Boston’s Newbury Street, dotted with art galleries, fine eateries and eclectic shops, provides the perfect setting for the region’s only educational institution devoted entirely to fashion, The School of Fashion Design. The windows draw spectators with themes that range from popular culture to classy throw-backs. Jay Calderin, fashion author, designer and instructor at the school, is a fashion icon himself as he’s the founder of Boston’s Fashion Week. Every facet of his work involves guiding future designers. Jay says that tomorrow’s designers learn the basics as well as specialties like tailoring, athletic wear and accessory design at SFD. He believes that “serious students seeking fashion careers are looking to develop a set of valuable and transferable skills in an environment that is challenging and nurturing. The faculty at the school is diverse, but we have one important thing in common, the desire to create this kind of educational culture.”
On the impact of graduates on trends, he says, “I think the School of Fashion Design influences trends in an unexpected way. It’s not about the hot new color or the latest hemlines, but instead about excellence. Every graduate that has mastered the skills required to make a quality garment is educating consumers and raising the bar for the rest of the industry.” Jay went on to say that “…trends are really just constructs that business and the media use to sell the most to the many. Real fashion at the source is about ideas and craft. I like to encourage people to look for the designers who are more focused on these things because, the chances are much higher that they’re going to get beautiful well-made garments that become part of their unique lifestyle rather than emulating one that the powers that be have created for you.”
Alison Harris, media relations director for Elevate Communications, served in Governor Patrick’s administration, held three rising PR positions at Harvard, wrote for the Boston Herald, and worked for Liz Claiborne and Tommy Hilfiger. Alison Harris is our ground reporter for Boston.
