The Art Institutes Rocked the Runway at Charleston Fashion Week!

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When Charleston Fashion Week founder, Ayoka Lucas, introduced the Art Institute show, she said that this was the "future of fashion." Well, I couldn't agree with her more. These talented student designers will become emerging designers and move on to be featured designers. The caliber of the work on the runway was skillfully produced but equally important was the plethora of ideas presented. There was vision and thought, manipulated through textiles and fitted to the body.

The runway show opened with four looks from Art Institute of Atlanta students, Karimah Ali and Zuri Zander (first four looks in slideshow above). Zuri worked with chiffon and an African print, layering the two and creating structure with horsehair. Karimah delivered a modern and youthful twist to classic styles. Ai Atlanta Director of Fashion, Dr. Hammonds and President Myvett were gleaming with pride, as was Ms. English and myself who worked closely with Karimah and Zuri. 

Allow me to explain something - the process. Atlanta / Charleston student designers presented sketches which were created in muslin and fit to the models of their choice. Later, the looks were made in their respective fabrics. Students also worked independently with members of the hair and make-up teams to create the overall looks of their collections. Students were responsible for every detail and decision-making aspect throughout this entire process. It's these "real-world" experiences that are so crucial and instrumental to success and I commend all the parties involved for providing them to our young designers.

The Charleston students gave an impressive runway as well. From ready-to-wear to conceptual and sculptural looks, Ai Charleston rocked the runway with a dynamic level of modernity and sophistication. The fashion faculty, led by Ms. Dominca Baird, is as supportive and vested as we are. Two teams working for the same cause is a winning combination!

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RAGTRADE ATLANTA 2015 RECAP

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PHOTOS: Kennyatta Collins. Fashion Photographer for Premier XI Photography

The Atlanta fashion scene exploded at last week's second annual RAGTRADE ATLANTA fashion event. Five emerging designers, accompanied by two student designers from the Art Institute of Atlanta, a Ragtrade partner, presented impressive and exciting runway collections. Art Institute designers, Zonia Santander and Andre Bryson gave us a glimpse of the talent within the Art Institute of Atlanta with a mini-collection of five sensational looks each. Brendan M Combs opened the designer showcase with an edgy and futuristic collection, followed by the chic and sophisticated style of Sylvia Mollie. Returning Ragtrade designer, Natt Taylor wowed the audience with her asymmetrical peplums and Zachary/Nathaniel took us to a place of dark glamour and haunted beauty. Closing the runway, Edmond Newton, who is killing it on the current season of Project Runway, gave us one sleeved looks, sheers and flowing dresses. America's Next Top Model, Bello Sanchez and his baby blues, graced the runway for both Brendan M Combs and Zachary/Nathaniel.

Ragtrade Atlanta is leaving its mark on the city and earning its place as a valuable resource for emerging design talent through a series of year-round industry events. The Ragtrade Atlanta showcase on October 14th held at the Georgia Freight Depot was a sold-out event. It brought together a diverse group of designers, sponsors, partners and guests, proving that fashion is global, transcending boundaries, unifying lives and embracing differences. Ragtrade Atlanta was a celebration of fashion, art and culture. Keep an eye on them as they continue to grow and evolve, Ragtrade Atlanta may very well be "Fashion's Next Voice."

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AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL Bello Sanchez 'catwalks' at RAGTRADE Atlanta

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FOLLOWING NEW YORK FASHION WEEK, “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL” FINALIST BELLO SANCHEZ WALKS FOR BRENDAN M COMBS AGAIN AT RAGTRADE ATLANTA

“America’s Next Top Model”, Cycle 22 finalist Bello Sanchez is catwalking for Savannah-based designer Brendan M Combs during the RAGTRADE Atlanta 2015 runway show at the Georgia Freight Depot on Wednesday, October 14.  Doors open at 5 pm and the show starts at 7 pm. Visit Ragtrade Atlanta or Brendan M Combs for more information.

“I am thrilled to be working with Brendan again,” says Bello, who recently walked for the designer at New York Fashion Week for the Spring/Summer 2016 collections.  “His pieces have a defining, modern edge in a sleek, well-tailored way.”

Tyra Banks said of Bello Sanchez: “Beautiful, polarizing you will be both loved and hated.  And that's what makes a star a star.”

RAGTRADE Atlanta, in partnership with Art Institute of Atlanta, features the top emerging and student designers from the Southeast.

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RAGTRADE ATLANTA - OCT. 14

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RAGTRADE Atlanta in Partnership with the Art Institute of Atlanta Returns to Host a Week of Fashion in Atlanta

RAGTRADE Atlanta will host their 2015 Featured Runway Show on Oct. 14 at the Georgia Freight Depot. The premier fashion event will include an industry-quality runway show featuring the latest spring/summer 2016 collections from a hand-selected group of today's top emerging designers and students in the Southeast. Featured designers for the RAGTRADE Atlanta 2015 Runway Show will include Project Runway Season 14 contestant, Edmond Newton, 2015 Belk Southern Designer Showcase Winner, Natt Taylor, The City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs 2015 Emerging Fashion Designer Grant recipient, Kenya Freeman of Sylvia Mollie, SCAD alumni and Charleston Fashion Week 2014 Emerging Designer, Zachary Howell of Zachary/Nathaniel and SCAD alumni and protege of National Design Award winner Behnaz Sarafpour, Brendan Combs. RAGTRADE Atlanta in partnership with the Art Institute of Atlanta will also present an exclusive student show titled, Fashion's Next Voice, which will showcase designs from two top talents from the Art Institute of Atlanta's world-renowned Fashion Design program. The Fashion's Next Voice student designers will include Andre Bryson and Zonia Santander. Doors open at 5pm and runway shows begin promptly at 7pm.

For complete event information, schedules, details & to purchase tickets, check HERE!

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