The Academy of Art University Celebrates Their Class of 2019 With a Star-Studded Fashion Show

The Academy of Art University celebrated the class of 2019 with a Graduation Fashion Show with French fashion house On Aura Tout Vu in the audience.

Honorees Yassen Samouilov and Livia Stoianova of On Aura Tout Vu

Olya Kuryshchuk and Lara Johnson-Wheeler

Mia Mandich and Camille Ashley

A runway look by Camila Pinzón

Jill D’Alessandro and André Walker

Dinner at The Big 4 restaurant

Simon Ungless and Christine Suppes

THE PARTY Fashion designers observe students’ talent and a guest lecture, and attend a dinner for visiting guests with university President Elisa Stephens as part of the multiday event.

THE GUESTS At dinner and the show were Palo Alto haute couture collector Christine Suppes, Fine Arts Museums curator Jill D’Alessandro, fashion designers André Walker and Edwin Mohney, Olya Kuryshchuk of 1 Granary, Sara Kozlowski of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and British journalist Lara Johnson-Wheeler.

THE HIGHLIGHTS Models paraded students’ work at California Hall, a former rock concert venue and now university classroom, while a band played hits from the ’60s to the ’80s. Honorary doctorates went to Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov of On Aura Tout Vu, whose apparel has been worn by Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Madonna, among others. As fashion school executive director Simon Ungless prepped the models, Samouilov felt only relief. “It’s rare for us to be backstage,” he says, “and feel this calm.”