On April 18, under the aegis of FIT International Programs in Florence, 14 students graduating with AAS degrees staged a fashion show on the theme of “Transformation.” Per Italian tradition, students donned laurel wreaths to receive their certificates.
Resident Director Madeleine Kaplan tasked them to consider “how we each have such diverse histories/roots that connect us, yet they are transformed over time, giving us wings to achieve whatever we wish.”
Students created journals, developed mood boards, and envisioned collections from which they each constructed one garment from greige muslin embellished with minimal secondary fabrics.
Korean-American student Phoebe Yoon’s hyper-asymmetrical jacket with irregular trim and traditional Korean symbols (pictured above left) showed her heritage, woven into every aspect of her life. The exceptional garment won both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards.
Montana native Anna Hudson evoked Western influences via her contemporary minidress (pictured at right) decorated with small mirrors, coupled with a fringed jacket with cutouts that exposed the mirrors.
Rather than spending weekends traveling, students dedicated themselves to local culture and their work. “We’re very proud of the quality they achieved in their second year, at 19 years old, while studying abroad,” says Kaplan. Yasemin Jones, vice president of Academic Affairs, flew in to celebrate their achievements.
The following slideshow of photos by Patrizio Marcocci offers a glimpse into the celebratory day, held at Villa Favard, the historic headquarters of Polimoda, the institute that hosts FIT in Florence.
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