s botanical-scented, spacious apartment. “A lot of my pieces could be described as art, sustainable ‘fashion,’ versatile-reversible wearables, but also labor-intensive examples of handcrafted techniques and new fiber-textile concoctions.”

Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda’s moss formation dress. photo: Jordan Cortese

“It was an event to celebrate the senses and show the work that can provoke the senses in very different, yet somehow connected ways,” said Balmaseda.

Sleeve detail from Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda’s moss formation. Photo: Jordan Cortese

“All of the work included in Fete for the Senses was either handmade, artisan-produced, textile rich, or completely organic in nature”

Trend forecaster and curator Lidewij Edelkoort

 “Sometimes it is hard to find platforms to showcase work that helps an audience see and understand different layers,” said Balmaseda. “Fashion events often focus on style trends and marketability. Sustainability events celebrate the ethics of production and alternative business models, the environmental and social impact of the pieces. Textile-craft events usually attract people that appreciate heritage, traditional techniques and innovation. All are wonderful, but do not always allow for a combined picture.”

Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda’s moss formation dress

“New York made me strong, gave me drive and incredible career opportunities,” Balmaseda says on a blog post about a recent knitting session with fellow FIT grads. “It’s incredible how much things have changed since we’ve stopped frequenting the classrooms on 27th street.”

Crystal necklace made by Melissa Kirgan and XZ of Eko-Lab.  Photo: Abigail Doan

“There’s no connection between people and their clothing anymore. It’s very sensual to ingest to bring the design into you.” – Melissa Kirgan

Melissa Kirgan and XZ Chung-Hilyard of Eko-Lab displayed their crystal necklace made of stones wrapped in organic cloth from Goods of Conscience, which is woven with reflective fiber from Guatemala.

“Abigail and I were talking before the Christmas holiday about multi-sensory designs” says Kirgan. “We were inspired to imagine what our designs would taste like. We thought of rock candy. XZ made rock candy for months in her kitchen to get a visual of the crystal. ”

“Rock candy is a little exotic and the coloring is beautiful. We wanted to bring that into the design. I know it’s weird and funny. But it worked out really nicely.”

Detail of Eko-Labs black sesame rock candy. Photo: Abigail Doan

The rope for the necklace was found at the Brooklyn Navy Yard near their studio. “It was a night-before piece! The eucalyptus leaves come from the farmers’ market that we got for the Fete for the Senses journey.”

“It was an intimate setting,” says Assistant Dean Sass Brown who attended fete along with other appreciators of art and craft. “It was a sensitive presentation and a sharing,” said Brown, who is author of “Eco Fashion,” and a leading expert on sustainable fashion design.

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By Rachel Ellner, December 21, 2012 2:50 pm

“Natural, instinctual and quick” is how fine arts student Chanel Mehyo describes her chalk pastels, charcoal and acrylic paint drawings that appear in the Junior BFA “Selections” exhibition in the Pomerantz Building lobby. Mehyo completed the series in experimental drawing class, taught by Prof. Stephanie DeManuelle, chair of fine arts. The class says Mehyo “helped me become more fearless.”

“You can see in Chanel’s work what an amazing sense of color she has. Her whole shape sensitivity is also amazing,” says DeManuelle. “She uses really beautiful color juxtapositions.

Chanel Mehyo chalk and acrylic drawings

“Chanel uses dry and wet media, charcoal, acrylic paint and chalk. It’s the impulse of the project to develop a vocabulary that is used throughout the series with mixed media, ” says DeManuelle, who encourages students to explore contemporary drawing techniques. “Students are meant to develop multiple works using similar strategies in each of the pieces.”

Chanel Mehyo’s series cont.

Mehyo wants to continue her studies post graduation to become an art therapist.

The Selections exhibit will be on display until January 28, 2013.

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By Rachel Ellner, December 19, 2012 8:08 pm

It’s one thing to admire great menswear on the street. But how do you recreate that feeling of a great pair of pants walking by for a customer in a virtual store? In order to turn “Nice pants, man” into more than a stand-up line — and into a desire to purchase those pants online — was the goal of this year’s PAVE (The Planning and Visual Education Partnership) competition.

PAVE’s annual competition has categories in visual merchandising (or product display) and the interior design of retail stores. From among this year’s 400 PAVE contestants who submitted pop-up designs for Bonobos online men’s clothing store, senior interior design student Hye Young Hayley Park won honorable mention.

Hye Young Hayley Park in the middle of two fellow PAVE winners

“We’re proud to have Hayley represent the great work our students do at FIT,” said interior design chair Andrew Seifer. “Hayley is an incredible talent in our department. She won the Decorator’s Club award last spring and continues to flourish.”

Rendering of pants and denims display by Hye Young Hayley Park

“My pop-up store aims to create the virtual experience that’s closest to a physical experience by converging digital and retail stores,” says Ms. Park about the pants and denims shown in an on-the-go style in her rendering (above).  ”For each pair of pants on display, an Ipad will be provided that allows customers to read reviews, check available colors, sizes, and find additional product information before making a purchase.”

Rendering of accessories display wall by Hye Young Hayley Park

“The accessories display wall is a 3′ x 3′ modular system with adjustable shelving sticks,” says Ms. Park. “The displayed products include shoes, ties, bags and belts. The LED seating cubes can be custom-colored and be rearranged. The material would be chipboard, good for sound absorption.”

While Ms. Park’s taste in fashion is commonly noted, it’s her interior design expertise that could make virtual shopping a sleek and wonderful experience.

To read about last year’s FIT PAVE winner go to: “Natasha Melo helping us locate lipstick, eyeliner & more”

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By Rachel Ellner, October 24, 2012 3:18 pm

Balloons and pumpkin cake were waiting for interior design student Katie McTammany at the end of her photography class PH404 this morning. Katie turned 21 today.  She and her classmates had just learned how to saturate and desaturate photos in class with Prof. Brad Farwell. 

               Birthday girl Kathryn McTammany & Hayley Cavagnoll

Cake was lovingly provided by Hayley Cavagnoli.

Saturation wasn’t the only game in town. Curves and levels were topics as well.

                  Katie holding her birthday card from Jessica Mazur

With a hug from one of her peeps.

Photos by Rachel Ellner

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By Rachel Ellner, October 15, 2012 3:46 pm

Pinch yourselves. Yes, he’s coming to FIT. Major charisma. A superstar in Europe with an A-list clientele, i.e., Giorgio Armani, Jamie Foxx, Ryan Seacrest, Samuel L. Jackson, Richard Branson. Yes, it’s Ozwald Boateng, the British fashion designer (originally from Ghana),  to share his unusual story of breaking into the mensware industry.  A screening of his story “A Man’s Story,” will be shown on October 29 in Haft Auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The film starts at 6 p.m.

“His story is so personal, so real, of an outsider breaking into the establishment — Savile Row — the name of the street that’s renowned for menswear bespoke tailoring” (that is, traditional tailoring at the highest level).  His infusions bring continents closer together. “He’ll do very strict classic menswear tailoring with an African sense of color,” says assistant dean Sass Brown. “

Ozwald Boateng

 ”The film is him talking of how he lost everything and started again…It’s a great, great story, not staged,” says Brown, who had a sneak preview of the film. “He’s in back of a taxi, in his atelier, and on the red carpet. His story is relevant to everyone trying to get a foothold in their given industry, whether a design student or a business major.“

A Q&A will Mr. Boateng will follow the screening.

Come and find out how to get your own foothold!

Tickets for this event are available in the Dean’s Office, D-350, beginning October 17.

This event is open to the FIT community only.

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By Rachel Ellner, October 10, 2012 5:53 pm

Debbie Millman, former FIT professor of packaging design and current president of Sterling Brands’ design group, was a commanding presence at the seminar “Overcoming Failure: How the worst moments of your life can turn out to be the best (and visa-versa).” Millman’s talk held at Pratt Institute on September 29, was sponsored by the Graphic Artists Guild.

Ms. Millman has worked on the redesign of over 200 global brands and  authored five books on design including: “Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits,” “Look Both Ways: Illustrated Essays on the Intersection of Life and Design,” and “How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer.”

Visual presentation and exhibition design professor Veronica Romano attended the event with three of her  students.

“An objective of my professional practices class is to inform students about the realities of the industry,” says Romano. “Debbie’s presentation was so honest and the take-away incredibly inspirational. The students seemed to hold on to every word. They got it! — her whole career and so much valuable knowledge in just a short two hours!” 

l-r: FIT students Tess Wieloszynski, Robyn Williamson & Vivian Warman; Debbie Millman, Prof. Veronica Romano

Robyn Williamson’s notes from the event:

“Overcoming Failure” notes

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By Rachel Ellner, October 5, 2012 4:31 pm

your hosts from the Dean’s Office, Amy, Ashley & Kim

A roomful of expertise — department chairs, professors and student advisers — were on hand at the BFA Fair on October 4th to speak with students interested in art and design BFA majors. “Students often don’t realize the offerings and the vast number of programs available to them,” says Professor Ellen Goldstein from accessories design. “The BFA Fair opens their eyes to a vast number of opportunities.”

Suzanne Anoushian, chair of communication department with prospective BFA student

Professor Anne Kong from visual presentation and exhibition design talking to students

“We talked about everything from job opportunities to majors and ours being more 3-dimensional,” said Professor Anne Kong.

Prof. Birgit Schwarz-Hickey from advertising design talking with students

Fashion design chair, Colette Wong talks to a curious student

“The BFA Fair is a wonderful opportunity for all Art & Design students,” says Colette Wong, chair of fashion design. “It’s informative even for students who know what their major will be. They learn more about the study abroad programs and any lingering questions get answered.”

Prof. Frederun Scholz of graphic design providing guidance

Prof. Sarah Mullins & Vasilios Christoflilakos, chair of accessories design

Prof. Sandra Krasovec advising prospective student of packaging design

“I had a very important conversation with students about what they can do after graduation,” said Jeff Way, assist. chair of fine arts. “We have graduates who come to the classroom to talk about what they are doing.”

Student advisors & textile design BFA majors Gabrielle Marino and Samantha Dines help out behind the swatches

Sara Petitt, chair of textile surface design

Ramon Campos holding an octopus  prototype made by alum Andres Garza

 Ramon Campos, a student adviser, switched to toy design after completing his AAS in illustration. He was on hand to help prospective students navigate the waters.

photos: Rachel Ellner

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By Rachel Ellner, September 5, 2012 2:12 pm

The Faces & Places in Fashion lecture series is all straight talk, practical advice, fashion forecasting, and insider dishing delivered by formidable fashion innovators. ”This semester we have an outstanding array of entrepreneurs with a focus on footwear and accessories,” says Faces & Places professor Joshua Williams.

Lectures are open to the public.

Lectures are held in the Katie Murphy Amphitheater  in the Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center (D building),  Seventh Avenue at 27th Street.

Schedule subject to change

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By Rachel Ellner, August 28, 2012 3:44 pm

Please welcome Oliver, the latest member of the photography department’s extended canine family. The five-year-old Smooth Fox Terrier was adopted from a Rhode Island rescue facility by Ron Amato, chair of the photography department and his husband Seth Muzzy. “He’s changing every day,” says Amato. Oliver it appears has discriminating tastes. “Last night he was playing with all his toys. This morning he wanted nothing to do with them.” 

“Why the long face Oliver?” asks assistant chair Brad Paris the owner of a mutt named Pill.  Well for one thing Oliver had 11 teeth extracted last week, not long after being neutered. It’s a lot for a little fellow to go through, but Amato says his boy is very resilient.

We hope for Oliver’s speedy recovery.

 photos: Ron Amato