fast 2021 spring showcase recap
On May 28th, FAST at UCLA held its 19th annual Spring Showcase. FAST has been celebrating the creativity and talent of its student designers for 20 years, and we are so happy to continue that legacy. This year, all the FAST committees contributed to reimagining a unique approach to our annual runway celebration. The show not only features the work of our incredible student designers, but it also utilizes the creative skill sets of each committee to organize an industry level show. From the modeling committee to the production team, we are so proud of our members for coming together and working digitally alongside each other to make this show a huge success.
Led by President Hope Pham and Vice President Marissa Shankar, the FAST Executive Board hosted our first virtual Spring Showcase. Conducting a virtual event is a daunting task, but with the help of the twelve FAST committees, we found a way to make it happen seamlessly while celebrating with our friends and family.
President Hope Pham
We crafted a hybrid event of live speaking and recorded designs. The 2021 showcase featured an exclusive look at a 40-minute video, filmed and edited by the FAST film committee (led by Isabel Spooner Martinez). We loved to see a new and fun perspective to designs as brand ambassadors showcased their own individuality. Designers and models had greater creative freedom in choosing the location of each outfit, and many design videos conveyed a charming narrative.
From Nic Chu’s anime inspired streetwear, to Chizaram Iwuanyanu’s “Motherland” collection, to Lauryn Ilasco’s nostalgic inspired “Playing Dress Up” collection, there was no shortness of color, imagination, creativity, originality, and innovation. This year’s designers successfully upheld FAST’s main ambition: to celebrate UCLA student talent. Every spring showcase reminds me of how lucky I am to be in a space with so many artistic and brilliant individuals, and this year was no exception.
Sneak peek of the design process
Congratulations to the twelve student designers featured in this year’s show, and a huge thank you to the industrious workers in FAST at UCLA who worked tirelessly to make this year’s show such a grand exhibition! Much love to the FAST Fam, and I can’t wait to see all that you do in the future! Based on this year, I think it’s safe to say that FAST is capable of mastering any challenge thrown their way. I am already counting down the days until next year’s show!
Grace Constable