Informa Markets Fashion Highlights Work from FIT Graduates

In an especially challenging time to be entering the workforce, Informa Markets Fashion has partnered with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to highlight to work of this year’s Fashion Design BFA graduates. Live through November 1, the digital exhibition provides the recent grads with exposure to major retailers, brands and industry leaders on the lookout for emerging talent.

Live through November 1, the digital exhibition provides the recent grads with exposure to major retailers, brands and industry leaders on the lookout for emerging talent.

The FIT Future of Fashion 2020 Showcase, presented as a dedicated hub within Coterie and Children’s Club digital marketplaces, will feature collections from 75 student designers across five areas of specialization: sportswear, special occasion, knitwear, intimate apparel and childrenswear. Collections will be promoted through a combination of walkthrough videos and design image galleries. Each marketplace is curated by fashion directors including Colleen Sherin, president of Coterie; Tommy Fazio, fashion director at NuOrder; and Danelle Brown, event director at Children’s Club. Additional exposure will include dedicated marketing and social media spotlights.

“With the opportunities and comprehensive reach our digital platform affords this season as the fashion community convenes, we are beyond thrilled to partner with FIT and shine a spotlight on the upcoming talent coming out of the 2020 graduating class,” says Nancy Walsh, president of Informa Markets Fashion. “Our partnership with FIT is the perfect way to take our goal of powering-up brand and product discovery to the next level by giving retailers a peek into the true future of fashion: the next generation of designers.”

The Future of Fashion, annually celebrated at FIT as a live runway show featuring select looks by Fashion Design BFA graduates, was presented this year as a virtual gallery, in response to event restrictions related to COVID-19. In addition to FIT faculty, the designs were judged by a panel of FIT alumni, including Danielle Bernstein, Ken Downing, Candy Pratts Price, Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Robert Verdi.  Prior to the pandemic, students benefitted by mentoring from esteemed designers who served as industry critics covering the five specializations: Reem Acra for special occasion; Dennis Basso, B Michael, Daniel Vosovic, Michael Colovos and Karolina Zmarlak for sportswear; Maggie Bacon for intimate apparel; Jaci Carley and Dushane Noble for knitwear; and Molly Gambler for childrenswear.

“I have no doubt that this year’s graduates will drive positive industry change and help define the future of fashion,” says Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT. “To partner with Informa Markets Fashion to further promote FIT to an even larger pool within the fashion community, at a time when connectivity is challenging yet crucial, can really help propel these young designers forward into the next stage of their careers.”