2026 Runway Fashion Show "US NOW" - Fashion School Daily

Academy of Art University 2026 Graduating Fashion Designers Present Annual Fashion Show ‘”US NOW’

Designer Roy Halston Frowick to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate, posthumously

(Thursday, April 16, 2026 – San Francisco, CA) – Academy of Art University unveils US NOW, its annual fashion showcase featuring bold, concept-driven collections from the School of Fashion’s class of 2026. Staged in downtown San Francisco for a live audience, the event will also simultaneously stream to a global audience at 7:00 PM PST on Thursday, May 7, 2026, welcoming both the local creative community and international viewers to experience the innovative work of emerging designers who represent fashion’s next generation.

Highlights of the collections include:

BFA Fashion Designer Brittany Patterson, a U.S. Air Force veteran whose designs are inspired by poppy flowers and camouflage: symbols of remembrance that rewrite uniform codes and celebrate color in everyday life.
MFA Costume Designer Patric Yikun Wang, who shares a reflection on queer experience and the power of transformation.
BFA Fashion Designer Fiza Riyas, whose designs are driven by a narrative of intense spiritual expression, representing a childhood memory of the Theyyam ceremony in South India.
MFA Fashion Designer Eva Kam draws from East and West cultural heritages, blending geometrical structure with softness and fluidity in a collection inspired by Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
BFA Fashion Designer Ella Romano, BFA Fine Art student Justin Federico, and BFA Fashion Design graduate Katelyn Knapp created a collaborative collection titled Substrata, which rejects traditional structure in favor of a process driven by instinct, material, and time, producing silhouettes inspired by geological formations, stalactites, and erosion.
BFA Fashion Designer Katherine Van Kraut, also turns to nature for inspiration, resulting in a collection utilizing wood and bark in sculptural silhouettes.

“I am inspired by the extraordinary talent and bold vision of this year’s nineteen graduating designers. Each collection reflects not only a mastery of craft, but the discipline, courage, and distinct point of view that define the next generation of fashion” said Elisa Stephens, President at Academy of Art University. “To see their work debut on the runway before members of the fashion press, established industry leaders, and global brand voices is incredibly significant. And through the Academy’s live stream, their work will resonate with audiences around the world. This moment marks not an ending, but a powerful beginning. These collections are more than portfolios—they are declarations of identity and intent, and true springboards into the careers these designers are poised to shape. I could not be more proud of what they have created—and of the impact they are about to make.”

The Honorary Doctorate ceremony will precede the show, honoring the legacy of the designer Roy Halston Frowick (1932 – 1990) whose minimalistic silhouettes and fluid designs determined American style in the 1970s. Brook Frowick Drummond, Halston’s niece and board member of the With Love Halston foundation, will represent the late designer and receive an honorary doctorate from President Stephens.

The award marks the partnership between With Love Halston and the School of Fashion for a tribute collection of ten student designs inspired by the Halston legacy and Halston Official Archives, focusing on floral motifs and designing in the Halston aesthetic. The premiere of this capsule collection will be previewed at the US NOW show. This will be followed by a special event on May 8 produced by Union Square Alliance as part of their annual Union Square in Bloom campaign to showcase downtown San Francisco with a fashion show in Union Square Plaza from 1 PM to 3 PM, where the winner of the With Love Halston challenge will be announced by a panel of guest judges.

“The team at With Love Halston strives to honor and uplift Halston’s incredible legacy and talent, celebrating the man and genius who pinned American fashion on the map. Honorary Doctorate recognition from Academy of Art University and the opportunity for the With Love Halston design challenge in collaboration with Union Square Alliance’s SF in Bloom initiative cement our role in uplifting San Francisco’s creative community” said Brook Frowick Drummond. “We aspire to inform the next generation of fashion designers about Halston’s lasting style and elegance that was transformative for American Fashion. We see talent and creativity in each of the students we worked with and appreciate their hard work and dedication to interpreting this challenge.”

“We introduce a new Generation of Designers” said Executive Director of the School of Fashion, Neil Gilks.“The latest cohort of our fashion students are redefining the runway as a platform for self- expression, critical dialogue, political comment and personal storytelling. Moving beyond aesthetics, these emerging designers use fashion to engage with issues such as beauty, identity, power, climate, and justice. Each collection reflects a distinct point of view, transforming garments into statements that challenge, question, and provoke. Rooted in diverse experiences, their work demonstrates a commitment to using design as a form of communication.”

Academy of Art’s 2026 graduating designers have received guidance from the School of Fashion’s faculty alongside members of the University’s Fashion Industry Advisory Board, a distinguished network of industry professionals. The board includes Daniel Reynolds, Senior Design Director at Print Tory Burch; Helen Bullock, fashion illustrator and print designer (with recent collaborations including [brand names]; Alex Brownless, CEO and Co-Founder of Arts Thread and the Global Design Graduate Show; Jane Francis, Artist, Designer, Creative Practitioner, Gallerist, and Researcher; Simon O’Mahony, Head of Creative Talent Acquisition, Gap Inc.; Tessa Ito, Global Omni-Channel Merchandising & Product Strategist; and Justin Newlin, Director for Executive Search for Creative, Design and Product at PVH: Calvin Klein + Tommy Hilfiger.

International industry experts attending the event include Dean Sidaway, Mariana Vidal Escabi, Diego Cristancho, Milen Krastev, Heeson Kang, and Tomomi McMasters. Advisory Board member and industry guests’ bios will be available at FashionSchoolDaily.com.

The 2026 Academy of Art 7:00 PM “US NOW” Fashion Show is by invitation only. The live stream of the event is free to access by RSVP here. The public is welcome to attend a 2:30 PM preview of the “US NOW” Fashion Show and may reserve tickets here.

In the days leading to the show you can meet all the designers in the show and read their bios at AcademyArt.edu/runway, on Instagram at @AcademyUFashion, and the blog FashionSchoolDaily.com. A selection of hi-res images with their credits and designer sketches can be found here and at AcademyArt.edu/Runway.

For more information, please visit https://www.academyart.edu

About Academy of Art University

Established in 1929, Academy of Art University is one of the largest private, accredited art and design schools in the nation. As one of the oldest art schools located in San Francisco, the epicenter of culture and technology, Academy of Art University offers more than 129 accredited degree programs—available online and on-campus—spanning 70 areas of study, including entertainment arts, advertising, fashion, architecture, game development, music, communications, photography, and more.

About With Love Halston:

Roy Halston Frowick, known simply as Halston, was an American fashion designer who started his career as an illustrator and window display artist in Chicago. He acquired international fame in the 1970s with his minimalist, clean designs, often made of cashmere, ultra-suede and silk chiffons and jerseys that were a new phenomenon in the high society circles. Essentially, Halston redefined American fashion.

Halston personally appointed his niece Lesley Frowick as guardian of his archives. Her mission is to disseminate the Halston legacy on the highest level. The With Love Halston foundation was founded together with fashion industry experts Audrey Schilt and Scott Vogel and the late Steve Gold launching the scholarship initiative to celebrate Halston on the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2022.

For more information on Union Square in Bloom and Union Square Alliance, please contact Will Reisman at will.reisman@progress-pa.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Glodow Nead Communications | AcademyArtPR@glodownead.com

Academy of Art University | Jana Memel, Executive Vice President of Brand Storytelling: JMemel@academyart.edu

School of Fashion, PR Office | Elena Eberhard: EEberhard@academyart.edu

Watch last year’s show on YouTube:

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About the School of Fashion

Students pursuing a Fashion Design degree from the Academy of Art University learn from the finest creative minds working in fashion today. They have access to the tools and cutting-edge facilities needed for creating collections that garner accolades. Fashion students the world over gain experience designing styles that are the future of the industry. The School of Fashion offers degrees in the following areas of specialization: Fashion Design for Womenswear, Menswear, and Childrenswear; 3D Design and Pattern Making; Textile Design (including Knitwear Design); Costume Design; Fashion Journalism; Social Media Management; Fashion Marketing (and Brand Management); Fashion Art Direction; Fashion Styling; Fashion Merchandising (and Management); and Fashion Product Development.

The University works with international brands and recruitment agencies for internships and job placement. Graduates have gone on to such companies as Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Alexander McQueen, Athleta, Azzedine Alaïa, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Bill Blass, Blanc de Chine, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Corso Como 10, Chloë, Diane von Fürstenberg, Donna Karan, Gap, Kate Spade, Kiton, L.A.M.B., L’Ecole Lesage Paris–Atelier de Broderie, Levi Strauss & Co., Liz Claiborne, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Martin Margiela, Martine Sitbon, Missoni, Neiman Marcus Group, Nike, Nordstrom, The North Face, Old Navy, Oscar de la Renta, Phillip Lim, Pottery Barn, Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Roland Mouret, St. John, Threeasfour, Tocca, Viktor & Rolf, and Williams-Sonoma.

Guests to the School of Fashion include Zaid Affas, Azzedine Alaïa, Prosper and Martine Assouline, Max and Lubov Azria of BCBG Max Azria Group, Yigal Azrouël, Geoffrey Beene, Rose Marie Bravo, Alex Brownless of Arts Thread, Sarah Burton OBE, Creative Director for Alexander McQueen, Andrew Buckler, Julie Chaiken, Kenneth Cole, Giles Deacon, The Honorable Bertrand Delanoë Mayor of Paris, David Downton, Steven Cox and Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown, Patrik Ervell, Loulou de la Falaise, James Galanos, Olya Kuryshchuk and Aya Noël of the publication 1 Granary, Lutz Huelle, Designer, and David Ballu, President of Lutz Huelle, Lisa Smilor and Sara Kozlowski, both of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Joan Kaner, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony, Antonio Lopez, Fern Mallis, Alexander McQueen, Enrique Meixueiro, Executive Editor of Vogue Mexico and Latin America, Rosita and Tai Missoni, Angela Missoni, Margherita Missoni, Buxton Midyette, Isaac Mizrahi, Josie Natori, Ian Hannula and Joe Haller of N.I.C.E. Collective, Elisa Palomino, Laure du Pavillon, Lars Byrresen Petersen of Visionaire, Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Zandra Rhodes CBE, Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte, Ralph Rucci, Nathalie Rykiel, HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Jeremy Scott, Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov, Founders of On Aura Tout Va, Carla Sozzani, Philip Treacy, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk van Saene, Trino Verkade, CEO of Sarabande: The Alexander McQueen Foundation, Andre Walker, and Dame Vivienne Westwood DBE, as well as Christophe Girard Director of Fashion Strategy of LVMH Fashion Group, as well as fashion critics and journalists – Tim Blanks, Mickey Boardman, Alexander Fury, Robin Givhan, Cathy Horyn, Suzy Menkes OBE, Sarah Mower MBE, and Joe Zee.

About School of Fashion Directors

For over 25 years, Neil Gilks, Executive Director, has committed his career to design and its education. As a fashion designer, Gilks worked through the ranks to Design Director for brands in London and New York. He thrives on building – whether working on launching new labels or recognizing the needs and areas for evolution in established companies. Beyond creating menswear and womenswear collections for the global markets, a dedication to fashion design education has allowed Gilks to attain leadership roles with top-tiered fashion design programs globally. As Director of Educational Initiatives with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Gilks was charged with creating opportunities and mentorship for students and faculty within 21 design institutions domestically. Gilks cites continuing his own artistic practice as crucial – allowing him to retain a creative outlet while further exploring the space where his art, commerce, and social commentary intersect. Since his arrival as Executive Director of the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University in the Fall of 2022, Gilks has been learning how his experience and insight can best serve our community. The learning experience is of the utmost importance to Gilks, as he strives towards making it the most robust and successful time for faculty and students alike. He holds a BA in Womenswear Design from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London as well as dual MA degrees in Womenswear Design and Menswear Design.

Gary Miller, Director of Fashion Design, has experience in New York and London as a fashion director, with career beginnings in the midnineties. His design scope encompasses building and maintaining a brand’s identity, initiating a start-up concept, reinvigorating an existing line, and nurturing an ongoing successful brand. For many years, he worked as a Design Director for the men’s sportswear division at Macy’s Merchandising Group in New York. Previously, he worked at The Men’s Wearhouse, Wilke Rodriguez, Here and There (now part of The Doneger Group), Helen Story, and Michiko Koshino. Miller holds a BFA in Fashion Design with Textiles from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication in the UK and an MFA in Fine Art Painting and Drawing from Academy of Art University.

Jinah Oh, Director of Fashion Merchandising, earned her MBA in Marketing at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, as well as a B.S. in Clothing and Textiles and a BA in Philosophy from EWHA Women’s University in Seoul, Korea. She has extensive experience in international fashion and luxury brands and fashion education. With Escada Asia, she developed business and market strategies, managed merchandising and buying for multiple brands, and pioneered and initiated brick-and-mortar and e-commerce channel development. Later with Cartier, Richemont Korea Ltd., Oh led retail operations and all aspects of retail marketing activities for the Korean market. After joining the Academy’s School of Fashion, Oh built and continues to oversee the Fashion Business programs, including Merchandising, Marketing, and Product Development programs.

Iliana Ricketts, Online Director, was appointed Director of Online Fashion in 2014. She was previously Assistant Director of Online Fashion in 2009 and held the position of Fashion Department Coordinator since 2005. Prior to arriving in the US, Ricketts was an established designer in her country of Bulgaria. Ricketts received her MFA in Fashion Design from Academy of Art University. She received a BFA from Training Centre Calagia and an MFA in Fashion Design from Academy of Art University In 2002, she launched ILYA, a designer ready-to-wear label sold nationally in stores such as Henri Bendel. Her line was also seen on the HBO television series Sex and the City. In 2004, she helped launch the product line GGblue. Under her creative direction, GGblue became one of the most successful fashion-forward brands in the golf and leisure industry.

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