By Chris Salido
Last week, iAcademy students invited their friends and families to gather for a graduation ceremony unlike any other. The school, in collaboration with Style Conquest, made a bold statement as they took their commencement moment to the runway.
But before the “grad” finale, Jean Dee, head of the Fashion Design Department of iAcademy, was there. She went back and forth, checked the schedules, and oversaw the production. Dee was committed to her role—being a “stage mom” to her beloved students.
Backstage, Dee continued to assist her students. She gave them the support they needed and ensured everything ran smoothly behind the curtains as the show went on. “The Fashion Design and Technology (FDT) Grad Show is a commemoration of their creative journey, a celebration of their creativity, and the launch of their fashion careers. It is an extremely special and emotional event,” she said.
“It is a tribute to fashion designers participating in Style Conquest Fashion Shows. Chardy Baldoza of R PR and Prod envisioned an event to launch the careers of emerging designers to the public. [This year’s collaboration and] magazine commemorate our students’ hard work and provide them with a platform to launch their professional careers,” Dee added.
Fashion, art, and business
It was the moment they all had been waiting for—a debut of their students' creations. Every measurement, every draft design, and every stitch they made, piece by piece, made its way to the finale, ending their academic journey with a show that proves the dream can turned into reality, especially when you have the right resources and genuine support from the people who believe in you.
“iAcademy helps aspiring designers find or forge their creative paths in fashion and the creative industries. We support our students in finding their unique voices and building confidence in their work by honing their fashion competencies through lessons and experiences,” Dee said. “The (FDT) course takes three years and seven months to complete. Students spend three years in general education and specialized courses, finishing their thesis and internship during the last seven months. Many students engage in professional practice as early as their second year, allowing them the option to work in fashion while they study.”
In the competitive world of fashion, only the bravest and the boldest make the cut. That’s why the school is helping its students every step of the way to be ready, equipping them with the right skills, hands-on experiences, and resources to pursue their dream of being a fashion designer. It wants its students to hold on to their dreams and capitalize on the business side of art and fashion.
“My hope for every aspiring designer is to learn how to enterprise their creativity—using their unique gifts to solve problems and offer value to the workplace and society,” Dee said. “Fashion is both art and business and to continue living our dreams and achieving success, we must embrace the dual nature of our craft.”
Down the runway
During the event, six FDT students debuted their collections. Jannah Collado's "Astor" collection is inspired by an extreme fear of thunderstorms and lightning. Meanwhile, Megan Davies' collection, "The Inner Child," explores the discomfort of childhood trauma and the nostalgia that it brings. Ellyn Denubo's “Perya-serye” collection, however, brought on the playful and lively side of perya (funfair) to the runway.
Abby Fernandez looked at her passion for Japanese arcades in making her streetwear collection dubbed "Mabi's Arcade." Elene Mariano's “Blissful Awakening” collection is an ode to her intimacy, an empowering and liberating experience for female sexual expression. Joanna Santos' "Adoracion" collection is an ode to her late grandmother Adoracion and how grief influenced her creative process.
“This year, we expect 11 students to graduate [in the FDT course]. Last week, six [of our] students showcased their collections. Younger students help and witness the excitement, preparing them for their final year. [And] we offer all our love and creativity to the graduating batch, wishing them well as they embark on exciting professional careers in fashion,” Dee ended.
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