Covid-19 has impacted everyone´s lives. Gatherings and events got canceled. We were instructed to practice social distancing or to stay at home. But what about vital milestones like weddings and graduations? Well, everything had to go the online route or get postponed. Some people went all the way and created online venues that were cooler than real-life ones. That was the case of Amity University that organized a digital event with a 3D catwalk for their Fashion students graduation.
GRADUATING DIARIES
Every student of fashion dreams of the day where they finally get to showcase their first-ever collection to the public eye. There’s a roller coaster of emotions rushing through at the thought of canceling, postponing, or creating a “meh” the show. At the end of the day, the students have been working so hard for almost a year to put together their own collection for this “Gradshow 2020”.
Program Leader Ms. Richa Gupta & the entire team of the Department of Fashion Design at Amity University Dubai decided to try a new and creative way. Their focus was to create a successful and special event as a farewell for their first fashion students batch.
FROM THE STUDENTS´ SHOES
Swathy Vasu, Fashion Design student of Amity University Dubai, shares her viewpoint about the graduation show.” It was a chance for us to put our creativity and identity together showing how much we’ve grown and improved since the first day we walked into those classrooms.
” I don’t think any of us realized that the last day we would spend together on the campus was going to be months before the end of the course.”
Swathy Vasu
We felt powerless when we learned that our graduation collection might not get the chance to shine under the spotlight. But our professors saved the day by putting forward a revolutionizing idea, a virtual fashion show. I’m not going to lie, it was tricky at first. Everyone had to adapt to the changes that were happening quickly but I think that’s the beauty of it, coming together during a crisis and helping each other out.
THE FUTURE OF FASHION?
Nida Sakhir, another student, explains “Creativity and innovation are the core foundation in the fashion industry. Amity University Dubai left no stones to hit their final year student even during the current coronavirus crisis. The faculties played smartly with technology in the months of the quarantine. As a fashion student, I see the virtual runway as a next-level product out of sheer creativity and innovation. The show was unlike any other graduation. The outfits hugged gracefully every curve of the visible models- although they were not real. There was also no visible audience, but people were there and still, they can keep on watching the show.
In my opinion, fast fashion will lose its appeal in no time. As a new fashion graduate, I will dedicate my concentration and time to produce more classic, timeless outfits that can stay in one’s wardrobe for longer.
By debuting in a digital fashion show, the university has also shown another way to conduct a fashion show in an innovative and sustainable way.’’ This might be the future of the fashion industry.
Shahana Karim, another fashion design student continues, “We were so upset when we thought that we wouldn’t be able to showcase our graduation collection. But then our Program Leader came up with the idea of a virtual fashion show and it really excited us. We could showcase our collection and also our digital portfolio. I would like to thank Amity University Dubai for giving us this opportunity and also our faculty members who also supported us throughout.”
Aparna Nair adds “We are really blessed. We have a team of faculties who would work for days and nights to give us that one shining opportunity. We presented a digital fashion show amidst the pandemic. All of our designs walked a virtual runway through a virtual model.
It was an exhilarating experience and one of a kind too. Fairly, it was a great, ingenious alternative for a traditional fashion show. The show gave exposure and also followed our sustainability policy. Nothing in this entire process harmed the environment. “
“In our changing world, virtual fashion shows might just be the answer.”
Aparna Nair
HOW DO YOU DO A VIRTUAL FASHION SHOW?
Fashion graduating student Nadeera Khalid shares the behind story of the show. “When 2020 came in with the coronavirus pandemic I believed that all the graduation expectations I had were just dreams. Thinking about what to do, our faculty came up with the idea of conducting a virtual fashion show for the first time. We were excited and confused at the same time. How is that possible? Will this be a tougher task? How are we going to conduct a virtual fashion show without any prior knowledge? Having all these questions in front, we were ready to accept the challenge and make it possible.
The models, makeup, garments, ramp walk… were virtually created. Since this was our first experience everything got in place with our faculties help. First, we did the digital illustrations using Adobe Illustrator. We had to define every detail of each garment. Ms. Richa Gupta and Mr. Yulious Shamsudhin (Faculty & Graphic Designer) coordinated the fashion and the technology part. The virtual fashion show was a different experience and we are proud and happy for the outcome.”
THE VERDICT
More than 500 viewers witnessed their pieces through their screens. I was one of them and all I can tell is that I was impressed with the work and the creativity I saw. Watch out! Because if this is the first batch, this is the beginning of something beautiful and revolutionary. Congratulations to all!
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