CCA presents the 2017 Fashion Experience

San Francisco, Calif., April 24, 2017 — The undergraduate Fashion Design Program at California College of the Arts is pleased to announce the 2017 Fashion Experience, which takes place Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m. on the Back Lot of CCA’s San Francisco campus located at 1111 Eighth Street (at 16th & Wisconsin). The event is free and open to the public.

Helmed by new chair John Bauernfeind, the Fashion Design Program has opted to revamp the traditional capstone event in favor of a fresh perspective. This year’s program takes a contemporary approach to customary runway shows by creating an interactive experience and utilizing street-cast models who better represent the diverse people and places that contribute to fashion as we know it. The event will kick off with an hour-long presentation of professionally juried collections from 10 graduating designers before opening up into individual showcases with designers and their models.

“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the newest voices in the fashion world with an entirely new performative and interactive experience,” said Bauernfeind. “Our hope is to address the relationship between fashion and various cultures and social identities while debuting this new generation of audacious designers.” This year’s event also highlights CCA’s dedication to cross-disciplinary collaboration with a stage-setting structure created by Architecture students as well as corresponding opening receptions for a number of commencement and thesis events throughout the college and nearby venues.

About CCA's Fashion Design Program

Established in 1996, CCA's Fashion Design Program is an idea-driven, craft-based course of undergraduate study that emphasizes design concepts and skill development. The goal is to produce designers of daring originality who are willing to explore across disciplines and contribute to fashion as an aspect of modern art and culture.

Students gain technical expertise in pattern making, sewing, draping, and fashion illustration. They develop creative solutions to the challenges of sustainability by designing fashions that respect the environment and preserve native cultures. Alumni are working in all aspects of the industry for companies such as John Varvatos, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap Inc., Gymboree, J. Crew / Madewell, Levi Strauss & Co., TIBI, Ralph Lauren, Narciso Rodriguez, Athleta, Badgley Mischka, and Thom Browne. Many have developed their own firms in the United States and abroad.

About California College of the Arts

Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) educates the creative leaders of tomorrow to make powerful contributions to society. CCA’s distinctive project-based educational model emphasizes interdisciplinary experimentation, risk-taking, and innovation.

CCA offers a rich curriculum of 22 undergraduate and 12 graduate programs in art, design, architecture, and writing taught by a faculty of expert practitioners and attracts promising students from across the United States and from 54 countries around the world. Graduates are highly sought after by companies such as Pixar/Disney, Apple, Intel, Facebook, Gensler, Google, IDEO, Autodesk, Mattel, and Nike, and many have launched their own successful businesses.

Calendar Editors, Please Note:

The 2017 Fashion Experience
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: CCA San Francisco campus (Back Lot), 1111 Eighth Street (at 16th and Wisconsin), San Francisco
Cost: Free and open to the public