Fusion Fashion Show Director's Blog
Keep up with Fusion from Jimmy's point of view! He's the mastermind behind this entire production. Read about meetings, fittings, drama, excitement, and of course, the runway show.
FUSION 2008 BLOGS
May 25, 2008
It's been awhile, but I know it's never too late to offer a big congratulations to F.I.T. on their big win with Fusion 2008. It's the first time F.I.T. has won two years in a row and it was well deserved. I remember being pretty hard on them at the dress rehearsal and telling them to get it together and they did. Parsons put up an amazing fight and had enough talent to make it an exciting, extremely close race. Our judges, Atoosa Rubenstein, Nole Marin, Austin Scarlett, David Yassky, and Sarah Hartshorne, were all impressed by the caliber of craftmenship and innovation. They were also bombarded with requests for photos and autographs, with which they graciously accepted. I want to say thank you to them for their time and support and kind emails after the school.
The runway was full of beautiful, fresh, cutting edge designs, and Sawa Takai led the pack for F.I.T.. Sawa picked up the Best Designer Award for that school with her crowd pleasing collection and seemingly perfect tailoring. On the Parsons front, Samantha Hyman won Best Designer with her colorful, ready-for-Barney's collection that I called the winner a few weeks before (once I saw it, I knew and only told my closest friends :) ).
Michelle Larsen, Fusion's assistant director, was key in making this one of the best Fusion's ever and I'm glad to report she will be back next year. Heather Berkowe, F.I.T.'s coordinator, and Yinan Xia, Parson's coordinator, did an excellent job bringing the best out of both schools. They are both headed for stardom.
In closing, I want to say this year's team felt more like a family than ever before. I received some incredible emails from many of the designers describing their experience as "amazing, the time of their life, educational, and important." It really touched me in a way that's tough to describe. I just keep thinking about the last image I saw of Jessica Velez, a F.I.T. designer who won the Fusion Award and the Designer's Designer Award. She was in tears and I was thinking that she wasn't happy with something and she came over to me and said, "Thank you so much for this. I'm going to miss everyone so much. This was an incredible opportunity." Her reaction, her growth during the competiton, her passion for fashion, her desire to succeed, her willingness to make new friends, iare reasons Fusion goes on. It's our heartbeat.
People often ask what happens after Fusion and I can tell you that several of the designers from this past year have already felt the ripple effects Fusion has had in the industry. Three of the designers went on interviews for jobs and were interviewed by former Fusioners. Many of our former Fusioners are heads of major clothing lines or have their own lines, and if you watched Project Runway this past season and loved third place finisher Jillian, well, she is a former Fusioner as well. The longer this show goes on, the more apparent it becomes that it does help. You get a taste of the spotlight and you want it even more. I love that.
Fusion will be TEN YEARS OLD this coming year and it will be the biggest show yet. We are inviting past winners to attend to celebrate them and we are also going to get some incredible judges. I'm looking forward to a huge applicant pool at both schools and seeing the best talent to date. Keep your eyes open for important dates and join our Facebook or Myspace page for the latest news. Until September, thank you to both schools and to all our fans out there.
- Jimmy
January 21, 2008
It's been awhile. So much has happened since the last time I posted a blog. First, the model casting was great. We had so many people show up and I couldn't be more grateful. So many beautiful people to support our show, it was just so fantastic to see. We had some familiar faces in the bunch. The gorgeous Aleksandra is back along with some other one or two year veterans, however, no one defines that category more than Yana, who was in Fusion's second show eight years ago. She still looks perfect and I appreciate the time and effort all of our models put into this production. They sell it. They work it. We love it.
The designers are a great group this year. They seem much more like a big team than ever before. Group emails are sent about sewing circles, model questions, and support. Zaida, a F.I.T. designer, is full of life and is reaching out to everyone as are our Fusion veteran designers, Kelly Frappier and Ted Allegrini. I have fun when I'm with them and, more importantly, I'm INSPIRED. I know how drained they all must be, but they keep going. Some things people wrote for their website bios were so inspiring. When asked what they were most excited about with Fusion, Julie Baik simply put "growth." I love that. That is what this experience is all about...evolving philosophies, improved technical skills, internal debates, and honed self awareness.
I am also inspired by how excited they are about the show. I'm fairly removed from the everyday life of a Fusion designer. During the first 3 years of Fusion, I lived in the residence halls, Loeb Hall to be exact, and I witnessed firsthand the all nighters, the craftsmanship, and the lure Fusion had on all of us. I was part of the endless conversations about the show and heard people I didn't know talking about it seemingly everywhere. I miss that. I miss being in the mix. However, to my surprise, I know it still is happening 5 years later. I look at designer profiles on Facebook and Myspace and read on electronic walls the growing anticipation they have. It makes me smile every time.
With the help of one of our designers, we also have our first judge, Atoosa Rubenstein. We couldn't be more thrilled. She is an incredible role model and fashionista. We are in the works on getting others.
Tickets will be going on sale soon (get them early) and the show is creeping up on us so fast. My excitement will continue to grow and all Fusioner's workloads will increase. I may not be there in person in the halls or at the schools to witness this firsthand, but all I'll need to do is sign on to my computer and read. Keep sewing designers. Keep your spirits up. Keep blogging. It helps more than you know.
- Jimmy
October 17, 2007
Bigger and Better.
We say it every year and mean it. Each year since Fusion began 9 years ago it has gotten, well, bigger and better. It always grows by a small margin and we always improve on things, but this year all I can say is wow. We have grown in ways I couldn't even imagined. Let's look at numbers. As as right now, our Fusion facebook group has 932 members. F.I.T. was on target with about 90 students attending the information meetings. Parsons, which previously had recorded a best of 90 students attending, shattered their record with 223 attending the information meetings. I have received over 71 emails from students from both schools requesting applications, which is by far the most I've ever received. And, OSTN and Mood are back as our official sponsors and contributing funds and dvd's and fabric to participants. I'm blown away.
There are many people to give "shout outs" to, but no one deserves it as much as Joe Hosking, our Parsons advisor. He has been on board since day one and this year reached out to all students who qualify for the show via email. He is a huge supporter of the show, of talent, and for me. Also making huge strides at Parsons is our Parsons coordinator, Yinan Xia, who has been one of biggest Fusion fans and is now leading the designer pack.
At F.I.T., Heather Berkowe, a former Fusion designer twice over, is doing her job and doing it well as the F.I.T. coordinator. Her passion, knowledge, and belief in what Fusion stands for is evident and I thank her for all that she does.
This year, we have an Assistant Director in Michelle Larsen, also a former Fusion designer (F.I.T.) and our webmaster. I always look for someone who is as excited about the show as much as I am for this position and Michelle is. She is going to do great things to make this show, well, bigger and better.
We are all so excited at the level of interest this year and truly believe it will be one of the best experiences for those who participate at both schools. Former fusioners have always told me that being a part of this show was the highlight of their college careers. To prove this I must tell you that SEVEN designers from last year attended the information meetings this year wanting to reapply. Another record. Another testament to the experience this kind of competition provides.
I am so excited to see the applications submitted. I have no doubt we will receive the greatest talent both schools have to offer. Right now, Fusioners from years past are designing their own lines, heading labels like Bill Blass, are being featured in magazines, and are editors of fashion magazines. The industry finally knows who we are and they, the people who have made this show what it is, deserve it.
Bigger and Better. It has a whole new meaning this year.
- Jimmy
FUSION 2007 BLOGS
March 28, 2007
The show was a hit! From the opening collections of
last year's winners Rachel Nachmias and Kooan Okawa to
the brilliant concepts of F.I.T. and Parsons, this was
one of Fusion's best years (to me, it was the best.)
The talent was exceptional, the designs were fresh,
fun, and thoughful and the friendships/memories made
will last a lifetime.
Congratulations to F.I.T. for taking the Fusion crown
back. It was well deserved. Congratulations also goes
to Parsons for making this one of the closest Fusions
in recent memory.
Atsuko Yagi, Best Designer from Parsons, showcased her
talent with innovative, yet wearable animal/creature
inspired outfits while Madalyn Conforti, Best Designer
from F.I.T. wowed the crowed with beautifully tailored
creations. Madalyn also became the first female from
F.I.T. to win the award in the 8 years of Fusion.
The show was magic and I couldn't be more proud of the
all those who participated in Fusion. Annie Lim and
Richard Lowe, the coordinators, did a fantastic job,
and Michelle Larsen really did so much with the
website.
I'm already looking forward to next year.
- Jimmy
February 10, 2007
Wow. I just had a meeting with the designers and got
my first look at some of the collections. They are so
beautiful and thoughtful and I couldn't be prouder. I
really enjoyed this past meeting. There were a lot of
smiles, hugs, and conversations. It seems like we are
really coming together as a group, which I always look
forward to. It puts the competition on the back burner
and puts creativity and friendships first. It always
takes awhile to get there, but we always DO get there.
It seems as if Fusion is entering a new era. For the
first time, it seems as if we might have a few
sponsors. Mood fabric has always been on our side, our
biggest fan, and we love them. Now it seems others may
have caught on and we are talking with a few
companies. It is to be seen whether is all pans out,
but at least this year we are really extending
ourselves and getting the recognition these designers
so deserve.
Ticket sales are coming up and I'm so excited to see
the turn out. Right now, the designers have a certain
number of tickets to sell, but many of them are
already asking for more! We don't give them more, but
it just goes to show how in demand this show has
become.
Around this time, after I first get a glimpse of the
talented collections, I always, always, always get a
gut feeling on who I think will win. I have been wrong
only once in 8 years and this year that feeling just
hasn't come yet. Fret not, it will, but it seems my
instinct is having a tough time calling it this year.
But, no matter, I would never share it with anyone
anyway. You be the judge.
As it gets closer to craziness, I always forget a few
things. I'd like to take this time to thank Mood
Fabric (sponsor), Ellen Wagner (music), Sayed Saber
(tickets), Michelle Larsen (website), Richard Lowe
(coordinator), Annie Lim (coordinator), Joe Hosking
(advisor), Eileen Karp (advisor), Rob Mango
(assistant), all our models, and the designers. It's
almost here.
- Jimmy
January 22, 2007
A little over month to go. This is when I start
getting excited about the upcoming talent we are about
to see blossum right before our very eyes. If I'm this
excited already, I can imagine how the designers are
feeling. I remember back in Fusion's first years when
I still lived in Loeb Hall, a residence hall at
Parsons. It's all I could talk about with the
designers and Fusion consumed us all day every single
day. Seriously, it ate up every second of each day and
it tasted good.
Right now, Annie and Richard, our Fusion coordinators,
are checking in with the designers to make sure
everyone is on track and things are looking (and
tasting) good.
Ticket sale dates have been set and let me give those
of you who take the time to read this blog, which I'm
guessing isn't many, a tip. Fusion sells out and
usually very fast. Last year, I was walking on
F.I.T.'s campus to begin selling tickets. I was going
to meet one of our designers in front of the building
and as I walked up I saw a line wrapped around the
room and creep out the building. I walked up to the
designer and asked what people were waiting in line
for? Was a band coming to play? Were the elevators in
the lobby broke? She laughed and said "Jimmy, it's for
Fusion." Never had we received a response like that
and I was pleasantly floored. F.I.T. came out in such
force and with heavy support and, trust me, I will be
better prepared for it this year. Anyway, we sold out
of Fusion in 2 days and I suspect it will be even
faster this year. I have already received requests for
150 tickets.
This year, I'm excited to say that a local fashion
high school is bringing some of their students to see
the show. I'm thrilled. Fusion is about young talent
and giving designers a taste of something that in all
reality they may never taste again. Don't get me
wrong, I want each and every one of them to go on to
be the next Donna Karan, but the odds aren't in our
favor. But, maybe we can prove them wrong.
As I write this, I'm starting to get the butterflies
of yesteryears. I hope you, too, let Fusion consume
you. Go ahead, let it eat you up. After all these
years, our taste is still good, maybe better.
- Jimmy
January 5, 2007
Two more months. It goes by so fast. Right now,
Fusion's 30 designers are no doubt sewing all night
and dreaming all day. We are a team and everyone is
doing their best to make this show the best...ever.
Competition is the furthest thing from our minds (see
last paragraph).
Our model casting was a major success and relief. I
was a tad nervous when I found out that Fusion
veterans like Buyana and J.C. had moved on to bigger
things. I mean, these girls worked it out for us for
so many years. But, change is good and the need to move
forward is important in every aspect of Fusion. The
auditions were fun, intense, and...interesting. We had
some characters show up as we always do (designers
raise your hands), but we managed to "discover" about
35 girls who will bring our show to life.
I need to give a big thank you to our models, who do
our show for free and always bring so much personality
into our production. Most of them are students and we
appreciate the time and fierceness each one of them
brings.
These next few weeks are big for our show. We are
searching for judges, working on advertising and
ticket sales, and will be doing countless fittings.
So, as we hurry to make things perfect in the next 2
months, we need you, our Fusion supporters and fans,
to sit back, relax, and let the muddslinging of the
"other" school begin. It is a competition afterall! :)
- Jimmy
December 20, 2006
I can't even begin to share how hard it was to select
30 designers. The quality of applications was insanely
good and both schools had the brightest, most
talented, most ambitious designers apply. My favorite
part of the entire application process is when I get
to make a phone call letting a candidate know they've
been accepted into Fusion. Screams, excitement, and
laughter usually follow. It inspires me and provides
me with enough fuel to get me to the shows.
Our first designer meeting was fun. Everyone seemed a
bit anxious in the beginning. There was a lot of me
talking and blank stares, however, once the
conversation started to flow the energy increased
tenfold. Can we do this? Should we do that? When can
we do this? All exciting. All relevant. All uplifting.
So, the official Fusion ball has started rolling down
a long bedazzled hill. Along the way, we will pick up
models, volunteers, judges, contacts, sponsors, and
friendships. All of which are key components to this
show. But, the biggest components our sparkly Fusion
ball will pick up along the way are the most vital -
fans, spirited students, and believers in talent. We
couldn't do this show with you.
Designers, start your engines.
- Jimmy
October 28, 2006
So, the information meetings were so much fun and a
big success. Parsons had over 100 people attend and
F.I.T. had its biggest turnout ever with over 130
people!
Each year, I always think I'm going to go to these
meetings and see 2 very different types of student.
Surely, Parsons and F.I.T. are different in so many
ways, but in doing this show for so long, I have
realized that designers have a common thread, and it
isn't just the love of fashion. Both students are
hungry and passionate. Both want to make it in this
cut throat industry. Both see beauty in a special way
that will continue to change clothes, Vogue, fashion,
standards, and fabric forever. More than anything,
both want a taste, if not more, of this dream they've
had for as long as they can remember. I love that. I
love fashion school kids. I love providing what could
be considered by some as the first step on a very high
ladder with Fusion.
This year I'm very excited to see the talent
submitted. I will be spending more time on each
application than I have in years past. Before, I might
skim a paragraph and do few double takes at
collections that were seemingly uninspired. This year,
I understand the commonthread a bit more and realize
there is no such thing as uninspired, for everyone
wants a taste of their dream, and every dream is
different. So, good luck with your applications and
may Fusion be one of many steps that lead you to your
own defination of success.
- Jimmy
September 23, 2006
This is the first blog I've ever done. It's hard to
believe, for me, that after 7 strong years, Fusion is
still having "firsts." That's the best thing about
this show, it's constantly changing. Each year, a new
group of designers comes in and not only constructs
unique, beautiful, innovating clothing, but they also
put their stamp on the show as a whole.
Right now, the strongest stamp is coming from Michelle
Larsen, our webmaster. Michelle is a former F.I.T.
designer of Fusion (word has it she's applying again),
and her dedication and vision for Fusion is strong,
current, and revamping our image. Her work reminds me
of why we started this show in the first place. For
fun. For up-and-coming talent. For experience. For
friendships. For the future.
I really hope we have a huge turnout at our
information meetings. I hear that F.I.T. is coming out
of the gate strong this year and that many people are
interested in applying. I look forward to breaking the
record for applicants and finding a F.I.T.
coordinator. Over at Parsons, Annie Lim, who has been
a part of Fusion for 3 years, is not only holding down
the fort, but remodeling it as well.
So, here's to my first blog and a record breaking
year. Here's also to Annie Lim for being my right-hand
woman. Here's to Michelle Larsen for her vision and
her advertising expertise. And, of course, here's to
Fusion 2007. I'll keep you posted.
- Jimmy