Even though she considered her work “sort of outside the lines of fine art,” Leah Rama (M.F.A., fashion, 2015) decided to enter her designs in The World's Biggest Art Show Ever, an Adobe x Colossal competition. She was interviewed a few weeks later, and then was selected as one of the 10 finalists to be featured.

The competition selected 10 international female students to have their artwork hand-painted by Colossal as giant murals on buildings in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The show aims to highlight and empower female creatives by giving them a platform for expression.

“As a female creative, I want to be one of the mold-breakers in my generation, to pave a way for fairness and respect for skilled artists and designers of all backgrounds,” Leah said. “Adobe is giving me a chance to be seen and shift the balance in a positive way by sharing the thought and work that goes into what I do, and I hope that other companies will follow suit by intentionally pursuing equality and highlighting underrepresented creatives.”

Leah’s piece, “See the Unseen,” is from a larger conceptual study and is meant to be a call to action. Her designs are inspired by ghosts and what they represent in culture. She found strong connections between the way we talk about ghosts and the way we interact with the digital world. A portrait of Perchta von Rosenberg, Leah’s own supposed family ghost, appears throughout the textile designs.

“Ghosts are normally thought of as people, but they can also be regrets, dreams, hopes, better versions of ourselves,” Leah said. “They are things that exist whether we choose to see them or not.”

‘See the Unseen’ asks viewers to consider the unseen effects of their choices and perceive their power as a resource for the changes they want to see. It challenges people to choose to care about more than themselves.

“Associated with being only skin-deep, the fashion industry is ripe with many legitimate social, political, ethical and environmental grievances,” Leah said. “As a designer, I want to help resolve these problems, part of which requires an alternative way of seeing the world that allows for change on a deeper and more powerful level.”

The mural of her work will be up at Morgan and Flushing avenues in Bushwick for at least one month. Then the work’s fate will be decided by the building owner. As for Leah, she plans to attend the Three Percent Conference, which supports more female creative leadership in advertising agencies, this fall.

“This was truly a remarkable experience!” Leah said. “It was great getting to know such storied and talented creatives over this event. I have nothing but great appreciation and respect for Adobe choosing to highlight women as an underrepresented demographic in creative fields.”

Click here to request more information or apply to SCAD.

Photos by MRY & Adobe Potographers

At her first audition for Project Runway in 2007, the judges weren’t sure Merline Labissiere (B.F.A., fashion, 2011) would last long in the competition. She had an associate of arts degree in architecture from Miami Dade College and no formal education in fashion. She was entirely self-taught, turning pieces she found at thrift stores inside out and tracing them.

It was disappointing to be turned town, but Merline didn’t give up. A few months later, she enrolled at SCAD where she could blend her appreciation for the clean lines of architecture with her love of fashion.

“I got the feedback and I went to school and I learned as much as I could,” Merline said. “I graduated from SCAD and I was like, ‘I think I’m the bomb.’ … And then I thought I was amazing and I’m like, ‘I learned everything I need to learn, right?’”

Because of her senior collection for SCAD, Merline went straight to being a semifinalist in her second audition for Project Runway in 2012. Although she didn’t make it all the way, she took a year off and focused more on self-branding and the business side of fashion.

“I became very business, you know?” she said. “I learned how to brand myself really well — and I feel like my degree from SCAD is not just a fashion design degree. I feel like SCAD taught me if I didn’t know how to do something, go find it. … They teach you how to research, they teach you how to think outside the box, and they teach you how to think for yourself. They teach you how to find your own answers.”

Right before finally making it onto Project Runway, Merline discovered what her designs had been missing: a client. By tailoring her designs for “her girl” — the working woman in a creative field who wants something between businesswoman and hipster — she found her purpose.

“If you’re designing and you don’t have a purpose, you’re just designing for the win,” she said.

She found more than just her purpose at Project Runway, however. Being surrounded by other talented designers showed her ways to improve her own work.

“Everyone was a genius,” she said. “Everyone just had their own strengths that I really admire. … I just watch other designers — how they work and their techniques. I constantly watch for what makes someone a faster sewer — what are they doing that I’m not doing?”

And even outside the competition, she remains close with some of the designers from the show.

“All 16 of us shared this amazing experience. No one could describe it to you. You had to be there. I think that created a bond that we won’t ever forget.”

“It’s like a family,” she added later. “We’re bonded forever. We’re Season 14 forever.”

Since finishing the competition, Merline is ready to move on to the manufacturing stage for her label. That means stepping away from her artistic side and treating her work as a product with costs and profits. And she’s not intimidated by acting as her own CEO; she wants to see the numbers.

“Now I’m getting excited about the business side. Without that side, you’re just a struggling artist,” she said. “I didn’t want to be a struggling artist my whole life, so I went to SCAD. I want to be a businesswoman.”

Much of her success comes from her ability to stay humble and acknowledge which areas need improvement.

“One thing I’m doing is I’m not afraid to say, ‘I don’t know,’” Merline said. “I have so many people in my life who are invested in me and take the time to show me the business. I’m not gonna pretend I’ve got it all together anymore. It’s too exhausting.”

In addition to having her own label, Merline also runs a non-profit called Provoke Style Fashion Camp where she teaches fashion to inner city kids as part of an after-school program.

“They have to do fashion sketching, they have to learn how to sew, they have to make two garments for the program fashion show,” she said. “The community comes out and the parents come out.”

Her partners originally just wanted to do something for the students that would make them feel good about themselves, but Merline took it further, insisting that the students would feel good after creating a portfolio they can use for college.

“Imagine inner city: they don’t dream. They’ve been told it’s not really going to happen,” Merline said. “And then I come in and go, ‘You can be a fashion designer.’ At first, they really didn’t believe me. And then they created two garments.”

For Merline, it’s important that she gives something to the next generation of designers who will be industry stars before we know it.

“It can’t just be about producing. It has to be bigger than just making and doing and selling.”

Click here to request more information or apply to SCAD.

You know how a visit to a museum leaves you feeling so inspired and invigorated? SCAD FASH is making sure its guests can hold onto that sensation with far more than your usual exhibition poster. The new museum gives visitors the unique opportunity to purchase a SCAD-commissioned, limited-edition fine art piece specifically designed for each exhibition.

For the inaugural SCAD FASH show, “Oscar de la Renta,” SCAD alumna Lucha Rodriguez (M.F.A., printmaking, 2011) created 300 meticulously cut paper works inspired by the patterns, techniques and signature style of Oscar de la Renta's designs. Each piece was hand-crafted by Rodriguez in collaboration with SCAD Atlanta faculty and students.

Rodriguez’s designs are the first in the SCAD FASH 300 collection. Every SCAD FASH exhibition will feature a 300-piece, show-specific body of art created by SCAD alumni, with each one available for purchase for $300.

Rodriguez, a Caracas, Venezuela native, designs vibrant prints and intricately cut paper works from her Atlanta studio. A recipient of the 2010-2011 Emerging Artist Award from Atlanta’s Forward Arts Foundation, her prints and surreal installations have been exhibited in numerous solo and group shows in the U.S., Mexico, India and France.

For her SCAD FASH 300 collection, Rodriguez looked to Oscar de la Renta’s use of floral motifs, bright colors and luminosity. First, she created three original hand-cut designs that she then translated into a digital format. From there the prints were laser cut in various manipulations and individually pieced together by hand. In collaboration with SCAD Atlanta students and faculty, Lucha finalized her designs on-site at SCAD Atlanta.

Here, Rodriguez discusses the impact Oscar de la Renta has made on her work, and what it means to return to SCAD for this project.

SCAD: What are your thoughts on Oscar de la Renta and his legacy?

Lucha Rodriguez: I’ve always admired him. One of the things that stuck with me was when he said in an interview, “You should always have what you love.” You can miss anything else, but not the things you love. That stuck with me because the thing that I love most is art.

I also remember Oscar working all over the world. I was living in Venezuela at the time, watching him and all these designers and artists traveling everywhere and I realized that there’s so much to see and to learn from. It’s really inspiring to watch something that global, this language you can develop through art and design to communicate an idea. You don’t even need to know the language. Great design translates — you just see it and it makes sense. And that’s one of the things I loved about Oscar.

SCAD: How did de la Renta’s work inform what you created for SCAD FASH 300?

Rodriguez: For the latest Oscar de la Renta collection, the house was doing lots of lace with laser cuts. My shapes are usually more organic, but I wanted to mimic a little bit more of that visual style of lacing — of how delicate it can be. I thought it was a good relationship to my work, which was already organic.

My design is also inspired by nature because Oscar used lots of floral prints. It’s about creating a balance with the natural world, between humans and the environment.

SCAD: Growing up in Venezuela, were you always interested in art?

Rodriguez: I was always that kid drawing on the floor, on walls, everywhere. When I’d receive a gift, I would make something with the wrapping paper. The way I relate to the world and to others has always been through art. I communicate my feelings by making a little drawing, making a tiny little sculpture. Even when I had a fight with my brother, I would draw something in charcoal that said, “I don’t like you,” and put it on his bedroom door!

SCAD: Describe what it was like having the SCAD community come together to help you create 300 hand-made designs.

Rodriguez: It’s been amazing, even just coming back through those doors. I told Professor Robert Brown [chair of the SCAD printmaking department], “I felt goose bumps just being back in here.” I love this print shop. There’s so much opportunity here. You don’t know how much you have until you leave school. I spent so much time in the shop, experimenting with the presses. Being back has given me this new, fresh energy. I’m so happy to be here, and the students have been so willing to help and learn.

There’s an energy at SCAD that compares to nothing else. No other school has the spirit that SCAD has. It’s everywhere — in the students, the buildings, the work. It’s so powerful and you know that if something comes from SCAD, it’s going to be overwhelming and excellent.

I take every opportunity I can to come back to SCAD because I know I’ll be working with other creative people that love what I love. It’s sort of like a big family.

Click here to request more information or apply to SCAD.

Seven wins thanks to 11 SCAD students and alumni — that’s the takeaway from the Red Dot Awards for Communication Design. Here are the winners:

• Jing Li (M.F.A., illustration)
• Diego Penuela (M.F.A., illustration, 2014)
• Nicholas Lawrence (B.F.A., sound design, 2015)
• Thomas Schmidt (B.F.A., sound design, 2015)
• Liam Murphy (B.F.A., animation, 2015)
• Matt Yocum (B.F.A., sound design)
• Kai Paquin (B.F.A., sound design)
• Adam Nelson (B.F.A., film and television, 2015)
• Tate McCurdy (B.F.A., film and television, 2015)
• Alex Previty (B.F.A., sound design, 2013)
• Beau Jimenez (B.F.A., sound design, 2014)

More information about the Red Dot Awards and the winning projects can be found here.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Since graduating in May, Becky Bungarz (B.F.A., accessory design, 2015) has gone on to intern with Coach. This is what she’d remind her younger self about her college experience:

Take part in any portfolio review and any chance to meet with industry professionals. Those experiences are priceless. I'd suggest that all students really take advantage of the facilities, and also to collaborate with other students. That's probably the best part of being a part of a community like SCAD. You are completely surrounded by people with similar interests who are exceptionally talented.

Relax more and enjoy the ride. College is about learning and growing, I shouldn't have put so much pressure on myself to try to be so perfect. You're expected to make mistakes and mess up so that you can grow.

Watching your own collection go down the runway at New York Fashion Week is the dream of many designers. For alumnus Kathleen "Kate" McKenna-Schliep (B.F.A., fashion, 2015), she had the surreal experience of seeing that dream come true last week. And with it came the $10,000 grand prize and top honors at the eighth annual Supima Design Competition.

Her West African and Haitian voodoo-inspired collections went down the runway at the Skylight Clarkson Sq gallery space on Sept. 10, and will also be seen during Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 2 at Hôtel de Pontalba — the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to France, Jane Hartley.

Here's Kate on her prestigious win:

The Supima competition has hands down been one of the most amazing experiences of my life — I could not have imagined just three months after graduating I'd have the opportunity to share my work at such a huge event. So many designers dream of showing at New York fashion Week, and many work their whole lives chasing that dream — and I am so lucky for having the chance to do that so early in my career.

I am so honored and fortunate to have had the support system from SCAD and our fashion department. My mentors Evelyn Pappas and Stephanie Foy, the sewing technicians, Dean Fink and Chair Oeltjenbruns have been behind me 100% every step of the way, and I am so appreciative of their guidance and the amount of time they gave to help me make this dream happen. They all believed in my vision and stood by me every step of the way and I am so grateful! I've never been more proud to be a SCAD graduate.

The Supima experience is something that I will never forget. I'm so humbled by all the kind words and praise that I've been getting since receiving the award. It's been so overwhelming!

We wish Kate all the best and can't wait to see what she does next!

Click here to request more information or apply to SCAD.

Where do SCAD alumni retreat and reunite? In the golden light of the flower-covered Luberon Valley of Provence and within the stunningly restored structures of Maison Basse at a tranquil place known as Lacoste, France. Below are some scenes from the September 2015 alumni retreat.

It's only been a few months since the 2015 Fashion Show and graduation, but Zach Selby (B.F.A., fashion 2015) is already working hard to put his mark on the industry. As an intern at Wes Gordon, he's getting some exciting guidance and experience in the professional fashion world.

We caught up with Zach to learn more about his post-grad life:

SCAD: It's been a long time since your first day at SCAD. What advice would you give your younger self?

ZS: I would tell myself to take any opportunity SCAD has to offer and take advantage of all the resources SCAD has, including career services and facilities within other majors. Think about collaborating with other talented students in other majors that will complement your creative passion for fashion.

SCAD: What have you been up to since graduating in May?

ZS: I am currently interning at Wes Gordon in New York City and am looking for a job in New York. I always wanted to be part of New York Fashion Week and interning here is enabling me to do so. At Wes Gordon I do a little of everything. I assist with pattern-making for the collection, make trips to local mills, embroiderers, pleaters, fabric stores, create technical flats for upcoming garments for their collection, spec sheets for fabrics and organize model castings and will eventually help with the show.

SCAD: Were there any opportunities you went out of your way to take?

ZS: I am so glad I took the opportunity to join competitions including the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund. Winning the YMA twice has opened many doors, connected me to people within the industry of fashion and built long-lasting relationships. I also collaborated with different majors, including photographers to help present my work and create imagery for my portfolio. I am so grateful that I built relationships with every single fashion professor. That was really important to me because they really want to see you succeed and will help you in any way. I am so grateful for SCAD because of its abundance of opportunities.

SCAD: When you think about the future, where do you see yourself in the next few years?

ZS: I see myself working as a fashion designer at a growing fashion brand or label that will expose me to how a fashion business runs and allow me to learn from the best in fashion. I will eventually start my own label and open my own business under my full name: Oliver Zachary Selby. I am excited to see what the future holds and I am taking one step at a time toward making my dream of starting my own business come true.

SCAD: When you're working on your own designs, what do you look to for inspiration?

ZS: I really think that nature is a great influence on my designs — not just the image of it, but the adventure behind it. I want to see how I can fit functionality into a chic, sophisticated style while viewing my customer as someone who lives a chic, cool lifestyle, looking for adventure in the world.

Click here to request more information or apply to SCAD.

Hero image of Zach's work by Maddie Ivey

It could take a lifetime to conquer your fears, personal and professional. Michelle Poler (B.F.A., advertising, 2011) decided to face hers one day at a time. It’s just that the days will soon total 100. Thanks to her videographer and brother Daniel Poler (B.F.A, film and television), who also studied at Savannah College of Art and Design, she is broadcasting every stomach-turning, sweat-inducing moment on her blog 100dayswithoutfear.com. 

Watching Poler triumph over each challenge — like Bodypainting Day — is addictive. Her project has gone viral and Hollywood or Y'allywood may soon ring her for the rights. As she nears the end of her adventure, we asked Poler to share what she has learned about fear. Here’s what she told us after facing number 82: 

1. I learned that fear lives in our heads and it is completely up to us to replace it with other feelings. For example, I've been able to replace fear with curiosity in some cases.

2. I learned that even though fear is universal, no one has the same set of fears, but the way we deal with them is very similar, so we can all relate. That's why my project went viral: it is a human truth.

3. I learned about the power of asking for things. I was bad at asking people for favors and this project taught me that if you don’t ask you don't get.

4. I learned to always ask myself, 'What's the worst that could happen?' before saying no to the unknown.

5. I learned to trust myself and my ability to stand up for myself and defend myself in any situation. I proved that I'm capable of being alone and that I'm able to enjoy it.

Judging from her videos, Poler hasn't had much time to be alone, which brings up another lesson from 100 Days Without Fear: facing your fears also means asking for help. 

Breast cancer awareness has exploded. Celebrities proudly announce preventative mastectomies and NFL players don pink gloves and shoes. Yet after her diagnosis with Infiltrative Ductal Carcinoma at age 27, a mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries, Dana Donofree (B.F.A., fashion, 2003) couldn’t find a bra tailored for her new shape. The process left her in tears.

So the fashion designer launched lingerie line AnaOno Intimates especially for the millions of women living with breast cancer. “I literally made it my job to find a bra on the market that worked for me for three years and I found two,” Donofee said. “A lot of women going through cancer don’t have that sort of time.”

Traveling internationally as director of design and manufacturing for a children’s accessory company, Donofee investigated how bras are made in order to create a solution. After a woman undergoes a mastectomy and reconstruction, the general problem is the fit. Underwire, used to move breast tissue into position, is too inflexible for breast cancer survivors who have implants. “Anything you put on you have to dress around the circumference of the implant, so the whole sizing just gets thrown off, which makes it more difficult to shop," Donofree explained. It was the perfect challenge for Donofree, and her rigorous training in Savannah College of Art and Design’s fashion program had prepared her to meet it head on.

I get emails from women who say, ‘I have been wearing sports bras for 15 years. You think, ‘I’m alive, who cares if I can’t find a bra.’ — Dana Donofree

The answer is a selection of bras that beautifully match women's tastes and medical circumstances. The AnaOno style guide maps out Donofee's functional designs. Having worked in high fashion, she didn’t neglect the garments’ look, feel and materials, which include bamboo.

Why shouldn’t there be a product survivors love wearing? They have a lot of living left to do.

With her second shot at life Donofee is growing AnaOno Intimates and netting great praise and press, as much for her product as for her mission. Despite the niche nature of her lingerie, the pieces are affordable (because breast cancer treatment is not), and five percent of all sales go to foundations. Her winnings from the Fed Ex Small Business Grant are funding new marketing campaigns and product lines, including pocketed mastectomy bras and swimwear.

It’s hard work launching any business. But as she departed for Colombia to scout sourcing and manufacturing options—the country is an emerging market for lingerie and swimwear — she noted that the women she met in support groups, who are also her models, keep her going. After all, she works for them now.