Academy of Art University's fashion school will honor fashion designers James Galanos and Ralph Rucci at the Graduation Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 25, 2008. The guests of honor will each receive a Doctor of Humane Letters from University President Dr. Elisa Stephens.
"Both James Galanos and Ralph Rucci are known for their luxurious taste and impeccable technique," said Stephens. "The students are thrilled to meet and show their work to two of America's greatest fashion designers. We are truly honored to have them as our guests."
Guests have the chance to interact with students during a Q&A panel discussion as well as a static exhibition where graduates display work and show their portfolios. Traditionally, guests of honor select an intern.
Past Guests of Honor include: Rosita and Tai Missoni, Oscar de la Renta, Rose Marie Bravo, Zandra Rhodes CBE and Koos van den Akker, Josie Natori and Fern Mallis, Joan Kaner and Jeremy Scott, Azzedine Alaïa and Carla Sozzani, Alexander McQueen, Christophe Girard, Robert Mettler, Wilkes Bashford, and The Honorable Bertrand Delanoë, Mayor of Paris, Dame Vivienne Westwood DBE, Loulou de la Falaise, Robin Givhan and Zac Posen.
Ralph Rucci
In 1982, Ralph Rucci launched his line and in 1994, established his ready-to-wear line, Chado Ralph Rucci. In 2001, Rucci was invited to show his haute couture line in Paris by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne. Rucci is also a painter whose work has been shown in across the country, including the Serge Sorokko Gallery.
James 'Jimmy' Galanos
Often referred to as "America's greatest designer," James Galanos opened Galanos Originals in Los Angeles in 1951. His clients included Diana Ross and former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Galanos is also a photographer whose work has been shown across the country.
About the School of Fashion
Established in 1929, Academy of Art University is the largest accredited private art and design school in the U.S. with over 12,000 students. The fashion school houses nine areas of specialization: Fashion Design for Womenswear, Menswear, and Childrenswear; Textile Design; Knitwear Design; Accessory Design; Costume Design; Fashion Illustration; Fashion Journalism; Fashion Merchandising and Visual Merchandising.
Gladys Perint Palmer, Executive Director of Fashion, is a working journalist and illustrator. In 1998, The Fashion Book (Phaidon Press) named GPP one of 500 people of influence in fashion since 1860. She contributed work to Victoria & Albert Museum's 150th Anniversary Album and the exhibition at the V&A in London.
Simon Ungless, Director of Graduate Fashion, graduated from Central St. Martins School of Art and Design. Ungless collaborated with Alexander McQueen on the first 10 collections shown in London and New York. His work experience covers Fashion Design, Textile Design, Forecasting, Brand Development, and Marketing for Givenchy, Paul Smith, and Versace.
Sharon Murphy, Director of Fashion Merchandising, has spent over 25 years in the apparel industry including management positions in sourcing, manufacturing, product development and fashion retailing. She has worked for Esprit de Corp and Jessica McClintock, Inc.
Graduates have worked at companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Chloe, Diane Von Fürstenberg, Donna Karan, GAP Inc., Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Nike, Nordstrom, Reebok and St. John.