02 26 2014 Fashion Plus Lifestyle

FASHION PLUS LIFESTYLE February 26, 2014 "Academy of Art University Fashion Design and Textile Design Students Shine at Fall/Winter 2014 New Fashion Week" Fall 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Show http://fashionpluslifestyle.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/academy-of-arts-university-fashion-design-andtextile-design-students-shine-at-fallwinter-2014-new-fashion-week/

Jaci Hodges, M.F.A. Fashion Design, collaborated with Nisha Hanna Btesh, B.F.A. Textile Design, on a 1960s-inspired womenswear collection that was created with the use of Shibori, the Japanese technique of resistance felting. Originally from Austin, TX, Jaci holds a B.B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Philosophy. Additionally, she recently completed a design internship with gr.dano, a Bay Area ready-towear company co-founded by fellow alumna Jill Giordano. Nisha is a California native, born and raised in San Diego. Jaci and Nisha were inspired by the excess of prints worn during the late 1960s, in particular to those seen on the Brady Bunch, and the costumes worn by Mia Farrow in the film Dandy in Aspic. Â

Frank Tsai, M.F.A. Fashion Design, collaborated with Andrea Nieto, B.F.A. Textile Design, on a menswear collection inspired by the mood and emotion of an international photography collection, “Beauty in Decay,” personal struggle, raw emotion, and the different stages of the healing process. Frank was born and raised in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, earned a B.S. Degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising, was awarded high honors for his undergraduate fashion show, and worked as the Marketing Manager for FU YU Clothing Company.

Andrea grew up in Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, is on the Academy of Art University President’s Honor List, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship through the YMA Scholarship Fund as a Geoffrey Beene National Scholar, and recently finished a design internship at BCBGMAXAZRIA.

Elizabeth Castellon, M.F.A. Fashion Design, is originally from Bronx, NY. Before attending Academy of Art University, she graduated from The High School of Fashion Industries, and then went on to complete her B.S. in Human Ecology, with a concentration in Fashion Design. Her Fall 2014 menswear collection is comprised of leather, a variety of wools, and upholstery fabrics. She took inspiration from futuristic architecture, interiors, sculptures, and incorporated themes from 1930s sportswear. Her goal was to blend the classic tailoring elements that traditionally embody menswear with an abstract, futuristic appearance. Â

Mingyu Du, M.F.A. Fashion Design, collaborated with Joseph Khawane, M.F.A. Textile Design, on a womenswear collection made of unique fabrics including army tent and parachute materials, wool blankets, and cotton canvas. They were inspired by the mod fashions of the 1960s as well as the attitude and freedom of the youth from that period. Originally from Qinhdao, China, Mingyu earned a B.F.A. in Fine Art and Calligraphy and won the National Dragon Cup Painting Calligraphy Competition in Beijing, China. Joseph was born in Fairfax, VA, and grew up in Baltimore, MD. After earning his B.F.A. in Fashion Design, he worked on theatre set and costume design, as well as millinery production. His design internship with Aysha Saeed in NYC inspired him to pursue his M.F.A. degree at Academy of Art University. He drew inspiration from Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui and Syrian contemporary artist Diana Al-Hadid. Â