Academy of Art University 2026 Graduating Fashion Designers Present Annual Fashion Show "US NOW"

SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Academy of Art University unveils " US NOW" , its annual fashion showcase featuring bold, concept-driven collections from the School of Fashion's class of 2026. Staged in downtown San Francisco for a live audience, the event will also simultaneously stream to a global audience at 7:00 PM PST on Thursday, May 7, 2026 , welcoming both the local creative community and international viewers to experience the innovative work of emerging designers who represent fashion's next generation. Highlights of the collection include: BFA Fashion Designer Brittany Patterson , a U.S. Air Force veteran whose designs are inspired by poppy flowers and camouflage: symbols of remembrance that rewrite uniform codes and celebrate color in everyday life. MFA Costume Designer Patric Yikun Wang , who shares a reflection on queer experience and the power of transformation. BFA Fashion Designer Fiza Riyas , whose designs are driven by a narrative of intense spiritual expression, representing a childhood memory of the Theyyam ceremony in South India. MFA Fashion Designer Eva Kam draws from East and West cultural heritages, blending geometrical structure with softness and fluidity in a collection inspired by Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. BFA Fashion Designer Ella Romano , BFA Fine Art student Justin Federico, and BFA Fashion Design graduate Katelyn Knapp created a collaborative collection titled Substrata, which rejects traditional structure in favor of a process driven by instinct, material, and time, producing silhouettes inspired by geological formations, stalactites, and erosion. BFA Fashion Designer Katherine Van Kraut , also turns to nature for inspiration, resulting in a collection utilizing wood and bark in sculptural silhouettes. "I am inspired by the extraordinary talent and bold vision of this year's nineteen graduating designers. Each collection reflects not only a mastery of craft, but the discipline, courage, and distinct point of view that define the next generation of fashion" said Elisa Stephens, President at Academy of Art University. "To see their work debut on the runway before members of the fashion press, established industry leaders, and global brand voices is incredibly significant. And through the Academy's live stream, their work will resonate with audiences around the world. This moment marks not an ending, but a powerful beginning. These collections are more than portfolios—they are declarations of identity and intent, and true springboards into the careers these designers are poised to shape. I could not be ... Full story available on Benzinga.com