Seattlest's New York Fashion Academy Runway Debut
Models for Pippiotta, waiting to walk at the NYFA show.
Writing about fashion from the sidelines of the runway doesn’t always give us the full picture of a collection‘s journey--all the drama, trauma, trepidation, and anticipation that goes on behind the scenes in a designer’s debut. But this year we were invited to step out from the audience and onto the runway as a guest model for the New York Fashion Academy’s 5th annual fashion show, Prima La Luce, and we got a whole new perspective from our experience behind the scenes and walking the runway.
Two days and counting ‘till the all-student run fashion show at Seattle’s only independent fashion school, the anticipation and energy was palpable as thirteen student designers busily prepared for their debut featuring their 4-8 piece line. In between patterns flailing into the air, antique sewing machines humming over the tunes of the Buzzcocks and our fittings, we got a chance to get to know the graduating class of NYFA. From Art Institute transfer students, working single moms, Boeing engineers, burlesque babes, and quirky indie chicks, it seems that NYFA attracts a different kind of student--those who are more inspired by their own individual notions of fashion than by mainstream dictations. From functional "geek wear" for techy professional women and glamorously green eco-wear to flirty baby doll collections inspired by Seattle’s burgeoning burlesque scene, the lines are all whimsically Seattle at heart, each marching to the beat of a different drum. Literally…like, to the Ting Tings.
Aside from NYFA’s growing reputation as Seattle’s (once) best kept secret for fashion design and construction education--we already know this based on their two-time win of Project Red Dress student design competition--each designer’s collection additionally exhibits a distinct and clear sense of brand identity and individuality. Candace Cantaloupe (yes, her real name), a self-taught seamstress drawn to NYFA for its unique practice of draping (a European method of pattern-making based on sculpting to the body form) caught our eyes from across the dressing room as one of these quintessentially eccentric Seattle designers. Based on 1920's and 30's sportswear for lady-like tomboys, her line, Pippiotta, featured feminine felt skull caps resembling the revolutionary 1920’s ear-length haircuts, casual collared shirts, wool short-suits, and drapy dresses, suitable for both work and bicycling to work (needless to say, NOT in the REI kind of way).
And most NYFA student’s motives aren‘t exactly commercial either. Countaloupe plans to take Pippiotta to Etsy.com and continue hand-making her pieces for conscientious consumers. “I’ll start small but hope to see it form a non-creepy, cool lady cult following”.
The finale of the show featured Millie Vixen, a line by Camille Goodman, another semi-self taught seamstress seeking NYFA’s notorious "ass-kicking" design discipline. The baby doll vintage-inspired women’s wear was modeled by a few members of the Atomic Bombshell burlesque troop, with life-size cupcake and pseudo-taxidermy bluebird headbands and a glitter dance party spectacular to boot. Her view on the Seattle fashion scene also rests with her reliance on Seattle’s respect and patronage of local boutiques, and Seattle’s underground, secret love affair with glamour.
