Mario Hugo and Jennifer Marie Gonzalez are the creative masterminds behind the Dumbo-based multi-disciplinary creative firm Hugo + Marie. They were not only responsible for the 2016 relaunch of CFDA.com, but also built the beautiful and comprehensive digital space for the Fashion Future Graduate Showcase. They tell us about their FFGS digital concept and what they loved about the project so much.
Describe your concept for the FFGS digital destination?
Mario Hugo: Our goal was to provide the CFDA the ability to showcase both information and logistics related to the new destination, especially key dates and program information, participating schools, and to enable users to explore future graduates by filtering via specialty, school, and area of focus.
What were some of the things you felt were necessary to incorporate into the site?
Mario Hugo: Highlighting multiple areas of focus and going beyond classic categorization for future graduates was important. We wanted to place prominence on some of the less conventional aspects of design including technical, textiles, and knitwear.
What do you hope is the main effect/takeaway?
Jennifer Gonzalez: By enabling future graduates to be featured in a digital space in addition to the expo, we aim to increase exposure as well as give the industry greater insight into an upcoming generation of talent.
What excites you most about FFGS?
Jennifer Gonzalez: Supporting students in such a critical time of their lives is exciting. Providing access to strategic partnerships, programs, press, and the public eyes is hopefully encouraging for young designers looking to build a brand and business.
How important is it, in your view, to have such a showcase for graduating talent?
Jennifer Gonzalez: Showcasing graduating talent is very important. Fashion tends to be an insular industry and talented students with fewer connections need more opportunities to display their work and area of focus. We feel strongly that hard work in school should be rewarded with opportunity.
One wish for the outcome of the showcase?
Jennifer Gonzalez: Student capsule collections in collaboration with established brands would be cool.
One wish for fashion’s future?
Jennifer Gonzalez: That we can truly crack a sustainability model and change fast-fashion.
