The University of Applied Arts in Vienna presented the ‘Show Modeklasse’ for the first time last week, a fashion show where design students present their designs. From graduation collections made from repurposed materials to a special collection of all-blue looks, the show showcased a wide variety of styles of fashion.
The show took place under the creative direction of designer Grace Wales Bonner, who has been Head of the Department of Fashion Design at the University of Applied Arts Vienna since 2020. Imogen Snell and Riccardo Castana from the London design studio ISStudio and the fashion class themselves were also involved in the conception of the show.
Viennese waltz, cornflower blue and presentation of the Rondo fashion prize
At the show, the designs of different years were shown – from creative minds from the advanced semesters to designers who showed their graduation collections. “The students in the fashion class gave an overall strong, vocal and lively sign of life,” writes the university in a statement.
During the event, the Rondo Fashion Prize 2022, which is endowed with 3,000 euros in prize money, was awarded. The award, which is given annually and was sponsored by the jewelry and watch label Saboteur for the first time this year, went to Fritz Hassler. In his graduation collection ‘Treacherous Roads’, Hassler reinterpreted archetypal characters and idealized wardrobes – inspired by his own queer biography. For the eight looks created, the aspiring designer used deadstock materials and various upcycling elements: he used a baby blanket from his girlfriend, fabrics designed by his grandmother and knitted samples.
Tina Lichtenstöger, as the second graduand, showed her graduation collection called ‘Reserved Adventure’ that evening. The collection themed contemporary menswear and consisted of looks in different shades of red. Lichtenstöger used high-quality materials such as hand-dyed silk and transparent linen fabric.
The show was musically accompanied by a specially created version of the Viennese waltz by the Ambassade Orchestra Vienna. The choreography was matched to the music piece by performance artist MJ Harper.
The finale of the show featured a variety of looks dubbed ‘Blue Project’, created by different students but all in a bold shade of blue. Inspired by the very color that French artist Yves Klein is known for. To capture the evening, a short film by Matt Lambert was shot during the show, which will premiere during the Angewandte Festival at the end of June.
