California Apparel News

Sarah Burton, Philip Treacy and Academy of Art University's Gladys Perint Palmer and Dr. Elisa Stephens

Sarah Burton, Philip Treacy and H.R.H. Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud are three of the high profile guests who attended and were honored at the Academy of Art University’s 2012 Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony. The School of Fashion at AAU held its annual runway show on May 3rd and there was a whirlwind of activity leading up to the big event. A Fashion Symposium with Treacy and Burton, a luxury presentation by Princess Reema and a hat demonstration by Treacy are just a few of the events that were on the two day itinerary.

Dr. Elisa Stephens, president of AAU and Gladys Perint Palmer, executive director of the School of Fashion hosted a luncheon on May 2 for the Guests of Honor with notable attendees including Mayor Edwin M. Lee and former Mayor Willie Brown as well as members of the San Francisco community. A glamorous cocktail party at a chic mansion in Pacific Heights was held in honor or Princess Reema, a breast cancer awareness activist. She is also the CEO of the ALFA and AL HAMA companies that own and operate Harvey Nichols, Donna Karan and DKNY stores in Saudi Arabia. In addition, there was a private tour of the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the deYoung Museum led by Jill D’Alessandro, Curator of Costume and Textile Arts.

I attended many of the functions along with Suzy Menkes, Fashion Editor of the International Herald Tribune, Cathy Horyn, fashion critic of the New York Times and Stephan Rahim Rabimov, Editor-in-Chief of Depesha magazine. It was a rare opportunity for students to hear from some of the industry’s leading talents. Here are some highlights from San Francisco.

Simon Ungless, Director of the School of Fashion and Sarah Burton, Creative Director for Alexander McQueen at the AAU Fashion Symposium, photo by Randy Brooke.

Philip Treacy, Mayor Edwin Lee and Dr. Elisa Stephens at the AAU luncheon, photo by Randy Brooke.

A dessert created in honor of Treacy, Burton and H.R.H. Princess Reema

H.R.H. Princess Reema talks luxury in Saudi Arabia

Suzy Menkes and Cathy Horyn speak to students in a panel moderated by AAU's Journalism Coordinator, Paul Wilner, photo by Randy Brooke.

Philip Treacy demonstrates how to make a cloud hat similar to one he made for a Chanel runway show, photo by Randy Brooke.

Depesha Editor-in-Chief Stephan Rahim Rabimov reviews portfolios for the styling class, photo by Randy Brooke.

It's me. N. Jayne Seward, Fashion Editor for Apparel News, reviewing styling portfolios, photo by Randy Brooke.

Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the deYoung Museum