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Parsons School Of Design Reveals Innovative Support Of Alumni

Loknath Das

May 27, 2017

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Earlier this month, I partnered with my collegiate alma mater Parsons School of Design and alternative retail pop up company byReveal to showcase select items of my ethical fashion collection.

Recognized as one of the premiere fashion design schools in the world, Parsons’ list of graduates reads like a whose who of the fashion industry. Designers like Alexander Wang, Donna Karan, Anna Sui, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs and duo Proenza Schouler attended Parsons before their talents turned their names into global fashion brands.

As I foraged my own path to become a designer, I studied the only female fashion designer I knew as a teenager growing up in Indiana- Donna Karan whose bridge label DKNY was my favorite in the early 2000’s. I learned that Karan received her education at Parsons and decided that after securing an economics degree from Spelman College- I would also go to Parsons.

Parsons partnered with by REVEAL, founded by Harvard Design School candidate Megan Berry who started by REVEAL as her graduate architecture thesis. Megan is currently on leave form Harvard’s Graduate School of Design to launch her company. By Reveal was selected as a 2017 Fashion Group International rising star finalist for retail and officially launched in September 2016 at New York Fashion Week.

David Zheng

Attendees of The New School alumni day take a closer look at alumni Autumn Adeigbo’s ethical fashion collection.

When asked about the concept behind her company, Berry shares, “We live in a world where we can test, iterate, and showcase instantaneously with technology. We have limitless access to share knowledge and creativity. However, it is difficult to do that in the physical world, with long lead times and high costs for physical experiences. Our REVEALs are mobile, can setup quickly anywhere for a day or a month, and can appear wherever people are: galleries, sidewalks, parks, events, and shopping destinations. Each REVEAL is a capsule vignette, showcasing just a taste of what can be found online or elsewhere. Additionally, each REVEAL is wired for data collection, so emerging designers, brands, retailers, and artists can test and learn more efficiently.”

Considering the current state of the traditional retail environment where shoppers aren’t shopping like they used to, alternative spaces like by REVEAL provide effective ways for fashion brands to reach customers without the overhead of a brick and mortar, and an avenue for Ecommerce brands to get their product in front of customers who want to feel and perhaps try on luxury product before investing in it.

Parsons and by REVEAL showcased the designs of myself and 2014 graduate designer, Amber Groen during alumni day, where alumni are invited to attend a day of scheduled events that reconnect them with one another, faculty and the Parsons executive / board communities.

David Zheng

Garments by designer Amber Groen at Parsons / The New School’s Alumni Day.

According to Amy Garawitz, Senior Director Of Alumni Engagement at The New School, Parsons parent institution, “Alumni involvement with their alma mater is vital to every institution of higher education.  Engaged alumni provide colleges and universities with knowledge about outcomes, feedback on their programs’ strengths and opportunities for advancement.  They help show current students what is possible, and represent the institution to the world.  Engagement is crucial in order for colleges and universities to fully and accurately incorporate alumni into the ‘story’ of their institutions.”

The Reveal, which was held at the evening social hour in the concourse of the main New York City campus building, attracted hundreds of alumni who were engaged and excited to touch and ask questions about Amber and I’s work that was on display.

David Zheng

The crowd gathers at New School at New School alumni day to see work of fellow alumni showcased via byREVEAL.

Garawitz adds, “It was an absolutely wonderful addition to the day and provided alumni an ‘insider’ look at two stunning collections.  It is always our goal with Alumni Day to provide opportunities that are exclusive to our community and this delivered on all fronts.  You and Amber were the ideal representatives for this reveal – your collections are accomplished, sophisticated, and have stories to tell.  It was clear that alumni were impressed by both of you, and also proud to be part of a community that claims such talent.”

Connecting with fellow alumni at these kind of events allows entrepreneurs to build a connection with individuals that you already have a strong networking link to: the pride of attending the same school. I met everyone from Ecommerce managers to principals at branding companies, all extremely useful networking contacts for my entrepreneurial path.

You never know where building a strong relationship with your college can lead. Universities often have powerful supporters and friends in the political, entertainment, social good, and entrepreneurial worlds. For example, Parsons just had its annual benefit where Rhianna and Karen Katz (president and chief executive office Neiman Marcus Group) and designer Eileen Fisher were honored.

If you stay in the know with what your school is up to, you may become inspired by an event they are working on and pitch a partnership that is a win-win for both of you. By staying in touch and engaging your school’s faculty you can build a strong relationship with them. That way, when a new opportunity arises, you may be the on their short list for collaboration.

Autumn Adeigbo,  

CONTRIBUTOR

I share my startup journey launching a women’s fashion brand.

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