See Every Look From Pratt's 2023 Student Fashion Show

A look by designer Yichen Lu
Photo: Courtesy of Pratt

Every year, the Pratt Institute highlights the work of its graduates with a student fashion show. On Wednesday, it staged its 122nd (!) at Pioneer Works, showcasing pieces by 21 graduates of the fashion design program.

The event began by honoring Robin Givhan, The Washington Post’s senior critic-at-large, with Pratt’s Fashion Visionary Award. (Previous recipients include Gabriela Hearst, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia.) When she joined the paper in the mid-’90s, she quickly became the authoritative voice on the industry, while also writing for outlets like Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, New York Magazine and The New Yorker. She remains the only person to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize for fashion criticism.

“Fashion has never been more powerful and as a form of communication,” she said in a speech before the show. “Fashion helps us sort out our identity, define our power and find our place in the world. To every student embarking on a career in the fashion industry, my wish for you is that you find satisfaction, joy and meaning, and that you can pay your bills. And I also hope that you make the industry more inclusive, more sustainable.”

Then came the runway, which showcased the work of student designers whose collections explored a range of themes, from gender to sustainability. Each collection varied significantly from one another, but they all came together in a beautiful amalgamation of aesthetics. The looks ranged from motor core-inspired knits with colorful race track patterns to innovative garments made out of tech-enhanced recyclable fibers, both speaking to major trends — and to issues within the industry today.

One student — Yichen Lu — won the prestigious Christopher Hunt “On Point” award for her collection, selected by Pratt’s fashion department faculty for the $5,000 prize.

This year’s graduates are especially impressive, given the fact that they completed their foundation year remotely, learning techniques like how to cut patterns and sew over Zoom — a testament to the group’s diligence and commitment.

See each collection from Pratt’s 2023 student fashion show below.