FORWARD IN FASHION

                                 FORWARD IN FASHION

Forward in FASHION Two Pratt fashion students made their senior thesis collections metaphors for bigger issues within society, challenging the ideas of feminism and "fast fashion." by AUDREY THAMES hen first watching Ratt Institutes 117th fashion turing 18 handpicked graduate students, to say some may have missed the mark. A hand déägns contained completely she slip dresses and blouse, which even combined with jackets, left little or no to the imagination. One design wrawed mock during a retted, that draped down to their kids. Hcmver, critics and industry experts, including Wt curator Andrew Baton, argue that students got to think outside of the bc« and push the em Åope as sible. They urge students to require mlvant&Ae ofthéir final opp: quantity to explosive in their designs entering the important world, where need to fill in the direction of a longtime brand or design* hile a couple of students fully conveyed their artistic vision onto their V V do thin bothers simply cr*ted well-crafted collections full with wide-leg pants, plaid coats, silk midi dresses and of course, at- leisure. Surely, the Icoks would *Silly sell straight off the runway aml might be placed in an assortment of retailers. but, there have been two students collections out not only for the aesthetic but the inspiration behind them. Margaret Burton challenged the griming •fast-fashion industry while Jihyun Kim challenged feminism T days designers are to know more the power of the År I platform, causing them to speak on societal issues through the do thing IITtexI of just collections, they're metaphors for larg4 world issues, starting from politics to gem14 to culture and even consum4ism. by Air's Shayne Oliviertcok advantage of both yearly the M cases to confront such issues, as he's notorious for the claim within the past. His Fall 2016 ready-to-age r collection shed light on the refugee crisis through use and graphic statements like his Spring X)16 expresæd b*uty and *gender identity by making •beautifully• by adding elements like bras and drzs€& nd one can't reference NavY01k Fashion Week Spring X)17 without mentioning przid4tiaI candidate Hillary Clinton. The week was flléd with kickoffs and campaign fundraisers, co-lost by other powerful like Barbara Streisand and Anna Wintour, as attendees declared they're "with HER! a part of designers contributed to the women, their Hillary t-shirt designs, Tory Burch, Gurung, PublicSchooI, Marchesa and lots of otbærs. While many celebrities that have strongly expressed their support were also in attendance, the events of the week highlighted not only reasons to follcnv I*d, but enccura*d generally balming registration present. he conscious trend easily transferred to the design students, who in essence, are the voice of the longer-term far beyond the style industry. The thesis of Mar* ret was actually the fast fashion companies. Ultimately the desigærwas not a fun of the rushed productionofretailers like Zara and Forever 21. Burton addressed the •environment thanks to people buying too many clothes— only contributing to the prevailing environmental crisis. additionally, she touched on the incontrovertible fact that the expedited production of this clothing isn't done just by machine, but by people, like those in India.

As fast fashion up trends and shortens seasons, cc«um- often plan to discard out of style" clothing at consignment and thrift stores in exchange for money. However, those self-same Storz are FC«ed to stay up, leading many items to be placed in landfills and incinerators. within the Pratt student, a whole Iiæ mack only out of CK- constructed items by family and friends and located in thrift stores. disguising what they once she infused all of the lab4s and prints. One ofh4 standout prizes included a pair of jeans can- structéd of recycled jean P)tickets collection also included deconstruct«l åirting jersey dresses and bcqmIA jackets.  Kim was theIucky of the Lb Claibome Award Concept to *product, providing her with 52510) to develop her collection post-graduation. it had been welPdeservecI, graduating senior took inspiration from a painting by Matisæ and Picasso and cockeyed them onto garments The artists themæves hold important significance thanks to controversy over both men's stance on women. The argument remains today, as historians find new discoveries within Picasso was first viewed as a misogynist and playboy that compressed "omen through his paintings. Yet, never studies prove that textually donated and money to women's campaign groups and portrayed as powerful, rath4 than submissive. Similarly, Henri Matisæ was accused of violating the feminine body and expressing male dominance through his large presence of nude women But again, new studies aim his work actually exemplified conventional imperialist attitudes towards French colonies of Africa, criticizing the contra ling, exploitive, I invasive nature of males. But, Kim main to require paintings of men by celebrating- men and form them on the h4 female perspective as a meal of emp: moment. She Ily created garments not a costume but still art, providing a museum feel. Her prized pize was a camvæ maxi dress with paint stroke across the TCP, while the rest oftbæ collection was comprised of constructed, parents and flouncy hemline in ft rose and ivory. The designer gu en accessorized models with plastic padding Dsg dolls, sta as another symbol of women and feminine  The idea of designers using their physical and theoretical I platforms to bring awareness to large issues proves that fashion is quite merely making clothing and piecing a pleasant showcase.