 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Italian outerwear and rainwear stalwart - Allegri - celebrates it's 40th anniversary with retail giant Saks Fifth Avenue by honoring the designs of New York City's High-School of
Fashion Industries students.
For the third consecutive year, Allegri - the top quality Italian outerwear and rainwear house dubbed the "Architects of Fabrics", has teamed up with New York City's High-School of Fashion
Industries (HSFI), a city institution since 1926, as a part of the Industry Partnership Program that helps to bring real-world industry experience to high-school Juniors, by way of a design
contest. HSFI is the only high-school of its kind in the eastern United States with an occupational curriculum completely dedicated to the world of fashion, specializing in styling, design,
business and marketing.
The Junior class of 2009, the first to participate, were asked to create rain-boots and umbrellas for Allegri. The winning designs were produced and held on display at the Saks Fifth Avenue
windows. Last October, the HSFI students made it to the 5th avenue windows again, this time with a series of bags including a weekend bag, a day clutch, a laptop case and backpack. This
year, the students are vying for an even greater design honor - the chance to create the 'ultimate' Allegri trench-coat, in honor of the line's 40th anniversary. Not only will winning prove to be a
major resume high-point and excellent material for the students' Senior portfolios, but a portion of the sales for a specified period of time will be donated right back HSFI.
The road from conception to winning design calls for three visits into the classroom from Allegri. The first, to lay out the parameters of the project; then, to get an update on the students'
progress as they near their midway point and finally, to judge the competition at a celebratory event at Saks. I went in to check in on the students somewhere between visit one and two,
when after reams and reams of viable design options, the blossoming designers finalized their selections for one women's and one men's trench. In town for the previous night's MET Gala,
I was accompanied by "The Body" herself, famed supermodel Michelle Alves - the Brazilian beauty who has graced the cover of over 100 magazines and will return this year as one of the
competition's honorary judges. She gave the eager students her expert feedback. Naturally, when a model who has been the face of YSL, Valentino, Escada and Missoni is in your midst,
the natural question will be - 'What would you want to wear?' It was a moment to seize for burgeoning designers still in high-school.
There wasn't much shyness going around the classroom when we came around to each group to check up on their work. These students were open with their creations and they stood by
them with real conviction. Some students found inspiration in fashion giants such as Lady Gaga, or in the romantic flow of Mia Wasikowska's dresses in Tim Burton's
'Alice in Wonderland,' or in the downtown sex-appeal of Alexander Wang. Many teams were right on trend with truly exciting designs that played with quilting, built-in garments and pieces
that blurred the line between outerwear and cocktail. "It is a special thing to be able to share with a designer the initial stages of their creative process," says Alves. "At the beginning of my
career I was lucky enough to gain experience as a fit model for YSL with Mr. Saint Laurent himself. Today I could feel the same excitement in these students imagining with them their
creations come to life".
At our respective tables, Alves and I checked out their mood boards and myriad sketches. There was a startling correlation between what the two-person team of designers are coming up
with and the Allegri's own fall/winter 2011 collection. Keeping heritage intact, while embracing modern concepts, the class was infected by the conceit of multi-functionality. Hidden
compartments, easy tuck-aways for hoods and zip-away sleeves - it was clear that the ultimate Allegri coat was bound to be anything but your old fuddy-duddy trench. The day after our visit,
the students got to the mannequins and started draping. Much like students at HSFI, we're eagerly anticipating the arrival of June, when the winning designs will finally be announced.
Fashion Industries students.
For the third consecutive year, Allegri - the top quality Italian outerwear and rainwear house dubbed the "Architects of Fabrics", has teamed up with New York City's High-School of Fashion
Industries (HSFI), a city institution since 1926, as a part of the Industry Partnership Program that helps to bring real-world industry experience to high-school Juniors, by way of a design
contest. HSFI is the only high-school of its kind in the eastern United States with an occupational curriculum completely dedicated to the world of fashion, specializing in styling, design,
business and marketing.
The Junior class of 2009, the first to participate, were asked to create rain-boots and umbrellas for Allegri. The winning designs were produced and held on display at the Saks Fifth Avenue
windows. Last October, the HSFI students made it to the 5th avenue windows again, this time with a series of bags including a weekend bag, a day clutch, a laptop case and backpack. This
year, the students are vying for an even greater design honor - the chance to create the 'ultimate' Allegri trench-coat, in honor of the line's 40th anniversary. Not only will winning prove to be a
major resume high-point and excellent material for the students' Senior portfolios, but a portion of the sales for a specified period of time will be donated right back HSFI.
The road from conception to winning design calls for three visits into the classroom from Allegri. The first, to lay out the parameters of the project; then, to get an update on the students'
progress as they near their midway point and finally, to judge the competition at a celebratory event at Saks. I went in to check in on the students somewhere between visit one and two,
when after reams and reams of viable design options, the blossoming designers finalized their selections for one women's and one men's trench. In town for the previous night's MET Gala,
I was accompanied by "The Body" herself, famed supermodel Michelle Alves - the Brazilian beauty who has graced the cover of over 100 magazines and will return this year as one of the
competition's honorary judges. She gave the eager students her expert feedback. Naturally, when a model who has been the face of YSL, Valentino, Escada and Missoni is in your midst,
the natural question will be - 'What would you want to wear?' It was a moment to seize for burgeoning designers still in high-school.
There wasn't much shyness going around the classroom when we came around to each group to check up on their work. These students were open with their creations and they stood by
them with real conviction. Some students found inspiration in fashion giants such as Lady Gaga, or in the romantic flow of Mia Wasikowska's dresses in Tim Burton's
'Alice in Wonderland,' or in the downtown sex-appeal of Alexander Wang. Many teams were right on trend with truly exciting designs that played with quilting, built-in garments and pieces
that blurred the line between outerwear and cocktail. "It is a special thing to be able to share with a designer the initial stages of their creative process," says Alves. "At the beginning of my
career I was lucky enough to gain experience as a fit model for YSL with Mr. Saint Laurent himself. Today I could feel the same excitement in these students imagining with them their
creations come to life".
At our respective tables, Alves and I checked out their mood boards and myriad sketches. There was a startling correlation between what the two-person team of designers are coming up
with and the Allegri's own fall/winter 2011 collection. Keeping heritage intact, while embracing modern concepts, the class was infected by the conceit of multi-functionality. Hidden
compartments, easy tuck-aways for hoods and zip-away sleeves - it was clear that the ultimate Allegri coat was bound to be anything but your old fuddy-duddy trench. The day after our visit,
the students got to the mannequins and started draping. Much like students at HSFI, we're eagerly anticipating the arrival of June, when the winning designs will finally be announced.
By Alexander Patino
POSTED May 16, 2011
DESIGN CONTEST
 |
Allegri Partners with Saks Fifth Avenue to Honor New York's
High School of Fashion Industries with Design Contest
High School of Fashion Industries with Design Contest
