Written by Hana Hyman
Photos by Hana Hyman and Taylor Krankowski
Taylor Krankowski on the steps of Eckburg.
Friday May 2, the fashion seniors experienced their last critique. Final. Ultimate. Climactic. The end-all be-all of critiques. Naturally, District checked in with designer Taylor Krankowski after it was all over.
All of Krankowski’s models arrived to Eckburg Hall this time, giving the designer a chance to see all of her garments worn at once for the first time. Krankowski recalled Professor Anthony Miller surveying her collection and declaring, “This is adorable.”
Each model walked in her outfit, and as each passed, a professor complimented Krankowski on her work. While this sort of critique is not as in depth as others, it was clear the collection was strong and harmonious.
Krankowski’s “I Scream” collection. Details of Krankowski’s final two looks.
Later that day, the list was posted in Eckburg—the list that says whether or not you made it into the jury show. If your ID is not on the list, you are not in the jury show. If you are not in the jury show, you will not be in the actual fashion, show either. Krankowski’s number was missing from the list.
“It’s disappointing … I met all the criteria for the critique,” said Krankowski. In order to be accepted into the jury show, the student must have completed all of the five required looks and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in his/her major. Not only were Krankowski’s garments fully finished—not a stitch to be made—but also her GPA exceeds the minimum requirement.
Krankowski’s “I Scream” collection. Details of Krankowski’s final two looks.
“It’s something where you’re working so hard, you want to be rewarded for your hard work,” said Krankowski. “And, if it were something that was based on opinion, like the fashion show, it wouldn’t be such a tough pill to swallow. The fact that this [jury show] is based on strictly critique and being graded, basically, is what probably was the hardest to take. I’ve only had good reactions to my collection, so I’m confused.”
Krankowski planned to inquire about the reasoning behind her exclusion from the show on Monday. It was easy to think there was a mistake. The list contains only ID numbers, leaving more room for error than if the students were listed by name.
“I can’t think like that,” insisted Krankowski. “It would be really disappointing to be said ‘no’ to twice. But, I’m proud of what I did. There’s nothing that I would have done differently. I’m very happy with what I’ve made and I’ve gotten only good reactions from it … It’s definitely not that I’m embarrassed or that I don’t think that I did enough. It just sucks that I don’t know why. I just wish I had an explanation for it.”
Krankowski’s “I Scream” collection. Details of Krankowski’s final two looks.
Krankowski speculated that perhaps childrenswear had been cut from the show this year completely, knowing that the only other childrenswear designer also did not make it into the jury show. Only time will tell if this is true. Krankowski expressed regret for her young models, who had been so excited about the prospect of stomping on the catwalk.
Come Monday, Krankowski did speak to her professors. “The teachers think I didn’t get in because the runway is so complicated,” she said. This year’s show is to be held at the SCAD Museum of Art and involves a long and winding pathway for the models to traverse. Still, this was only the instructors’ theory.
The very next day, Krankowski’s parents received a phone call from none other than Michael Fink, Dean of the School of Fashion. Krankowski immediately divulged what news the dean had shared.
“He messed my numbers up … I’m in the jury show.”
Stay posted for another update on Krankowski next Wednesday.
Read this week’s update on Fashion Show model Tori Dubray.
