Coco Chanel said that when a woman is well dressed, “you notice the woman,” rather than the clothes. At the BFA fashion show, when the winning designs came the runway, well, we noticed the clothes.
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/GregMario_BFAshow_012.jpg?resize=729%2C583)
And of course we noticed the models as tall as sky-scrapers, and whispered and pointed out the industry stars. “There’s Calvin.” “There’s Joe Zee.” “There’s Nanette Lepore.” “Ohhh — Sarah Wallace from Channel 7 is here!”
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/Hana-Cho_194.jpg?resize=611%2C922)
And we wondered where does all that imagination come from, how does it manifest, and can it really be taught? It sure is a long way from home ec class.
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/Hana-Cho_20.jpg?resize=819%2C544)
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/yellow-2_BFAshow_17.jpg?resize=581%2C819)
“We were intrigued when we walked through that door into the Great Hall,” said student photographer Greg Mario. They created it into a whole different environment, because I know that room and it blew me away.” Mario said that having press access gave him “the best seat in the house.”
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/tights_BFAshow_13.jpg?resize=612%2C922)
“It’s about the movement” said Mario, who wants to become a sports photographer. “I’m still capturing that pivotal moment. When they come down the runway it’s like capturing an action shot.”
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/Knit-Full-length_BFAshow_06.jpg?resize=571%2C819)
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/ConnecticutGirl_BFAshow_011.jpg?resize=613%2C819)
For BFA fashion student Jordan Randolph it’s not a long way from home ec class. She’s only 22. She credits the fashion industry pros and FIT instructors who helped her with the black evening dress with a skeleton back that made it to the runway. Yet she also thinks back to her home ec teacher. “I’m her success story,” she said of Katherine McCluskey.
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/Calvin_BFAshow_012.jpg?resize=631%2C922)
Mario, ever-present, gave a shout out ” Hey, Calvin!” to get this parting shot.
Congratulations to all the BFA fashion seniors. It is all about the clothes!
![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.fitnyc.edu/artanddesign/files/2012/05/FoF-professors-e1337118913885.jpg?resize=650%2C472)
The crew: The great look of Fashion Design faculty who taught 8th-semester FD students.
To see Sarah Wallace’s WABC coverage go to: FIT Fashion Show Segment