2021 Menswear Student Exhibition

MENSWEaR

MESSAGE PRESiDENT FROM THE

Here we have the work of over 500 graduating Art and Design students—every one of them a marvel!

Imagine the challenges they faced this year.

Forced by the pandemic to work from their homes, denied the in-studio, shoulder-to-shoulder, hands-on learning experience they expected, they nevertheless forged ahead, defying all obstacles. They created makeshift work stations in their bedrooms, basements, kitchen corners and other unlikely locations. Focused, hardworking and energetic, they applied their ingenuity to learn, explore, experiment and achieve. And as we see from this catalogue, they succeeded.

The work in this catalogue represents 16 of the School of Art and Design’s programs. In it we not only see the students’ finished products, but also images of how those projects evolved. These images help to reveal the creative process and the students’ individuality. Through it all, we sense their resilience and determination. Indeed, this vibrant catalogue— with its bright bold colors—pays homage to their optimism and extraordinary strength.

I offer congratulations to these students and to the families and friends who supported them throughout this difficult year. Congratulations as well to the stalwart Art and Design faculty whose own skills and ingenuity rose to the pandemic’s challenge and provided guidance to their students with diligence and care.

Dr. Joyce F. Brown President 2

CONSTRUCTION TAILORING TECHNIQUES DETAILS AND

TOM EVOLA

The Fashion Design department proudly showcases these garments created by Menswear students in their fourth-semester capstone classes. All graduating student garments are first designed in their portfolio presentation class. Students construct their muslin prototypes, conduct fittings, and refine their garments prior to making final patterns. Once these fully sewn muslin prototypes or “toiles,” have been perfected, students then cut each item using their final fabrications.

Every original item incorporates construction details and tailoring techniques refined and perfected throughout the entire Menswear program. A recognized and respected designer critiques each student’s design and selects the best of these original submissions for display in the FIT Graduating Student Exhibition. Past critics have included Ben Stubbington of Theory, Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein, Doug and Ben Burkman, John Bartlett, Tim Hamilton, Abasi and Rosborough and John Varvatos.

REFiNED PERFECTED AND

FIT GSE ’21

JEREMY ROBINSON

MENSWEAR

BRYAN WILSON JR

THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM 3

INFO

1.

RAGLAN SLEEVE MAGNET REVEAL SHIRT, EUPHORIA COLLECTION Mens 40 Cotton Polyester Blend Shirting, Polyester Lining

2.

HAND DYED ROCKSTAR CHAPS, EUPHORIA COLLECTION Mens 32 Hand Dyed Cotton Canvas

3.

WHOLE TOP DOUBLE BELT TROUSERS, EUPHORIA COLLECTION Mens 32 Corduroy, Polyester Lining

STATEMENT

@wheres_ty

PROJECTS

TYLER BUBB

1.

2.

For as long as I can remember, I have been creating visual art, from drawings, to paintings, to sculptures.

My goal was to create works of art that have a gravitational effect. Enough to pull you in and encapsulate your thoughts and feelings; to make you see the world differently. Using fabric as my medium, I approached this collection, dubbed “EUPHORIA,” the same way. With this collection, I was inspired by the idea of being in a euphoric state of mind. That feeling you get when looking onto the New York City skyline from a train window at night, or how it feels to listen to your favorite song in the dark. I am heavily influenced by artists such as Travis Scott and Frank Ocean, whose melodic shifts capture the same feeling. You can see how I embody this feeling with bold, alternating fabrics that are revealed within each garment.

FIT GSE ’21

MENSWEAR

4

INFO

1.

“WALKS OF LIFE” For this I wanted to draw multiple design inspirations from architecture , nature and a hint of drapery.

Adobe Illustrator

2.

“THE MASTERPIECES” The garments are all thought out to be pieces of art that follow my theme , while showing fit and proportion.

Adobe Illustrator

STATEMENT

@jaheemclarke www.romanostudios.store

PROJECTS

JAHEEM CLARKE 1.

When I design, it feels like adrenaline is charging through me, transforming inspiration into fully constructed garments. My love for humanity is what inspires my design process — from color development to draping and silhouette development. I strive to create menswear designs that bring peace and simplicity into the world. The silhouettes in my collection exhibit a carefully honed balance between religion, peace, simplicity, and the inspiration that I find in my community.

2.

FIT GSE ’21

MENSWEAR

5

INFO

1.

LIME GREEN SUIT, LUCID DREAMS COLLECTION 100% Wool from deadstock fabric

2.

THREE-PIECE SUIT WITH CORSET, LUCID DREAMS COLLECTION 100% Wool from deadstock fabric

3.

FLOOR-LENGTH COAT WITH FLARE TROUSERS, LUCID DREAMS COLLECTION 100% Wool from deadstock fabric

STATEMENT

@01388890

PROJECTS

JOHN CONSTANDINOU 1.

My graduating collection, “Lucid Dreams,” is inspired by space-age design and post-World War II American futurism. This specific period excites me because it evokes change, hope, and reimagined design in its entirety. From a young age, I’ve been obsessed with the fantasy and drama fashion has brought to my life. Fashion gives us all the power to escape into our own dream world, whatever that may be. I’m drawn to sharp silhouettes and want to push the boundaries of conventional menswear. I sourced luxurious deadstock wool fabrics to show that even the unwanted can produce something beautiful. I’ve combined classic full-canvas tailoring construction, draping, and patternmaking to create demi-couture garments.

I reinterpreted the classic three-piece suit by replacing the waistcoat with a corset; my floor-length coat features a dramatic collar paired with vibrant fuchsia trousers, and my space-age green suit features nothing but skin underneath for post-pandemic glamour.

FIT GSE ’21

2.

3.

MENSWEAR

6

INFO

@Shegz

STATEMENT PROJECTS

DEREK DUROJAIYE OLASEGUN 1.

ART/DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THREE FIGURES

2.

DIGITAL FLAT SKETCHES OF THREE SILHOUETTES

1.

I am a Bronx, New York-born bespoke designer who spent my formative years in Nigeria and England. I also spent time as a refugee in Canada before returning to the United States. I think I truly have a global design perspective. After the loss of my mother, I moved to Nigeria. My school required the students to wear a school uniform, so I took my uniform to the local tailor for alterations. I realized early on the power and impact clothing possessed as a tool for self-expression. From then on, my artistic desires and love for design began to grow. Bespoke tailoring allows me to seamlessly meld a passion for fashion and fitting, with a majestic aesthetic toward designing.

2.

FIT GSE ’21

MENSWEAR

7

INFO

1.

LOOK 13: INTERESTING IS CRAZY / EDDIE 100% Wool Flannel

2.

LOOK 7: HIGH COLLAR LOW STANDARDS / EDDIE 90% Wool 10% Cashmere Web Knitted & 100% Cotton Poplin

3.

LOOK 6: WOUNDED MENS COUTURE SET / EDDIE Shirt: 100% Cotton Poplin, 100% Silk Dupioni Trouser: 100% Cotton Twill, 95% Cotton, 5% Spandex Plain-weave

STATEMENT

@TOMEVOLA

PROJECTS

TOM EVOLA

Through my work, I comment on often-undiscussed or seemingly “dark” topics while simultaneously delivering an experience of the counterintuitive. My work is a direct response to a fierce focus and passion for our collective responsibility to maintaining our humanity.

By intertwining contradictory details and elements, I produce pieces that can be seemingly understated, ultimately functional, and completely artistic. My work is invested by an array of influences including furniture making, music, writing, and psychology. Designing menswear is the vessel that allows me to use my understanding of human dynamics. Those who exist outside our cultural mainstream are held close and dear to my awareness. I continue to find fashion to be an excellent medium for collaborating with friends and redefining my skills. My dedication to these skills will allow me, without apology, to lead and be driven by my heart, talent, and instinct.

FIT GSE ’21

1.

2.

3.

MENSWEAR

8

INFO

1.

DENIM & COLLARS Sample size Denim, Lace, Cotton Webbing

2.

SUMMER Sample Size Raw denim, Lace, Cotton jacquard

3.

M.O.L.L.E. DENIM Sample Size Surplus Wrangler Denim, Cotton Webbing

STATEMENT

@agebygage https://agebygage.myportfolio.com/work

PROJECTS

GABRIEL FLORES 1.

2.

I focus on our absolute dependence on nature and how far gone we are into the artificial. With researchbased design in subjects that range from psychology to international trade and ecology, I hope to enact positive change within the industry that is meant to last for generations to come. At the design stage of a textilebased product, almost all of the environmental impact will be determined in the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and disposal. My designs incorporate the information and resources provided by organizations such as Slow Factory, which promotes sustainability in the fashion industry. With the life cycle of a product in mind, my designs include interchangeable pockets between pieces, lasting construction, and use/reuse of natural fibers.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

9

INFO

@blu_b_y

PROJECTS

1.

MY AESTHETIC Digital

2.

MY STYLE Digital

STATEMENT

KHYRI FORD

I have always found my inspiration in two places: the outside world and the heart. From watches and clocks, to cassette tapes and CDs, and solely from the issues that rest on my heart, my inspiration is truly found everywhere. My menswear thesis collection is influenced by societal issues that need change, i.e., BLM, prison reform, helping essential workers, saving turtles and the environment. I used remnants of African fabrics and wove them together to create garments that reflect my love and belief in color and sustainability.

1.

2.

FIT GSE ’21

MENSWEAR

10

INFO

1.

MOSHE YOSSEL “PARASITE” COAT Leather

2.

MOSHE YOSSEL “ENGINEERS” COAT Leather, Fur, Corduroy

3.

MOSHE YOSSEL “HELLRAP” JACKET Denim, leather

STATEMENT

@Volusel

PROJECTS

ZACHARY FULLER 1.

2.

What stands out most in my work is the expression of architecture: starting at point A and finding the most effective way to point B, while simultaneously taking into consideration point Y and Z because of their extreme and dramatic qualities. This process has always played an integral role in my life. Like poetry, there is a narrative running through my work. I tell this story by flouting conventional menswear qualities, challenging gender norms, and embracing the freedom of creation. I enjoy playfully re-stating traditional techniques of menswear design while searching for opportunities to impart a rugged, luxurious side of masculinity.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

11

INFO

1.

HAPPY MIND Digital

2.

HAPPY MIND Fabric_Sewing

3.

HAPPY MIND Fabric_Sewing

STATEMENT

@jusun_lee_fitmw

PROJECTS

JUSUN LEE

1.

2.

I was born in Korea and the opportunity to earn a degree in Menswear Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology was pivotal as I prioritized the mastery of tailoring and patternmaking as crucial skills necessary for a successful career. I have a unique sense of design and creativity and a commitment to an elevated sense of color. As a developing designer, I find inspiration in everything around me, but most often in movies and collage arts. I hope that one day, people will open their closets and want to wear my designs. The imagination grounds my aesthetic and inspires me to see the world through a particularly unique perspective. I envision a future where my own business produces unique, quality clothing that makes people happy to share my menswear design vision.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

12

INFO

1.

MIRRORED JACKET

2.

DIVIDER INSERTED PLEATS TROUSERS

3.

INSERTED PLEATS COAT

STATEMENT

@j22lin yosefbenoit.com

PROJECTS

JOSEPH LIN

1.

2.

For the thesis collection, I showcase my heritage and my love for art — impressionism in particular. I wanted to showcase my craftsmanship of tailoring by bringing many small details to the outside as well as to the inside, using a bias tape binding method on all the seams, including trousers, jacket, and shirts. I combined a pastel color palette and soft fabrics with structured silhouette designs to bring masculinity and femininity together. Rather than doing two looks, I decided to bring six looks to showcase my visions and designs for a better understanding of “Yosef Benoit.” These six looks will be included with the other 20 looks for my Spring-Summer 2022 collection. These are the most challenging and demanding pieces that I have worked on so far. There will be more in the Fall-Winter 2022 collection. This is my identity as “Yosef Benoit.”

This is the beginning.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

13

INFO

1.

LOOK ONE: WESTERN TOP, SALVAGE DENIM BOTTOMS Shirt- hand dyed cotton Broadcloth Bottom- 12 oz salvage denim

2.

OVERCOAT Deep blue wool cashmere

3.

OVERSIZED PUFFER COAT Hand stuffed poly fill, Rayon/Poly Blend Shell

STATEMENT

@romeonucum https://www.romeonucum.com/

PROJECTS

ROMEO NUCUM

1.

2.

I find myself constantly toying with concepts and looking for inspiration in my everyday life. This to me is a part of my creative process; it never ends, it is just another stage of my process. Western films and Americana with a bit of an updated feel were a catalyst for my thesis collection this semester. I carefully choose earth tones while challenging myself with complex patternmaking and applying advanced sewing techniques to achieve all my garments.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

14

INFO

@brandonorlandorivera

PROJECTS

BRANDON RIVERA FALL WINTER 2021: ENGULFED Digital

STATEMENT

BRANDON RIVERA My craft is my attempt to comment on the inherent conflicts within the urban landscape and the industrial world. I take inspiration from global affairs and pay significant attention to modernist thinkers for the subject matter behind my garments. I began my journey studying graphic design under fine art instruction before enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

While studying fine art, I took time to understand textile construction through weaving, spinning, and dyeing materials. My construction techniques aim to emphasize structural integrity and bespoke details. This is examined through the use of traditional silhouettes alongside forward-thinking construction elements.

This synthesis is meant to place my work in the context of men’s tailoring in addition to pursuing my own interpretation of men’s dress through the critical fineart lens in which my studies were established.

FIT GSE ’21

1.

2.

MENSWEAR

15

INFO

1.

DOUBLE BREASTED “PETAL” COAT / A REAL FLOWER BOY 100% Wool

2.

FLOWER COAT / A REAL FLOWER BOY Wool / Cashmere Blend

STATEMENT

@IblameJeremy JeremyRobinson.work

PROJECTS

JEREMY ROBINSON

My second-year presentation, “A Real Flower Boy,” is my childhood love letter. I referenced the ’90s film “Juice,” vintage Giorgio Armani silhouettes, and Gordon Parks photography because they reminded me of what it felt like growing up. The aggressive bark of hip-hop culture in “Juice,” the casual-cool uniform of Armani, and the Black cultural camaraderie seen in Parks’ photography. Lorna Simpson’s collage work is always on my mind. I started collaging my inspiration images with 19th-century floral paintings that I came across, eventually inspiring me to use traditional menswear garments popular in the ’90s and to play with gathering, pleating, and shirring techniques to add volume and mimic the layering seen in flowers. The fabrications are focused on heavy wools and sturdy cottons made in formal pinstripes. Crisp whites and light crèmes contrast with charcoals and moss, made luxurious in cashmere and silk blends.

FIT GSE ’21

1.

2.

MENSWEAR

16

INFO

@_j0ser0driguez

PROJECTS

1.

”THAT’S SO 90’S” Denim, Chambray, suiting, neoprene, acrylic yarn

2.

”THAT’S SO 90’S” Denim, Chambray

STATEMENT

JOSE RODRIGUEZ

My thesis collection, “That’s So 90s,” was inspired by the ’90s. I was drawn to the music culture of that time.

Artists such as Tupac, LL Cool J, and DMX influenced my design process for this collection. I wanted to put a twist on the fashion that was seen during that time, such as using a casual fabric like denim and tailoring it into a pant while juxtaposing that with an oversized cropped denim jacket. I liked the idea of tailoring something as casual as denim, while creating a more relaxed look out of suiting fabric typically seen in tailoring. The star piece of this collection is my cropped shredded knit sweater. This piece elevates the collection and reinterprets the casual aesthetic of the ’90s. One thing that holds true with all my work is that there is always a play on proportion and fluidity, with the element of wearability.

FIT GSE ’21

1.

2.

MENSWEAR

17

PROJECTS

1.

IN THE SHELL - PALETTE, FIGURES, INSPIRATION Art/Digital Presentation Board

2.

IN THE SHELL – FLAT DRAWINGS OF SILHOUETTES Art/Digital Presentation Board

STATEMENT

HARRISON SANDBERG My design style has been shaped by New York City and my love of the urban environment. Growing up, I drew inspiration from the endurance needed to thrive in the city. The constant movement across an urban landscape requires durable and well-made garments.

Skateboarding and photography are large influences, both demanding high levels of utility, accessibility, and movement. Harsh conditions call for adaptability and performance, all of which inform the design process of my work.

1.

2.

FIT GSE ’21

MENSWEAR

18

INFO

1.

TECH COAT Hand waxed duck canvas

2.

MILITARY PANT Chambray

3.

HIGHROLLER SHIRT Cotton shirting with corduroy stripe

STATEMENT

@matteo.staltari

PROJECTS

MATTEO STALTARI 1.

2.

I strive to create an ethos combining utilitarian garments with an awareness of mental health.

Committed to increasing society’s awareness of our responsibility towards one another, “Hard Times” aims to provide comfortable vehicles in which free thought, function, expression, and luxury can exist collectively.

My inspiration is often drawn from references to countercultural movements, neo-expressionist art, music, film, and street style.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

19

INFO

@naterthecreator www.natestern.com

PROJECTS

1.

FURIOSA COLLECTION - PALETTE, FIGURES, ORIGINAL PRINTS

2.

FURIOSA COLLECTION - GARMENTS

STATEMENT

NATHAN STERN I have been captivated by the world of fashion ever since recognizing that the clothing one chooses to wear signals everything about who you are — it’s the ultimate form of self-expression. In 2016, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics, but after working at a marketing agency for two years, I realized that I needed to step away from my salaried life and earn a creative role as a designer. With each collection, my goal is to push the conventions of menswear. My designs emphasize utility, durability, and a sense of survivalism.

The silhouettes in my collections showcase a visual aesthetic that gives the customer a sense of boldness and spunk.

1.

2.

FIT GSE ’21

MENSWEAR

20

STATEMENT

PROJECTS

JACOB TALLMAN 1.

BABY BLUE DOMED SHIRT WITH BABY BLUE FANNY CARGOS Size 40; Shirt- 50% Cotton 50% Polyester, 100% Cotton; Pant- 50% Cotton 50% Polyester, 100% Cotton

2.

OBSIDIAN TRIPLE THREAT CROPPED COAT WITH LIBERTY DOMED SHIRT AND BROWN HALF-MOON TROUSERS Size 40; Coat- 100% Wool, 100% Polyester, Shirt100% Cotton, 100% Polyester; Trousers- 100% Wool, 100% Polyester, 100% Cotton

3.

NAVY TRIPLE THREAT CROPPED COAT WITH LIBERTY DOMED SHIRT AND BROWN HALFMOON TROUSERS Size 40; Coat- 100% Wool, 100% Polyester, Shirt- 100% Cotton, 100% Polyester; Trousers- 100% Wool, 100% Polyester, 100% Cotton

1.

2.

3.

I am a menswear designer who focuses on making garments that create a balance of color and shapes, piecing, new closure systems, nature, and complex ideologies. For this collection, I infused athleisure with retro-futurism while also taking influence from modern sportswear, traditional menswear tailoring, and my father, who is an abstract artist. Simply put, my overarching philosophy is to create collections that give the wearer a feeling of equilibrium and balance with themselves. My goal is to make people feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable. I believe this state of “confident balance: can be achieved by making garments that are elegant yet casual, as well as functional yet dashing.

FIT GSE ’21

MENSWEAR

21

INFO

1.

3RD SEMESTER FINAL LOOK COLLAGE Mixed Media Fashion Design

2.

3RD SEMESTER FINAL LOOK DETAIL SHOTS Mixed Media Fashion Design

3.

3RD SEMESTER FINAL DETAIL SHOTS Mixed Media Fashion Design

STATEMENT

@elliottiemann elliottiemann.com

PROJECTS

ELLIOT TIEMANN

I am a Kentucky-born, New York City-based designer.

Fueled by early ventures in fine art as well as garment reconstruction and alteration, I aim to create more than just products, never forgetting the necessity of function. I am committed to cultivating an aesthetic by reconceptualizing the mundane through unexpected techniques. Influenced by uniform and tradition, but never wanting solely to remake, my work takes on a Lynchian quality — distorting classic ideas to create something new and surreal. My definition of tradition is informed by opposing upbringings in the rural south and in New York City. My work embodies a juxtaposition of raw Americana and modern elegance. Design often falls into either an emulation of the past or a prediction of the future; my work explores how the future differs relative to what period you occupy. I design for a future world, as if from past perspectives.

FIT GSE ’21

1.

2.

3.

MENSWEAR

22

INFO

1.

SOCIETAS DRACUL Size 40 Mens Wool, cotton, linen

2.

SOCIETAS DRACUL Size 40 Mens

3.

SOCIETAS DRACUL Size 40 Mens Wool, Leather

STATEMENT

@max_wald

PROJECTS

MAX WALD

1.

2.

In order to create a collection, my first instinct is to look into the past. Humanity’s compelling yet morose history is a constant source of inspiration for me as a menswear designer. I allow this initial inspiration to blossom into a full-fledged apparatus of ideas, borrowing aesthetics and concepts from film, literature, and philosophy. I long for my work to feel completely detached from the mundanity of reality. Instead, I explore subjects surrounding the occult, the eccentric, and the spiritual. My design process is best described as loosely stringing abstract ideas together to create a cohesive, immersive world. I attempt to create clothing that instantaneously transports the wearer to this fictitious place. Antique textiles, innovative construction, and flattering silhouettes intertwine to create a refreshingly imaginative take on traditional menswear. In a world that tears away our sense of bewilderment and creativity, I create clothing for the escapist within us all.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

23

INFO

1.

FLIGHT 718 TO TOKYO Swatch selection ranges from my collection fabrics range from 100% Japanese cotton for knits and Storm Fit nylon water resistant fabrics for pants.

2.

FLIGHT 718 TO TOKYO The multi-pocketed pant in muslin is marked with future style-lines to develop a balance from the waist down to the hem.

STATEMENT

@BrillysWorld

PROJECTS

BRYAN WILSON JR

I was born in the Bronx to Jamaican parents. At age 8, my family moved to south Florida, a turnaround from the city, unlike anything I’d ever seen before. All I knew was New York City. From looking out the window, I have always been inspired by architecture. I felt as if a piece of me had gone missing. Following my first college degree, I returned to New York, pursuing a design career at FIT. My aesthetic originates in my streetwearinfluenced past. It has evolved toward a minimalist approach, combining elements of functional tech-wear and classic tailoring with originality and individuality. My designs fuse the attitude and nostalgia of New York’s street culture, inspired by animation characters, infused with Japanese street culture. I developed my second trademarked label, Arcoa. Each authentic design is a pursuit of innovation. Hopefully, this sentiment can be seen throughout the evolution and uprising of Arcoa.

FIT GSE ’21

1.

2.

MENSWEAR

24

INFO

1.

BEAUTY OF KOREA Illustrator

2.

MOOD BOARD, COLORWAYS, AND FIGURES Illustrator and drawing pad (digital)

3.

SHIRTS AND PANTS Cotton Denim

STATEMENT

@Yang_mozzi and @eimyt_official https://eimytyang.wixsite.com/website

PROJECTS

EIMYT YANG

1.

Nothing makes my heart pound more rapidly or my mind race like creating something out of the lines, colors, and inspirations around me. Architecture and nature are my main inspiration. After I create a mood board based on these, I pull the shapes, lines, and colors out and apply them to the fashion. Matching different colors together and exploring the concepts of masculinity, androgyny, and gender fluidity is the most important part for me during the design process. I love to design gender fluid fashion that provides people more options for authentic self-expression.

2.

FIT GSE ’21

3.

MENSWEAR

25

www.fitnyc.edu/gse @fitgse2021_Menswear