Last night, the graduating class from Parsons The New School for Design showcased their work to a glitzy audience filled with fashionable spirits like Jason Wu, Vera Wang, and Patricia Field. BUT, before the glamorous were brought in for the party, friends and family were invited to a daytime showing of the Fashion Benefit at the Chelsea Piers. Minus the red carpet, this was a much more low-key affair. What we were all there for, the thesis projects of Parsons fashion design graduates, were allowed to shine in the absence of paparazzi. (Seriously, google the event and you’ll see pages of pics of the people who attended, but where’s the runway??) As an alumna of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons rival, it ached me a little to be there. But the fashion was superb. There were Lady Gaga worthy sheer pants that draped across sky-high heels. Yarn was twisted and molded into everything from cocoon vests to mini-mini skirts a la Rihanna. There was a skirt in something like horse’s mane. But also, some highly wearable, exquisite daywear that included dresses with contrast panels and zippers, brocade pants, and tailored coats. I didn’t get much in the way of pictures, but you can view the show online at http://www.newschool.edu/parsonsbenefit/
