Academy of Art 2010 Graduation Fashion Show in San Francisco with Suzy Menkes

Photography by Drew Altizer

A fantastic fashion show was presented by a fabulous group of graduating students from the school of fashion at the Academy of Art University San Francisco on May 6, 2010. I have to admit that the show was better than NY...It was the vision, and aesthetics of sixteen new talented designers who officially debuted in the fascinating, yet hard, world of fashion.

The opening fashion show was guided by Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the University , who presented an Honorary Doctorate to Suzy Menkes, OBE (the most excellent Order of the British Empire), Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, and Fashion Editor of International Herald Tribune. I had the pleasure and honor to chat and exchange comments on the fashion show with Suzy....my HUGE moment!!

Fashion Editor of International Herald Tribune

Suzy Menkes

Front Row (left) Walter Van Beirendonck, Keanan Duffy

Ian Hannula and Joe Haller

Elisa palomino VP of Design at Diane von Furstenberg

Suzy Menkes

What was exquisite and different about the fashion show was to see the different perspective and vision of so many young designers. Each collection was unique and different from the other. Yuzuan Cheng was born in China and came to the US ten years ago. Cheng presented a collection with textile design collaboration by Delphina Rodriguez that was pure detail work. It was not feminine, but rather a tailored men's look. "I want to bring the men's tailoring into women" she said. The structure and construction of each piece was inspired by David Bowie, poker and men's wear.

Collection by Yuzuan Cheng and

Delphina Rodriguez

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Stephanie Hoffman took center stage with her knitwear design that was inspired by Surrealism and haute Couture of the 1930s and 1940's. The feminine look inspired by the women of 1920s and 1930s was designed by Amelia Statler who used different shades beige in antique lace. Ghazaleh Khalifeh brought the sexy Indian inspired look back to the catwalk . She used embellishments on deep shades of red and gold.

Collection by Amelia Statler

Collection by Ghazaleh khalileh

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And, my favorite collection was by Rinat Brodach. She brought the femme look to the Academy of Art fashion show with her vision of fall's defined big shoulder, structured jackets in a beautiful shade of military dark green, a reminiscent of designers like Zac Posen and Balmain.

Collection by Rinat Brodach

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And, of course, the show was wrapped up by a men's leather collection designed by Ashon Sylvester...absolutely out of control!! It was inspired by futuristic Native American Warrior on another planet with a a twist much needed on the catwalk. Ashon was able to capture the audience attention, without any hesitation.

Collection by Ashon Sylvester

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And much deserved, Rinat and Ashon were awarded by Suzy Menkes with a sister City Scholarship Exchange in Paris, Rinal at L'Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and Ashon at Studio Bercot.

Congratulations to the 2010 Class Academy of Art new designers!....The fashion show was impeccable and with a much needed twist of different alternative and vision of many creative minds from the structured and detailed oriented men's look, the femininity of European designs to the captivating haute couture of the men's futuristic design.