arts of fashion
Resilience
2013 International Student Competition
The Arts of Fashion Foundation International Fashion Student Competition is a global fashion design student contest. An American organization bringing together emerging fashion designers from around the world to share and celebrate creativity in Fashion. Linking both academics and professionals alike, it is dedicated to fostering international cultural exchange through the creation of a variety of educational programs meant to facilitate critical thinking and advance the field of fashion among artists, designers, scholars and students.
The AOF 12th annual Fashion Rendez-Vous took place in the downtown of San Francisco, California at the beautiful old Federal Reserve Bank building: the Bently Reserve, on October 24, 2013.
An all-day scheduled event with international guest speakers, ending with a special evening Fashion Show Award Ceremony, rewarding 50 emerging talents from around the world.
The AOF 2013 Competition theme was 'Resilience'.
Brendan was one of the major finalists, rewarded with a Scholarship to the Paris, France 2014 Summer Masterclass held at the Louvre.
brendan's resilience project lepidoptera
Lepidoptera, a delicate, spirited creature, the moth is one of nature’s smallest resilient species.
In every stage of its metamorphosis, the moth takes a form; egg, caterpillar, cocoon, moth, egg, caterpillar, cocoon, moth… survival. Immobilised and restricted within a protective shell, neither wind nor water can penetrate its sturdy, silken, cocooned sheath. Feathery like antennas, mesmerising silky reflections, the moth can disguise itself within surroundings, with striking patterns and eye markings on their wings which cause an illusion deceiving true size. Even in death their form is resilient as their beauty remains intact for centuries.
(Brendan Smith presented silhouettes 1 & 2) as shown below of his entry submission and the prototype making also finished garments.
in Brendan's words
"The Arts of Fashion international student competition was such a memorable project to be a part of. A lot of research and development went into my entry submission. I remember the excitement of seeing my name on the AOF website shortlist. Then commencing the project: the long days and nights involved; hand sewing of beads, pearls and sequins. Appliqueing metres of fine lace trim and machine gathering that amount of bridal tulle... was fun at 2am in the morning with my neighbour banging on the floor of his apartment above for me to stop! haha
Also sending my completed garments by air freight to San Francisco – the custom packaging looked like a cardboard coffin. I later found out that the founders of the competition were extremely surprised upon delivery and couldn't wait to open it.
After my garments were sent and generous fundraising from my school, friends and family, I flew to San Francisco to attend the fashion parade. I was greeted by my parents who had travelled to San Francisco to surprise me and share the experience. To hear my name called out when the prizes where announced and my mum's reaction were truly honourable moments.
News spread fast on social media and I received messages from friends back in Australia that night. It felt like I was floating on clouds – I hardly slept that night due to excitement.
Thank you Arts of Fashion and everyone who supported me, you know who you are."
Highlights from San Francisco
Student finalists who attended the AOF event and fashion parade. Sitting on the steps of the Federal Reserve Bank building: the Bently Reserve, on October 24, 2013. Brendan Smith is in the back row far left.
View the evening Fashion Show Award Ceremony, showcasing Brendan's designs here.
