Fashion Faculty Exhibit Bold, Singular Pieces

Not every fashion designer has a distinct point of view—some people set trends and others recycle them, making fresh ideas palatable for the masses.

Take one look at Fashion Studies, an exhibition showcasing pieces by Pratt Fashion Department faculty, and you’ll understand the difference. This work is bold and unconventional. The show, running through December 12, celebrates the faculty behind Pratt Institute’s new Fashion curriculum, which pushes designers to develop their own artistic visions.

Fashion Studies spotlights faculty members’ own ideas, providing a taste of what designers from Pratt will be learning. The exhibition is curated by Shannon Bell Price, assistant chair to the Fashion Department and former associate research curator at The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fashion Department Chair Jennifer Minniti, who arrived at Pratt in 2011, has transformed the program; students are now creating collections every academic year as opposed to just senior year. This approach pushes students to develop a focus—whether in accessories, swimwear, sportswear, or some other arena—rather than facing heavier requirements in a broad set of fields. Minniti wants them to develop their own unique tastes and perspectives—a mentality she calls “concept-led,” which is certainly exemplified by the faculty in her department.

The show is being held in The Rubelle and Norman Schafler Gallery, 200 Willoughby Avenue.

Photos: Timothy Mulcare