SCADstyle provides a celebration of experience, creativity and innovation.
Written by Mia Aponte, Photographs courtesy of SCAD
I had the privilege to attend this year’s SCADstyle events of week-long panels with creative visionaries within the fashion industry. Every year, SCAD brings in creative leaders from the industry to enlighten and inspire students and this year was no exception. From Wes Gordan to Francesco Risso, there was so much talent from one panel to the next. SCADstyle is not just an event; it’s a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the boundless possibilities of design. These panels and immersive experiences ignited innovation and fostered insightful conversations about today’s fashion industry.
SCADstyle is not about passive observation either, but rather active participation and professional development. The interactive workshops and panel discussions were intentionally designed to empower SCADstyle attendees with practical skills and fresh perspectives. Students, in particular, had the chance to fully immerse themselves in a rich learning environment. Ultimately, students left SCADstyle having gained invaluable industry insights from experts to then hone their own craft.
One of my highlights of SCADstyle was the opportunity to listen to the Creative Director of Carolina Herrara, Wes Gordan. Though the entire conversation was insightful, Gordan shared a specific bit of advice that stuck with me. “Every experience, regardless of what it is, is an experience. That will only make you stronger and help you along your path to where you want to go.” Gordan discussed the time he was working on his name label, and to build a clientele, he would do only trunk shows. He mentioned that while it was very humbling, it was an equally powerful experience because although it was tedious, he was able to understand customer wants and needs.
Another highlight of SCADstyle was the In Conversation with Marni’s creative director, Francesco Risso. The conversation started with an interactive experience where students had to create a garment with nothing but paper, pens and yarn. With only 50 minutes, students created full garment looks, handbags, paper corsets, you name it. Creativity followed effortlessly through the designs. Following the activity, students were able to attend Risso’s conversation and get an insight into his creative process. He emphasized that learning has always been a passion for him and having a small yet dynamic creative team has allowed a wave of new ideas and concepts for the brand. “Always go with your gut,” Risso said. “That instinct is better than any mirror.”
Overall, Savannah SCADstyle events this year were way more than just consecutive panels. They were portals into the creative minds shaping the fashion industry. These events encompass that true innovation springs from the fusion of imagination and action, and that every moment, every interaction, is an opportunity to grow, evolve and redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the world of fashion and design.
As Contributing Editor, Mia Aponte collaborates closely with staff and contributors to craft engaging narratives across various subjects. She is eager to infuse fresh perspectives and dynamic storytelling into her work and to help the contributors with their artistic pursuits. At SCAD, Mia majors in Fashion Marketing and Management and minors in Social Strategy and Management. She regularly offers opinionated pieces on numerous topics as well as pop culture insights. When she’s not writing, Mia is most likely thrifting, listening to music, or reading.
