Watch this Talent! Inside the 2018 Fashion Future Graduate Showcase
July 11, 2018
RACHEL GLICKSBERG

















Peng Ye, Parsons School of Design
Church Iglesias & Denise J. Ramos, Academy of Art University
Ian Greer, Fashion Institute of Technology
HyunKyeong Jung, Parsons School of Design
Changsheng Yu, Academy of Art University
Ellie Gilchrist, Savannah College of Art and Design
Liam Cliff, California College of the Arts
Mario Chinchilla, Academy of Art University
Kijeong Choi, Pratt Institute
Jimmy Nuo Chen, Parsons School of Design
Clara Belevan, Fashion Institute of Technology
Amy Yu Chen & Claudia Poh, Parsons School of Design
Ying Yang, Pratt Institute
Qian Wu, Pratt Institute
Bowen Hu, Parsons School of Design
Kwai Yuen Chan, Parsons School of Design
Avery Albert, Rhode Island School of Design
Arianna Alexis, Parsons School of Design
Hajin Kim, Pratt Institute
Taliah Leslie, Pratt Institute
Erica Kim, Rhode Island School of Design
Zhouyi Li, Academy of Art University
Anne Li, Parsons School of Design
Sierra Snow, Kent State University
Zhihan Liu, Academy of Art University
Emily McCarty & Hanh Nguyen, Academy of Art University
Marissa Petteruti, Parsons School of Design
Ian Satkowski, Kent State University
Katrina Simon, Parsons School of Design
Mintallah Tahir, Parsons School of Design
Jennifer Wang, California College of the Arts
Lusha Wang, Academy of Art University
Yiru Wang, Parsons School of Design
Kihyun Kim, Fashion Institute of Technology
Annie Kim, Parsons School of Design
Britt Luttio, Parsons School of Design
Jessica Ching Chi Lai, Academy of Art University | MFA
Jeannifer Tirtamarta, Academy of Art University
Dèshon Varnado, Parsons School of Design
Cecilia Zhu, Rhode Island School of Design
Charles Jianrong Qui, Parsons School of Design
Lou Rodgers, Rhode Island School of Design
Maria Nava, Savannah College of Art and Design
Marisa Chentakul, Academy of Art University
Mengzhu Li, Parsons School of Design
William Stautberg, Parsons School of Design
Yufei Liu, Rhode Island School of Design
Zehua Wu, Rhode Island School of Design
Zewei Hong, California College of the Arts
Aidan Barrow, Savannah College of Art and Design
For the second consecutive year, the CFDA teamed up with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to present the Fashion Future Graduate Showcase (FFGS), a two-day event that featured top fashion graduates from eight American fashion colleges.
The participating schools were Academy of Art University, California College of the Arts, Fashion Institute of Technology, Kent State University, Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, and Savannah College of Art and Design.
Fifty-three designers were selected; the showcase included recent graduates from both BFA and MFA programs.
Stationed at Industria Studios this past Monday and Tuesday, FFGS presented the featured designers with access to industry—including buyers, press, stylists, and hiring teams. For many, this is their prized first entry into the industry. For the industry, FFGS, made possible by Reebok, is an ideal way to discover new talent.
The designers unanimously agreed that FFGS was an exceptional opportunity to both meet industry professionals and create relationships with peers. FFGS also gave them the ability to work on personal growth and develop necessary skills as they make their entry into the industry. Parsons grad and womenswear designer Yiru Wang was inspired to step out of her comfort zone. “I’m not really a talkative person,” she said, “so this opportunity helped me challenge myself to talk people about me and my brand, and I appreciated the opportunity.”
For FIT grad Kihyun Kim, who hails from South Korea and focuses eveningwear, FFGS plays a considerable role in his professional trajectory. He was able to meet new people and network, particularly with stylists. Kim explained that this was the first time he had the opportunity to exchange business cards with people he admires, and he was excited to receive a request to borrow a dress.
RISD grad and womenswear designer Avery Albert valued the face-time she had with show-goers. “It is a great way to express your concepts and get people to really understand what you’ve done, and why it’s important to you,” she said. Albert clearly made a strong impression- she landed an interview to work for a major American designer on day one!
View portraits of some of the 2018 FFGS students, and learn more about the program here.
Photos by Andres Altamirano