New York Fashion Week: Art Institutes Spring 2017 Collections

The beautiful bridal designs from Maria D’ Ocon were a highlight of the Art Institutes Show (images via Art Institutes.)

The Art Institutes show at New York Fashion Week is a favorite of ours.  With 9 designers showing, this year’s collections literally had a bit of everything for Spring 2017.  Each designer has a unique style.  There was everything from 60’s mod patchwork styles to designs inspired by Degas’ ballerinas to elegant  bridal and evening gowns coming down the New York Runway last week at the Art Institutes show.

A Patchwork of Blue by Adrian Escoto at the Art Institutes Spring 2017 Show.

This season’s theme was “Destinations.”  Each designers was challenged to take us on an inspirational journey of discovery. The resulting collections on the runway of The Art Institutes Spring 2017 show at The Arc, Skylight at Moynihan Station looked like they came from seasoned designers, not students.  Each collection was impressive.

Here’s a bit about each of the designers and their collections:

Designer #1: Adrian Escoto (Graduate, AAS Fashion Design program, The Art Institute of New York City) – Denim patchwork sportswear that is equal part street and uptown and is quintessentially New York through and through.

Sixties style dress by Bianca Zidik

Designer #2: Bianca Zidik (Graduate, BFA Fashion Design program, 2016, The Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago) – Looks straight from Carnaby Street in London circa 1960 with a funky nod to Mr. Austin Powers himself… Groovy, baby!

Stunning top and skirt by Melody Hernandez

Designer #3: Melody Hernandez (Graduate, BFA Fashion Design program, 2016, The Art Institute of Vancouver)- Modern sportswear that is both easy and wearable, but elevated by unexpected mixes of fabrics, prints, & design details.

An avant-garde vision by Julissa Arrington

Designer #4: Julissa Arrington (Graduate, BFA Fashion Design program, 2015, California- San Francisco, a campus of Argosy University, from Houston, Texaas.)- An avant-garde collection inspired by a journey of self-discovery through an unraveled mind.

Rich Red Dress by Devon Pezzano

Designer #5: Devon Pezzano (Graduate, BS Fashion Design program, 2016, The Art Institute of Philadelphia) – Deceptively heavy silhouettes juxtaposed against light airy fabrics meant to evoke the concept of levitation.

A stunning dress by Mimmy Begazo

Designer #6: Mimmy Begazo (Graduate, BFA Fashion Design program, 2016, Miami International University of Art & Design) – A collection that explores the future and the technology used to help block radiation from our bodies.

Hollywood glam style dress by Rene Mejia

Designer #7: René Mejia (Fashion Design AAS student, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale) – Eduardo Degas and his magnificent ballerina paintings inspired this collection of evening wear that is edgy and androgynous yet soft and feminine.

A dress fit for the red carpet by Esther Ashiru

Designer #8: Esther Ashiru (Graduate, BFA Fashion Design program, 2016, The Art Institute of Vancouver)- A castle in Dublin, Ireland inspired this collection of opulent evening wear that evokes feelings of couture.

An elegant bridal gown by Maria D”Ocon

Designer #9: Maria D’Ocon (Fashion Design BFA Student, Miami International University of Art & Design)- The cultural richness & diversity of Spanish art inspired this elegant bridal collection.