Showstopping Gowns—And Sentiments, Too—At Pratt’s Graduation Show

There were proud parents aplenty at last night’s 2010 Pratt Institute Fashion Show. The evening’s honoree, Catherine Malandrino, gave a heartfelt speech thanking the fashion folk in her adopted New York City, then humbly handed off the baton, telling the young designers backstage that it was their turn to move fashion forward. One suspects they will—the many graduate sportswear collections that strutted down the runway featured everything from a natty take on English home counties gear (Abby Powell) to a camp take on rockabilly (Julie Ann) to Margiela-by-way-of-Beyoncé conceptual curve-skimming clothes (from the design trio twentyten). Then there was Michael Jackson, who arrived courtesy of costumer Rayneese V. Primrose’s award-winning “Thriller: Death to the Homecoming Queen” designs. Along with her Michael manque, who moonwalked down the catwalk in red leather and studs, Primrose had got up a model in a gigantic gothic gown as detailed in its frothy construction as much of what shows up at the couture (pictured above). (Style.com humbly submits that if Primrose does not immediately find employment in Hollywood or on Broadway, she should move to Paris and apprentice with John Galliano.) Even Primrose’s gown wasn’t as gigantic, however, as the showstopping number created by Eveningwear award winner Timothy Kuzmeski, which required two attendants to help move it down the runway. Kuzmeski had another showstopper up his sleeve, too—when all the designers came onstage for their bows, he turned up in a T-shirt hand-embellished with a sentiment that nicely summed up the evening. It said: “Thanks Mom + Dad!”

—Maya Singer