During the thesis runway show for Parsons' Fashion Design program, held at the iconic former Barneys New York building, over 200 students presented their final looks. Three standout designers—Will Zornek, Yutung (Tori) Chen, and Zewen Shao—presented unique interpretations of garment construction and design. Zornek's deconstructed knitwear aimed to disrupt conventional aesthetics through experimental textiles. Chen's work emphasized the blend of everyday inspiration with high fashion, while Shao's adaptable designs showcased a practical approach to modern fashion. Together, they represent a new generation of innovative designers shaping the industry's future.
Zornek pulled apart the conventions of knitwear, literally. He distressed jersey yarn by hand, disrupting its usual structure and loosening its threads into soft, irregular weaves. "Making those organic forms was my way of subverting what I would see as a hetero world and making it a queer object, or queer textile," Zornek explained.
Yutung (Tori) Chen's sharp tailoring took inspiration from a coat hung on a doorknob. This approach showcases how the everyday can influence high fashion, blurring lines between utilitarian and aesthetic.
Zewen Shao's weatherproof design could transform into twelve different iterations—one moment a full jumpsuit, the next modified into a jacket. This versatility exemplifies a trend toward adaptability and practicality in fashion.
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