FIT SS24 Fashion Design at New York Fashion Week
The Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) Fashion Design MFA Class of 2023 presented UNI/VERSAL, a runway show featuring their graduate collections, at Spring Studios during New York Fashion Week on the 12th of September 2023.
The unique show debuted 112 looks, with 14 students each presenting an eight-look collection developed prior to their graduation, which took place in May.
Representing four continents, the designers featured in UNI / VERSAL were as follows: Morgan Cardwell, Vasundhra Dhamija, Kaylie Haueisen, Youna Jin, Kuai Li, Yitong Lui, Anthony Oyer, Lilach Porges, Catherine Ziyue Tang, Xinyue Maggie Tao, Valeria Watson, Tom Zhendong Wen, Deborah Won, and Luna Zining Ye. Together, the designers developed an artist/creative statement in support of their work:
“We believe that what sets our class apart is the diversity we represent in our various backgrounds, styles, and concepts. Yet despite this breadth, we support each other as a unified body. When naming our collective show, we wanted to find a title that represented this symbiosis of people and passions. We decided that the theme UNI/VERSAL (Uni: derived from the Latin word unus meaning “one,” and Versal: an archaic term for “entire” or “whole”) best represents our individuality as well as our cohesiveness. Each of us has a unique creative universe that brings inspiration to all of us. Each collection that you see today is derived from these spaces of self-exploration.”
“I am so proud of this class’s resilience, determination, and unconventional creativity in their storytelling,” said Dr. Brooke Carlson, interim dean, FIT School of Graduate Studies. “This cohort began their studies with Covid still strong, and masking required. They graduated with Covid no longer at the epicenter of their lives, and as evidenced by their work, it’s clear that they felt unrestrained and well-prepared to succeed in the fashion business, no matter what paths they choose to take.”
“Throughout their two years in the program, these talented 2023 graduates have been guided by a gifted and experienced faculty of creatives and industry professionals that includes award-winning fashion designer and threeASFOUR co-founder Gabi Asfour, among others,” said Cathleen Sheehan, chair and professor, Fashion Design MFA program, FIT. “We’ve all been impressed by their collaborative spirit and commitment as students and look forward to the positive impact they’ll make as emerging fashion designers.”
