Siempre Mujer magazine, a Spanish-language lifestyle magazine for Latinas in the U.S., today announced that Editor-in-Chief Jessica Torres will join a prestigious panel of judges to select the winner of the fourth-annual Siempre Mujer-sponsored Best Use of Color Award for The Future of Fashion, the Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) annual end-of-year runway show, hosted by Leandra Medine, founder of Man Repeller and author of “Man Repeller: Seeking Love. Finding Overalls.”
The Best Use of Color award is given to the student designer whose use of color most enhances the design of his or her garment. The winning look will be selected during Judging Day on April 20, and presented at The Future of Fashion show on Thursday, May 5, at 7:00 p.m. at FIT’s John E. Reeves Great Hall. The designer will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Siempre Mujer.
“Siempre Mujer is beyond thrilled to contribute and take part in this highly-anticipated annual event,” says Torres. “I’m personally excited to serve as a guest judge for the first time since being named Editor-in-Chief, and can’t wait to see the innovative designs from up-and-coming talent.”
FIT’s The Future of Fashion is the place for established designers, editors, and other VIPs to preview the fashion industry’s most promising young designers. Nearly 80 designers selected from a class of 168 students. The collection of designs displayed on Judging Day included five specializations offered at FIT in women’s knitwear, sportswear, intimate apparel, special occasion and children’s wear. Additionally, the professionally produced show also featured a capsule exhibition by graduating Fashion Design students who spent their final year at the college’s Milan campus at the Politecnico di Milano.
In addition to Torres, the media and fashion industry professionals serving as judges for this year’s runway are Ken Downing, (Neiman Marcus), Nicole Phelps (Vogue Runway), David Thielebeule (WSJ Magazine), Lilliana Vazquez (Today Show) andAnnie Georgia Greenberg (Refinery 29).
Each year top industry designers and fashion houses mentor the students as they create their own final collections. This year includes Dennis Basso, Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia, and Dushane Noble of Narciso Rodriguez. Plus, Gabriel Asfour of Threeasfour, will serve as mentor in the new wearable technology space. Every participant will also choose one outstanding garment in his or her category to receive a special Critics Award.
The Future of Fashion show is supported by generous donations from the Calvin Klein Foundation, as well as Calvin Klein, Inc., MAC, Chico’s FAS and Siempre Mujer magazine.
MAC and its team of makeup artists will return to offer makeup artistry and creative services for the show. Celebrity hairstylist,John Barrett of John Barrett Salon will also direct a team of hairstylists for the annual event.
While admission is by invitation only, the runway show will be streamed live online at fitnyc.edu/futureoffashion.