Peace, Love, and Hippiness

It’s springtime in Seattle, and for a fashion writer that means it’s fashion show season—and our favorite—student fashion shows. Like any opening exhibition or thesis project, it’s a time to get excited, embrace your inner proud mama, and feel some serious inspiration from our local, young talent. That is, if the long-ass corporate-produced recruiter video pitch, constant intercom recruitment announcements and enrollment application swapping frenzy doesn’t kill the energy for you.

The Art Institute hosted their 11th annual student runway event entitled "Peace, Love and Happiness," where students exhibited an impressive 10-piece line runway show. This was quite the demanding production for a student exhibit (usually they’re 5-7 pieces), though some of the lines appeared a bit schizophrenic at times, oscillating from snowboarding/ski gear to casual menswear between models.

While miscellaneous and generally inconsistent for a "collection," to their credit, most of the pieces were well-tailored, creative and complex. Let’s remember that it’s a student fashion show—and with that brings free rein for exploration and a little randomness. The show production was equally impressive—from the glossy programs, lighting, effects, and overall organization—all very professional and fun (the '60s psychedelic theme helps in that department).

Other collections, however, were coherent and focused. Michelle Lateste’s produced darling (and technically complicated) geometric petal skirts and pastel sweetheart tops, albeit derivative of the themes and applications from Project Runway’s Portland pleat-queen, Leanne Marshall. And to no surprise, she swooped up the Art Institute's in-house award for "Next Project Runway Star". Others were more fashion forward. Out of 25 designers, our favorite line combined floaty floor-length mixed patterned skirts with structured, embellished halter tops by Irene Lim. Totally simple, sweet hippie-chic. And original. Now if the Art Institute’s administrators would just cool it on the hardcore recruitment blitz, then their show would feel like the real deal.