Act 5 was the title of the Fashion Institute of Technology Master’s graduate class to honor their final act as a collective. The students wrote in their shared show notes that, like the last act of a play, “this moment is one of resolution, reflection, transformation, and revelation. Although we have arrived at this point through different stories and paths, we are bound by a shared purpose: to push fashion beyond the familiar and into the realm of dialogue.”
Cathleen Sheehan, chairwoman of the FIT MFA program, recalled that when Olivier Rousteing (who was recently honored by the Couture Council at FIT) visited the class a few days ahead of their graduate show, his one piece of advice was to “work hard, but be you.” And, said Sheehan, that’s what the students did.
The members of this year’s class, like their predecessors, each presented five looks. It was obvious when a student’s collection began and ended thanks to their distinct styles. Sculptural work was a common theme. Layla Dian Jin used her passion for the abstract and innovation to create sculptural pieces using metallic fabrication. Yawen Chen used a similar technique, employing softer fabrics such as tulle for elegance.
Not everyone went for a sculptural approach; others found beauty in simplicity, including Ethan Horing. His entry into fashion was a bit different to that of his colleagues—he graduated with a bachelor’s in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania before joining the MFA program. His final thesis was to bridge the worlds of fashion and technology and he wrote in his biography that he wanted to “value the unseen details…for a result in clothing that rewards a closer look—the longer you look, the more you see.” That was evident in pieces like his trousers (Look 65), where his checkered fabrication included 3-D print overlays for an added textural touch. Lawson Park incorporated her love for art into whimsical prints. A simple white shift dress featured embroidered water color hued florals throughout.
“Be true to who you are and work hard. Be guided by good and things you love and don’t lose the sense of being positive, which you all have,” was Sheehan’s final message for the MFA Class of 2025. She also emphasized the importance of the cohort staying in touch and supporting each other, because while this was their final act at FIT, it’s just the beginning of their professional lives.
