ASU FIDM students showcase work in fashion show inspired by '80s and '90s cars, culture

More than 20 ASU fashion students showcased their designs and their styling skills for the Los Angeles community at a special fashion show for the “Totally Awesome! Cars and Culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s” exhibition at the Petersen Automotive Museum, which was curated in collaboration with the ASU FIDM Museum, featuring cars, fashion and ephemera.

“Seeing my work in the show made me realize that bringing an idea to life and sharing it with others can be nerve-racking, but it’s definitely worth it,” said fashion design student Lauren Tafoya. “It was a truly pinch-me moment when it was our turn to walk with all the models for the finale.”

On Jan. 24, the museum hosted the fashion show in conjunction with its exhibition. Students in Apparel Construction II courses from both ASU FIDM's Phoenix and LA locations created jackets inspired by the era and the exhibition. The designs were influenced by everything from LA architecture and driving culture, to 1980s hair-metal icons and 1990s-era ska-punk band No Doubt, to “Top Gun” and neon arcades. Students played with silhouettes and prints, used vegan leather and patches, and even created their own textiles for the project.

“I really enjoyed having a clear theme to inspire my project: the nostalgic vibe of the '80s arcade scene,” Tafoya said. “It was my first time making a jacket in this style, experimenting with new fabrics, designing a pattern for the arm-zipper pocket and embroidering an iron-on patch.”

The students’ designs were featured in the gallery alongside the cars, followed by a fashion show and party on the Petersen’s penthouse rooftop. At the fashion show, some students also modeled their own works, and other designs were modeled by volunteers who attended the ASU FIDM model casting.

Students in John Stevens and Joe Zee’s ASU FIDM styling classes also volunteered backstage, working with professional fashion show producer Shifteh Shahbazian.

“ASU FIDM has taught me so much about garment construction, fit and styling, and I was incredibly grateful to apply those skills during such a rewarding night,” said Brianna Walsh, a student in one of the styling classes. “I assisted with garment preparation, organizing looks and helping bring designers’ visions to life while playing a supportive role that required collaboration and efficiency.”

Students at ASU FIDM get support and guidance for navigating the global industry, including building community across its Downtown Phoenix campus and ASU California Center Grand location in the LA Fashion District. Phoenix-based students attended the event as part of a turn-around field trip organized by the school. The trip also included a tour of Brooks Brothers at the Beverly Center, a visit to notable LA clothing manufacturer Lefty Production Co., and a book signing and discussion with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robin Givhan on the life of designer Virgil Abloh and his rise to the top of the fashion industry. The Robin Givhan lecture was hosted by the ASU FIDM Museum and the Black Design Collective.

ASU FIDM — home to the ASU FIDM Museum, LA’s only fashion museum — has become well-integrated in the LA fashion industry as well as in the larger creative community in LA, giving students access to unique experiences that help cultivate successful careers. Dennita Sewell, the director of ASU FIDM, has a longstanding relationship with Petersen as a curator on prior shows, and ASU FIDM Museum co-curated the fashion for the “Totally Awesome” exhibition, which explores the intersection of automobiles and popular culture, in collaboration with the Petersen Museum curators.

The fashion show allowed students to showcase their skills to a wide audience and to expand their community in the world of fashion and beyond.

“This experience was such an amazing opportunity to meet so many creative and driven individuals,” Walsh said. “The entire night strengthened my confidence and my ability to play an important role in such a fast-paced and creative industry.”

More than 150 people attended the event, including LA community members, Petersen Automotive Museum members and fashion enthusiasts. The Los Angeles Times attended the event and featured some of the student work in a video on its website and social media channels.

“Getting the chance to attend the Petersen event in LA was a dream come true,” Tafoya said. “This whole experience truly felt like a wonderful gift, helping me discover so much more about myself and my craft.”

Students and the LA community will have another opportunity to explore fashion and nostalgia this spring at the ASU FIDM Museum’s upcoming exhibition, “Obsessed: Fashion and Nostalgia in the ‘90s.” The exhibition will run Feb. 20–June 27 and will highlight how ‘90s fashion continues to inspire today’s creatives, acting as a counterpoint to our digital age, featuring the work of designers Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, Anna Sui, Franco Moschino, Gianni Versace and more.