Apparel Design Course
Photos by Amanda Torrisi
The Apparel Design course offers a foundation of the basic construction, draping, alteration, and fitting techniques used to create apparel. The emphasis of the course is on the proper fit and craftsmanship to produce high quality garments. Each student created one piece to be included in the collection. The garments are constructed by hand and need to be high quality as they are going to be sold in the FLY store.
This semester the students decided that the theme for their collection would be asymmetric lines using bold color blocks. Because of this, the target customer is a person who is not afraid to take risks! The age group is between 25 to 40 years old and can be a local Florentine or a foreigner. The color palette consists of neutrals such as off-white and light gray with pops of blue, purple, orange, and yellow. The students practiced creating their designs using muslin to get a sense of what the final product would look like. Overall, their designs turned out great and fit the models well. Next, they were able to adjust the sizes and finalize the patterns. The final design requires a lot more finishing details than the muslin prototype, such as adding lining and zippers. The Straw Class is creating hats and headpieces to match the theme and outfits which the Apparel Design students are creating. The students chose to use a clear shoe in order to keep the focus on the outfits. Another step along the process was to choose which model would where each outfit on the runway. This semester the students worked extremely well together creating a team atmosphere. They stated that the class was challenging but very rewarding!
Welcome to the Jungle
Article by Phoebe Murray & Kailyn StahlPhoto by Phoebe Murray
At this month’s FLY Fashion Aperitivo, Florence was honored to host the amazing FUA student and handbag designer, Rutendo Karikoga, from Zimbabwe in our subsequently themed ‘Into the Jungle’ night extravaganza. Her fabulous handbags were displayed on a wall of spotlights that stole the show. In the celebratory toast starting off the night, she explained that her “inspiration for the handbags came from tropical birds, especially the parrot Grees and 1920s architecture.” She also explained that her choice of color palette for the bags was inspired by her last trip to the beautiful city of Naples.
It was an absolute blast being able to walk around the FLY boutique and browse Rutendo’s hard work and dedication to her handmade handbag collection. Not to mention the photojournalism and fashion design students that ran the entire night behind the scenes. From tasty wines, to decadent pistachio cookies and chocolate cake, the authentic Italian pastries provided by the culinary students were the perfect bite of dessert. Overall, this month’s FLY-Fashion Loves You event was a hit!
GROW event at FLY
Photo by Alessandro Gueli
On Tuesday, March 13th, FLY Fashion Loves You hosted their spring event, GROW, souroundend by green plants and wonderfull new designs by Tiche. If you've happen to have missed this event you can catch up the photos by Alessandro Gueli, an EL student in intermidial digital photography who was there to document the event.
A Gypsy-Themed Evening at FLY
Article and Photo by Kiera MulhallOn Tuesday, September 19th, FLY Fashion Loves You hosted their first event of the Fall 2017 semester. The Florence University of the Arts school of fashion, also known as FAST: Fashion and Accessory Studies and Technology, collaborated with other programs to produce the Gypsy Caravan.
At first glance, FLY is another trendy store front, but once you enter you are surrounded by a world of emerging fashion. The consignment shop is operated by students in many different ways. Student interns manage the store and design students create pieces that are sometimes sold in the store. It is a great way for students to gain professional and authentic experience as well as interact with the Florence community.
The Tuesday night apertivo was a very unique experience. The store was very bright and filled with a wide array of people, many of whom were students. The attendees were all very fashionably dressed, not surprising for an event hosted by the fashion students. Upon entering the store guests were able to browse through the racks of clothes while making their way to the courtyard. One room was filled with wine and refreshments as well as small snacks and finger-foods. Despite the rainy and overcast day, it was a beautiful night to spend in the courtyard of FLY. The courtyard was dimly lit with strands of Christmas lights and colorful streamers. There was a two piece band comprised of an accordion player and a bass player. Throughout the night they filled the air with traditional folk music. The music was very lively and set the tone for the Gypsy Caravan theme.
Guests at the apertivo had the option of having their tarot cards read, very appropriate considering the history of tarot cards and their presence in the gypsy culture. They also could spend time in a classroom that was transformed into a colorful photo booth. One very notable aspect of the evening was the collaboration between the different schools of the university. Students of DIVA, FAST, and APICUS came together to create a beautiful evening for the rest of the university as well as native Florentines. The students who created the event did an impressive job with their interpretation of the Gypsy culture and provided a fun night for all who attended.
The Many Shapes of Art & Fashion
Article and Photo by Ariana AndrettaTo conclude the Spring 2017, FLY & FAST of Florence University of the Arts held its last showcase on Tuesday, May 2nd. The final theme was “The White Party,” which highlighted students’ innovative use of an often-overlooked material, straw, in the forms of hats.
A highlight of the night was the runway display of models who brought these pieces to life. According to FLY & Fast’s social media guru for this semester, Olivia, the theme of the show pulled from spheres of influence such as P. Diddy’s infamous white parties and the overall idea of luxury. She explained that the goal was to “make everything seem more elegant and a step-up of a party.” Guests could also become personally engaged through the interactive ability to dress to the theme.
Since the end is nearing, Olivia also reflected a bit on how this experience has shaped her time in Florence. She shared that being the social media coordinator for FLY & FAST has taught her about “the Italian side of business opposed to the American side we have come to know.” The beauty of experiential learning based educational programs such as this one is getting a sense of what it would be like actually working in this industry, which is something students can take home with them to apply to their future.
The models were accompanied by a live acoustic performance throughout the evening to create a relaxed ambiance in the background for guests. Similar to the 90s catwalks played on screens at the first FLY event, this was an activity to make everyone connect more to the material being showcased. There was an artisanal atmosphere mixed with entertainment based activities, proving that the event included a little taste of something for everyone.
To put a cap on the night, there was a special dance performance from FUA’s choreography workshop class taught by Keith Ferrone. When asked about the inspiration behind the piece, Keith shared that the students had “free realm of putting what their experience was in Florence into dance.” They used different stimuli from all aspects of art they encountered during their these past few months.
The experience of studying and living abroad is one that will last a lifetime. Despite the cliché sentiments that this phrase may initially suggest, it still rings true because of community involved events like FLY. The garden was a sociocultural bubble of students, professors, and locals alike because everyone came with the same intent of participating in a night of fashion and fun.
No One Can Be As "BeYOUtiful" As You
By Ariana Andretta"BeGiuls" Clothing Embraces Self-Expression in Fashion at recent FLY event.
On March 14th, FLY & FAST of Florence University of the Arts welcomed the public to their second fashion & aperitivo event of the semester. This show’s theme centered on the launch of the store’s new emerging designer, Giuliana Becattini, and her new spring collection entitled "BeGiuls, Be You." She is a Florentine fashion designer who has established two brands, “L’Abito che… Vorrei” and now more recently in 2011, "BeGiuls."
The atmosphere of this collection was popularized as "easy formal." According to Michaela Rynecki, a student of Fashion Retail Management Experiential Learning, this is because of the clothing's versatility, as she explained that some winter collection pieces on display feature reversible sides. Many of Giuliana’s products include these flexible ideals so they can be dressed up or down and worn suitably to the occasion.
Giuliana gave the incredible opportunity of being an attendee to this event, which allowed the mutually beneficial discovery for her to see how guests reacted and unveil herself as the mastermind behind these clothes. When discussing the idea of the welcome gifts, she explained that they were the same patterns as in the collection. The mixed, reversible patterns show how she designs in a personalized sense so the wearer can adjust everything to their liking. She believes a person should be able "joke" with clothes because "they're a part of our lives and so are jokes." Patterns do not have to always match perfectly – stripes can be on one side and checkered print on the other – and a person’s wardrobe should be a quirky and fun experience.
The other course involved with this show was the apparel design class, which was responsible for crafting all of the student design pieces. Similar to the last showcase, these students had three weeks to prepare their designs from sketches to fabric selection to construction. Gaia Poli, their professor, explained that students “learn to work under stress, which makes the presentation at the party a goal and worthwhile celebratory engagement.” The efforts of their process start-to-finish encircled the outside area of the back of the store. Their newly found designer minds were on display along with all of their possible pattern selections hanging above.
Since experiential learning is such a huge component to FLY, the school is notorious for creatively converting classroom spaces for events. This time around, something especially unique took place for the benefit of both guests and students because the collection in the store was having its first live photoshoot. Giuliana voiced that the first picture in her mind when designing these pieces was "a place full of flowers where there was a lady without shoes," reminding her of the concept of freedom. This idea refers to the 70s with the combination of vibrant materials like tulle serving as her childhood in a contemporary context. The designer wanted her life and style to be reflected in her clothes as well as their photographs.
The overall hope of this event was to have a building full of people embracing what it means to "Be You." Fashion is one of the most innovative outlets to use for self-expression and leaves open room for whether or not it provides the definition of the self. The "BeGiuls" brand and team wants people to make their own decision and incorporate a part of themselves in their everyday style.
The 90s Are All That: FLY Spring 2017 Event
By Arianna AndrettaPhoto by the author
FLY & FAST of Florence University of the Arts showcased the first of their series of four fashion & aperitivo nights for this semester on Tuesday evening. FAST is the shorthand for FUA’s Fashion & Accessories Studies & Technology department, which comprises not only classes for students, but also the opportunity to gain experience working in a professional setting through FLY. The vintage and consignment store produces student-crafted fashion pieces in addition to promoting a new emerging designer each semester. The chosen theme for their first event centered on the 90s – the era of grunge, floppy disks, and of course, the beloved slinky.
The comeback of the 90s exemplifies a common tie between those who experienced the trends of the time and those who aspire to retain the style without actually living through it. Feelings of childhood nostalgia and reminiscence of youth are the cause of the craze. According to Olivia, the store’s student social media manager, incorporating the 90s was a way to mix in the fashionably popularized grunge look with the current generation that embraces it. “Since FLY is a vintage store to begin with that includes unique designs, the 90s theme was a good way to incorporate the purpose of the store itself,” she added. Hence the tagline “FLY back to the 90s” was created.
It was a not so puzzling choice to select this time warp theme in the midst of the holiday of candy hearts. While speaking with Gaia Poli, store manager and faculty member, she explained that the 90s are “a praise of casualty.” They did not want to paralyze the event with Valentine’s Day, as others could easily do, and made it hinted at instead as to not completely ignore the holiday festivities. A few light decorations that would be hidden to the distracted eye – such as hearts hung in some of the fashion labs – were implanted throughout the building.
The current featured emerging designer, Marakita, also presented some of her pieces at the event that included such subtlety. One of the clutches, for example, included a heart shaped option while the other’s form could be equated to that of a love letter. The genius behind Marakita’s designs is their unique quality. Fabrics are specifically designed for the brand so the pieces will literally be one-of-a-kind. Aside from a clutch with an original pattern matched to the buyer’s requests, the leather used is also vegan. The bag will not only be personalized but additionally eco-friendly.
While the event heavily focused on the current goals of the fashion department, it was a time to put all areas of experiential learning to work, including event management, hospitality, culinary, digital media, and more. The best part of the abundance of student involvement in these programs is that it provides them with something as close to real life experience as possible. According to Nico, the student designer of the choker giveaways for the first guests to arrive, there is a constant dialogue open about how to problem solve and decide on the smartest option at hand.
In the case of the chokers, the original design was a cross-back piece, which presented a concern of potentially overusing leather. After some deliberation, the crossing feature of the necklace was eliminated but the choice to pick the importance of style over saving leather was made. “The halfway choker uses more material but better fit the look of the era,” he explained. The lucky first 30 attendees seemed pleased regardless to walk away with their 90s inspired accessories.
FLY’s first event was ultimately a success thanks to the joint efforts of faculty, students, and community alike. The 90s atmosphere lived in the band posters, floppy CDs, and colorful pops of slinkies throughout the store. With a continued atmospheric blend of 90s catwalks playing as a backdrop and great cuisine, guests enjoyed themselves as they flew back in time for a few hours.
FAST'S First Student Straw Collection
FAST’S FIRST STUDENT STRAW COLLECTIONBy Jessica Pitocco and Amber Wright
When people think of fashion in Tuscany, leather is usually the first to come to mind. In Florence, leather products abound in high and low-end stores as well as at the outdoor markets. What most people don’t know is that straw, while in today’s fashion less popular, is also a classic material with strong roots in this region.
Dolce and Gabbana’s Spring 2016 collection featured straw materials in handbags and clutches, and on December 6th, FUA’s Fly event did the same. Titled “Winter Garden Fashion Party,” student Emily Russell headlined the event, displaying her collection of hats and bags for which she utilized this historical material and lessons learned in class.
Russell was the first student from a special accesories class to feature her artisanal straw designs at a FLY event. As the only student in her beginner-level class, "Straw Hats and Bags: A Florentine Dynasty," Russell felt nervous about being one-on-one with the professor, Francesca Mocali. But, as she later mentioned, the class moved at a proper pace and gave her more opportunity than she had ever previously had to explore her creativity as a designer. In fact, Russell never planned on designing anything; as a Fashion Merchandising major at the University of South Carolina, she hadn’t previously encountered the opportunity to design anything before.
"Through this class I not only got this amazing opportunity for a show, but I also learned new skills like sewing, by hand and with a machine, sketching, and design. I can now manipulate the straw into different shapes and edges, and even match different colors and materials together," Russell said.
Russell and her professor started preparing for “Winter Garden Fashion Party” in mid-October. During her time in the classroom, Prof. Mocali taught her how to manipulate sinamay: a straw-like fabric made from banana leaves that Russell used for her collection of five hats and two bags. While working with the material, she experimented with the natural colors of sinamay in taupes, blues, and browns to create a cohesive line for the show.
Russell said she sees how sinamay could be used as an eco-friendly alternative fabric in modern fashion; taking an old Italian technique and making it modern through design, color, and styling. Her inspiration was drawn from from historical Florence and artworks at the Uffizi.
"I love the look of draped fabrics on marble statues. My collection has a subtle Renaissance-feel because of the way I folded the sinamay and used curves in the hats to mimic that," Russell said. "Looking at paintings in the Uffizi Gallery, or even the basilica’s gothic arches, I experimented with each element in an avant-garde way."
While this is Russell’s first design class, after this course she is open to the idea of taking similar classes at her college and exploring her creative side more thoroughly.
"I appreciate all sides of fashion more than ever, and I feel like anyone in this business should get to experience this too," Russell said. "I never really thought of myself as a designer, but now I've had my own show and could not be happier!"
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Last updated: 6 May, 2018
Events
Check out the FUA-AUF calendar for upcoming events related to the following extracurricular and interdisciplinary events open to the student community.
FLY! FASHION LOVES YOU: 
Fashion Loves You is the store for vintage and handcrafted clothing and objects operated by FAST Fashion and Accessory Studies and Technology. FLY is located in a sleek, minimalist space at the FAST Palazzo della Giostra campus in Borgo Pinti along with the fashion department facilities. It is a link of creative expression and exchange between the city and the classroom, between our students and the local community.
STUDENT LIFE ACTIVITIES: 
The Student Life and Development department offers an extensive calendar of events open to all students. Culinary activities, sports nights, Connecting Cultures, music, journalism and city walks are regularly featured throughout academic sessions.
CORRIDOIO FIORENTINO: 
EFT offers international students studying in Florence the opportunity to discover Italy and all the aspects of its culture by participating in field trips featuring substantial, quality-focused itineraries planned with expertise and know-how.
LA PALESTRA: 
The FUA-AUF mini-gym provides access to free weights, treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines to enrolled students during regular scheduled hours Monday through Friday. La Palestra also offers a variety of weekly classes, such as Hip-Hop, Abs&Legs, Yoga and more.
EDUCATION FIELD TRIPS: 
EFT offers international students studying in Florence the opportunity to discover Italy and all the aspects of its culture by participating in field trips featuring substantial, quality-focused itineraries planned with expertise and know-how.
GANZO: 
The school restaurant and creative learning lab of Apicius, the hospitality division of FUA-AUF, is open to the public and features gastronomic events every academic session in addition to regular lunch and dinner service.