Pratt Institute presented its 118th annual runway show to a full house that included fashion industry professionals and members of the Pratt community who gathered to see curated looks by graduating senior fashion students on May 4, 2017 at the chic Spring Studios in Manhattan. A group of 14 graduating students were selected by a panel of industry experts to present their cohesive and progressive senior thesis collections at the show. The designers showcased eight to 15 complete looks per collection, putting their distinct voices on display.
The show, Pratt Shows: Fashion | The Work, received coverage and acclaim in media outlets including VOGUE U.S., Women’s Wear Daily, and Fashionista.com, in articles that highlighted the important opportunities afforded to students in Pratt’s Fashion program and that featured quotes from Fashion Department Chair Jennifer Minniti about the uniqueness of the program.
Following the runway presentation, Pratt Institute President Thomas F. Schutte greeted the audience and thanked Minniti for her commitment to the show and the Department. Celebrity stylist Kate Young presented Laura Kim (B.F.A. Fashion Design ’04) and Fernando Garcia, co-creative directors of Monse and Oscar de la Renta, with the Pratt Fashion Visionary Award for their incredible success in founding a critically acclaimed fashion label and securing positions at the head of one of the fashion industry’s most prestigious fashion houses.
In her acceptance speech, Kim remarked on the honor of receiving the award as a Pratt alumna, and noted her time at the Institute was a rewarding educational experience that has benefited her in her career.
Minniti then announced two special student honors:
- Lyudmila (Mila) Sullivan (B.F.A. Fashion Design ’17) was selected to present her work in June at Graduate Fashion Week in London, where she will compete with students from peer institutions in Europe. Watch a video to learn about Sullivan’s creative process and collection.
- Jessie Sodetz (B.F.A. Fashion Design ’17) was selected to show her collection at the Ralph Pucci Showroom during New York Fashion Week in September.
The show, which featured live tweeting, was streamed live on the homepage of pratt.edu.
Images: Graduating seniors Jessie Sodetz (left) and Mila Sullivan (right) each walk the runway with a model wearing one of their looks at Pratt Shows: Fashion | The Work (photo: Fernando Colon)