FAST (Fashion and Student Trends), UC Berkeley’s contribution to the growing ranks of philanthropic fashion firms, is singularly laudable for being a hub for designers, trendsetters, and fans alike. The student group marked their tenth anniversary last spring, with X.
This Sunday, Chiaroscuro is expected to confirm a new direction and change of pace. FAST members are looking forward to this semester’s venue, the historic Berkeley City Club. “Everyone’s bringing their A-game, because of how fancy the event will be,” said co-president Yang Qu.
Moments before Tuesday’s Model Walk on Sproul (intended to publicize the show), Qu and a colleague had been defining “black tie” for the event to one ticket buyer. In a most Berkeley fashion, they’d told her attire is formal, that the “black” instructive was “for the guys,” and to wear what she was comfortable wearing.
Tuesday’s Model Walk; photo by Jear Keokham
Marketing director Sahar Ghassemi told us she already had her outfit planned. This year will be fancy, with a vintage feel from the venue, and “much more profound,” she told us. “We’re really looking forward to people dressing up, because we have a ‘Best Dressed’ contest during the show.” She gave us all the pertinent social handles (@fastcal across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to follow for live updates. “If you come, you have to dress up!”
The venue will also suit their theme, which comes from an Italian word combining light and dark. “Basically, it’s the interplay between light and shadow; the juxtaposition between light and darkness.” Qu explained to us that she and her co-president, Cory Mohn, presented the theme to the executive board for approval before announcing it to the designers working on this semester’s show. Her own collection for Chiaroscuro is titled “APEC blue,” a term which has turned from optimistic government policy into Chinese slang for “a [beautiful] moment that is over too soon.”
That’s how we felt about many of last year’s collections, including design director Shahir Shukor’s, which had involved (pant) legs for miles. This Sunday, the Berkeley senior reveals his fifth collection. “I’ve learned a lot; I really enjoy the process […] now I have to mentor and teach other designers.”
As someone relatively unfamiliar with art and art history, Shukor was also unfamiliar with chiaroscuro until a few months ago and for his designs, he went with a nostalgic feeling. “I was reminded of my mother, because she would always help me with my art projects. I really wanted to make an homage to my mother. From there, I wanted to modernize [traditional] Malaysian clothing by questioning the idea of cultural history, memory, and authenticity.”
This reminded us of former design director Soazig Kaam’s spotlight tribal-inspired collection, Negatives, from last year.
Negatives by Soazig Kaam pic.twitter.com/igEi8SwSwL
— FAST at UC Berkeley (@fastcal) May 4, 2015
Each designer will also have their own logo this year, said Ghassemi. A graphic design team’s made sure of that. Qu stressed the quality of this year’s designs: “We’re having our first ever full menswear collection, which is really exciting.” She spoke about the growth of the group, which has focused on strengthening outside partnerships with local fashion entities and alum, as well as expanding their reach this semester. FAST’s semester-end shows are consistently heavily attended, which was part of the reason for moving Chiaoscuro out of the Joseph Krutch Theater.
Meanwhile, their on-campus presence continues to expand: “We’re getting more and more applications this semester. I’m really looking forward to it, because it’s my second last show,” said Shukor.
Tickets for Chiaroscuro at Berkeley City Club on Sunday, December 6 can be purchased on Sproul ($10), online ($12), and at the door ($15). This semester’s proceeds will go toward Project Night Night. And don’t forget the black tie.
No Comments