Nadia Lung, Pete Karras and Kapono Chung are the innovative minds behind the New York-based creative firm COMBO. Earlier this year, they teamed up with the CFDA to create the comprehensive branding for the Fashion Future Graduate Showcase that debuted in New York in May. We spoke with the trio about the concept and identity behind the branding of #FFGS and heard their thoughts on the importance of giving graduates a stage to speak from.
Describe your concept for the #FFGS program identity?
Nadia Lung, Kapono Chung & Pete Karras: With each graduate coming from different backgrounds and producing a wide range of eclectic work, we became heavily inspired by the bustling energy of a marketplace. Considering the concept of the show revolved around the future and emerging designers, we liked the idea of a future marketplace that evoked the same energy but felt unified and organized under one theme. Simultaneously, the identity, similar to the space, had to house a diverse range of information. Inspired by the hashtag and its cultural relevance, we used it as a modular organizing system for information as well as a simple mark representing the Fashion Future Graduates.
What excites you most about FFGS?
Nadia Lung: The ideas. Most, if not all of the collections start to address important issues whether it’s gender identity, cultural awareness, or the move towards sustainable fashion. It’s exciting to know that future fashion graduates are not only great makers, but great thinkers.
How important is it, in your view, to have such a showcase for graduating talent?
Nadia Lung: Students are often sidelined because of experience and age. With a showcase, there is physical representation of work, of their talent, and their endeavors that made everything happen. It’s important to acknowledge hard work and creative thinking.
One wish for fashion’s future?
Nadia Lung & Kapono Chung: We hope fashion future continues to challenge perspectives and create solutions for larger issues. We also think there could be an opportunity for collaborations between the students. This could happen between the fashion graduates or in combination with Graphic Design/Communication students.
