The Cornell Fashion Collective held its twenty seventh annual runway show last Saturday, April 16th, 2011. The show is comprised of four levels of designers: first years, mostly freshman in the fashion major and other majors showing one piece, second years, mostly sophomores in the fashion major showing two pieces, third years, mostly juniors showing six pieces, and fourth years, seniors showing twelve pieces. The show is a huge campus event, with annual attendance of over 3000 people, hosted in a large concert hall.
The lines featured in these photos are from all levels. Anu Lingala was a standout of the second-level, showing ethereal looks in muted chiffons and knits. In the third level, Rosie Taam's line, "Lucid Dreams" was a play on traditional Asian fabrics and paper cranes, which she used to adorn the millinery and gowns in her range. Also in the third level was CollegeFashionista contributor Amelia Brown's line, "Semolina". The line was inspired by national dress from Central Asia and incorporated hand-painting and metal embellishments. Also in the third level was fellow CollegeFashionista contributor Sara Yin's eponymous line, a clean color-blocked look in black and white leathers.
Moving to the fourth level full collections, "Nhu-Thu" by Nhu Nguyen featured feminine spring looks with coordinated custom millinery. Nhu plans to go into bridalwear after graduation. "Vestige", by Hannah Richey, played with gray scale in various materials, including knitting yarns and tie-dyed silks. Hannah plans to go into the contemporary womenswear sector in NYC upon graduation. "Baited" by Allie Theilens was inspired by seaside glamour, using subtle references like maritime stripes and fishing rope within a very wearable collection. The closing collection in the show was "Submerge" by John Sohn. Inspired by a 2000 year old Korean women's diving community, Submerge included digitally printed silks and fabrics referencing seaweed and scuba wear. John plans to work in luxury womens wear in the future.
Although most designers come from Cornell's Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, this show has a unique flavor because any Cornell student can submit garments for the show or become involved with the managerial aspects. In addition to these lines, there is an annual presentation of a garment made from a sketch submitted by the winner of a pool of nationwide high school designers, entitled the Cornell Design Award. There is also an innovative menswear collection designed and sewn by students, presented in collaboration with Pendleton Woolen Mills each year.
The Cornell Fashion Collective put on a very strong presentation this year and looks forward to continually advancing the maturity of this production, the only ivy-league fashion show designed, managed, and created by fashion students.
Photos shot by Teresa Barger. Designer oder: Anu Lingala, Sara Yin, Amelia Brown, Allie Theilen, Rosie Taam, John Sohn, Nhu Nguyen.