Fiber Design Program – Runway 4.0 & Display Sneak Preview

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[Photography by Bruce Fox, Buffalo State College]

Deconstructed Screen Printing technique covered various methods from predictable to unpredictable and beyond. Experimenting with deconstructed printing, photo emulsion and stencils gave the students a wide range of possibilities. Using thickened dyes, textile paint and a wax resist on different materials allowed the students to explore mark making and textures in 2D as well as in 3D forms. Experimenting was a big part of the process and the variations were endless. Exploring different ranges of techniques such as felting, embroidery, shibori, appliqué, papermaking and mixed media was an exciting part of the creative process. Other new techniques featured at the Runway 4.0 were Nuno felting in combination with Deconstructed Screen Printing. 

Our main focus for Runway 4.0 was on creating new patterns, yardage on silk, rayon and cotton – for actual garments as well as for wall hanging artworks at our stationary display. Diversity Mash was in our case also a celebration of different vintage textile materials, found objects, combined together in a search for a final form/transformation of those reclaimed/recycled pieces. Part of the wearable art collection is also included in a special Fiber Design Wearable Art category of the fashion show.

Jozef Bajus, Associate Professor
Coordinator of the Fiber/Design Program at BSC
EMAIL: BAJUSJ@buffalostate.edu

Interview with Senior Designer Samantha Seccombe

Q: Tell me how your collection is going for the show!
A: Everything is really starting to take shape.  It began as stressful, but it is really exciting to see what you imagined on paper transform into something real.  All of the hours that were put into this have definitely paid off!

Q: Fashion is obviously a huge part of your life, tell me a little bit about what fashion means to you…
A: Fashion is a way to show people who you are on the inside by looking at you from the outside.  It is a means of expression that can be as wild or subdued as you want it to be; it is a wonderful and challenging art form that I have really gained an appreciation of over the past few years.

Q: The theme of the show is “Diversity Mash”, how does diversity play a part in your life?
A:   I think diversity plays a part in all of our lives, especially in America.  Fashion is what it is today because of the blending of so many different cultures and beliefs.  There is such a variety in the fashion industry and that’s part of what makes it so special.

Q: How do you think Runway 4.0 will differ from the previous fashion shows?
A: I think that all of the previous shows have been great!  It differs from year to year because every student is different and provides their own unique concepts of how they define fashion.

Q:  Buffalo’s Fashion is certainly growing. How do we differ from other places like NYC and L.A.?
A:  The feel of Buffalo is definitely closer to that of NYC than it is to LA.  I think Buffalo has a growing fashion industry with plenty of young designers emerging from the Buffalo State program.  Many places in Buffalo have such an eclectic feel, like Elmwood Village, Allen, and Main Street, that you can please a variety of different types of people with interesting designs.

Q: Who are some of your inspirations?
A: John Galliano! I am in love with Galliano and he is the reason I decided to pursue Fashion Design.  I think that he is, without a doubt, one of the most talented designers who have ever lived.  Even though there has been controversy surrounding him lately that I don’t agree with, I believe he will get back on his feet and continue to create beautiful artwork.

New Updates: Student Awards

We are proud to announce…..some exciting new awards for Runway 4.0!!

SENIOR COLLECTION

Nancy Belfer is sponsoring 1^st place award for senior collection of $1000

Research Foundation is sponsoring 2^nd place awards for Senior Collection of $750

Research Foundation is sponsoring 3rd place awards for Senior Collection of $500

STUDENT SECTION

Eastman Foundation is sponsoring 1^st place awards for Student Section for $500.00

WEARABLE ART DESIGN SECTION

Elaine Polvinen is sponsoring 1^st place awards for Wearable Art Design Section for $500.00

Runway 4.0: Nancy Belfer Senior Collection Award

Nancy Belfer is sponsoring the Nancy Belfer Senior Collection Award for Runway 4.0.

She is a retired professor from the Design Department at Buffalo State College, where her teaching responsibilities were in the areas of textile weaving and related fiber techniques.  Her MFA is from the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Her work, in both textiles and mixed-media, has been included in numerous  regional and national exhibitions, including the Burchfield Penney Art Center where she had a solo exhibition  in the Sylvia Rosen Gallery and is in the museum collection.  She has been in group shows at the UB Anderson Gallery, the Carnegie Center of the Arts, the Albright Knox Collectors Gallery, Hallwalls, and the Indigo Gallery.

She is a Crafts Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts and, as part of the US State Department Arts in Embassies Program, one of her  large tapestries was included in the two-year exhibition at the American Institute in Taiwan. She currently has pieces on exhibit [A Circle of Influence]  at the Indigo Art Gallery on 4 Allen St., Buffalo, NY, 14202.

Runway 4.0: Wearable Art Design Award

A Wearable Art Design Award will continue for Runway 4.0 for the art-to-wear section of the Runway event.  A fiber design exhibition from Design department professor’s Jozef  Bajus’s  students are also part of the Runway event. The wearable art design award is sponsored by Elaine Polvinen, Professor and coordinator of the Fashion Technology Program.  

Nancy Belfer

Nancy Belfer will be the judge for the $500.00 Wearable Art Design award that is sponsored by Professor Polvinen.

Nancy Belfer is a retired professor from the Design Department at Buffalo State College, where her teaching responsibilities were in the areas of textile weaving and related fiber techniques.  Her MFA is from the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Her work, in both textiles and mixed-media, has been included in numerous regional and national exhibitions, including the Burchfield Penney Art Center where she had a solo exhibition  in the Sylvia Rosen Gallery and is in the museum collection.  She has been in group shows at the UB Anderson Gallery, the Carnegie Center of the Arts, the Albright Knox Collectors Gallery, Hallwalls, and the Indigo Gallery.

Nancy Belfer is the sponsor of the Senior collection award for Runway 4.0.

Runway 4.0: Nancy Belfer Senior Collection Award

Runway 4.0: What? Where? When? What Time?

What? For those of you that are not familiar with the Runway events produced by the Fashion Technology Program at Buffalo State College, the Runway event spotlights senior collections from fashion students and students selections. If there is space we add invited alum and instructor  collections and work from WNY designers. This event contains 98-99% original one of a kind fashions. All of the work from students, instructors and alum are one of a kind original fashions. It is a very unique and eclectic event. Here is alink to the ARTVOICE-TV video from Runway 3.0.

When? Saturday, April 16th, 2011

Where? Pierce Arrow Building on Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo New York

What Time? 4Pm and 9 PM show [VIP starts at 7PM]

How much for tickets?

4PM show
Students $10
General $20

9PM Show
General $30.00
VIP $100 [includes reception starting at 7PM]

Where are tickets on sale? Tickets will be on sale starting March 7th, and are available at Wegmans and Rockwell hall.  For VIP tickets call 878-6018, starting March 1^st.