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Excitement is building for the upcoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago Fashion 2013 The WALK taking place Friday May 3, not because it will be honoring sister design duo Laura and Kate Mulleavy and longtime SAIC supporter Melissa Sage Fadim. No, we are excited because we can’t wait to see the stunning pieces the students produce with models strutting them down the catwalk. Last year was our first year covering the SAIC Walk benefit and subsequent after event and WHOA! what a show.
During last year’s show a few pieces and collections caught our eye and we just had to find out what these designers are up to now. We talked to Leah Babette whose pieces we described as Rick Owens meets Matthew Williamson, and Alex Ulichny who won the 2012 Eunice Johnson Fellowship award.
What has Alex Ulichny been up to? Here he tells us, in his own words
Since graduating, I have been busy. Last summer, I traveled to Antwerp to research and to see the exhibition Nu_Fashion that showcased my collection and work from fellow SAIC students of Anke Loh (Associate Professor,Sage Chair in Fashion Design).
In January I finished a six-month internship at the house of Haute Couture Iris van Herpen, and I am currently interning in the atelier of Viktor & Rolf. This summer, I am excited for a trip to Los Angeles, and to begin work on my first collection since graduating.
After the show last year, I was very nervous about life after graduation and had no idea what this year would be like.
To the seniors showing this year, I say work hard and go!
What has Leah been up to since graduating from SAIC? In her own words
She recently participated in the Surround Sound of Fashion which took place at the Zhou B Arts Center. Since graduating from SAIC she has kept in touch with mentor professors that influenced and helped her during her time at SAIC. She’s been doing custom work* for clients that include Derrick Rose’s fiance Mieka Reese. When asked if she would rather move out of Chicago to gain more work/experience, Leah emphasized that she most definitely wants to stay in Chicago. The Fashion Design program is intense, required all nighters but during senior year there was a bit more laxity in terms of being given more control and trust to create their work.
An advice she had for the graduating seniors and juniors is to:
Focus on what you’re going to do after your coursework and graduation.
We look forward to seeing the work of this year’s SAIC Senior class and the junior,sophomore presentation. The talent is aplenty here in Chicago, it’s just up to us to support and build the next generation Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Wes Gordon, Cynthia Rowley, Tracey Reese etc.
*She had on the most amazing bad ass legit leather jacket during our interview that even I wanted to snatch it off her back and I don’t even wear leather.
Walk 2013 Co-Chaired Host committe includes: Nick Cave, Lester N. Coney, Amy Tara Koch, Ikram Goldman, Lynne Bredfeldt.
image: Alex Ulichny (Elaine Li), Leah Babette
