The School of Fashion is pleased to share that the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has released the CFDA+ 2017 Talent Book which identifies the top design graduates from around the world. The CFDA+ 2017 list spotlights 41 global talents selected from 24 leading fashion institutions. Out of the 41 designers chosen, seven were graduates from the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. From the global community of invited colleges, Academy of Art University had the most talent included in CFDA+ 2017. This recognition from the CFDA highlights the placement of Academy of Art University and the City of San Francisco on the international fashion stage.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association whose membership consists of more than 500 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry and accessory designers. With a mission to strengthen the impact of American fashion in the global economy, the CFDA is devoted to supporting the overall growth of American fashion, and creates initiatives such as CFDA+ to do so. “The CFDA and Eyes on Talents believe in pure talent,” said Sara Kozlowski, CFDA’s Director of Education + Professional Development. “CFDA+ 2017 previews tomorrow’s industry today, from the design specialists of Academy of Art University, to the systems thinkers at Parsons, the avant luxury makers at Polimoda, the menswear of Westminster, and the masters of vision at the Royal College of Art.”

“The seven Academy of Art University design graduates selected for CFDA+ should be very proud of themselves,” said Simon Ungless, Executive Director of the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University. “Their achievements are a testament to the Academy of Art University inclusive admissions policy and mission to provide students with a diverse, industry-focused curriculum, taught by industry professionals.”

CFDA+ 2017 Design Graduates receive a one-year profile-based showcase on CFDA.com, whose profiles are visible to the CFDA Membership community of 500+ leading American designers. Additionally, the CFDA is honored to continue its collaboration with Floriane de Saint Pierre’s Paris-based Eyes on Talents, which will generously spotlight CFDA+ and provide the talent with unique global exposure. “Eyes on Talents is once again delighted to join forces with the CFDA+ and contribute to the exposure of the 41 selected graduates to help them kick-start their career,” commented Floriane de Saint Pierre, founder of Eyes on Talents.

The list of outstanding design graduates selected for CFDA+ 2017 from the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California includes:

Carly Dean, MFA Textile Design, CFDA+ Profile, website, and Instagram
Peggy Kuo, BFA Textile Design, CFDA+ Profile, website, and Instagram
Fang Katy Liu, MFA Textile Design, CFDA+ Profile, website, and Instagram
Christina Miyagi, BFA Textile Design, CFDA+ Profile, website, and Instagram
Aastha Shah, BFA Fashion Design, CFDA+ Profile, website, and Instagram
Erika Tompkins, BFA Fashion Design, CFDA+ Profile, website, and Instagram
Ryan Zhen Yu, MFA Fashion Design, CFDA+ Profile, website, and Instagram