Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) staged ACT 5, the 2025 Fashion Design Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate runway show. The presentation featured the collections of 18 designers who completed FIT’s two-year MFA program. Positioned in the lead-up to New York Fashion Week, the show marked the culmination of their graduate studies, offering each designer a platform to debut a distinct vision shaped by extensive research, design experimentation, and creative development.
The graduating designers collectively described ACT 5 as a moment of resolution and transformation. They emphasized experimentation, personal exploration, and the drive to push fashion forward. Their joint statement framed the show as both a reflection of their years at FIT and an introduction to what lies ahead. “Each designer brings a distinct world to life, united by a desire to stretch the limits of what fashion can express – across memory, culture, technology, and form,” they noted.
FIT president Dr. Joyce F. Brown underscored the importance of ACT 5 within the context of New York Fashion Week. “The 18-talented designers in our 2025 MFA Fashion Show prove that they are ones to watch in the global fashion industry,” she said. “Launching their inaugural collections as part of New York’s celebrated Fashion Week is a remarkable opportunity to showcase their talents before the biggest names in the business – and we are proud, for the second time, to be hosting the runway show right here on the FIT campus.” Cathleen Sheehan, chairperson and professor of the MFA program, echoed that sentiment, calling the show a defining finale that signals the graduates’ next steps in their careers.
The designers featured in ACT 5 represent a broad range of cultural influences and technical expertise. Yawen Chen’s “The Kiss of Time” explored layered structures and intricate fabrics. Runtan Desmond Du presented “Undefined Deity,” shaped by history and global culture. Evelina Epp created “Destiny Lock,” using distance and connection as themes. Mai Nou Her drew from personal nostalgia with “A Nou Nostalgia,” while Ethan Horing’s “Among Friends” reimagined menswear with technological influences. Layla Dian Jin introduced “Pale Blue Dot,” inspired by philosophy and cultural history, and Luna Eunsol Kang’s “Echoes of Innocence” reflected her Korean-American background. Mina Khademi’s “The Fourth Dimension” integrated computational design with couture craftsmanship.
Other designers brought equally distinctive narratives. Genevieve Zhuoran Li presented “(Un) Professional Fabulous,” exploring deconstruction and gender-fluid tailoring. Jinling Li’s “Celestial Reverie” balanced futurism and function. Matilda Tongying Liang’s “Motherhood” addressed strength and softness through material experimentation. Peng Han Beckham Lin showcased “Bedtime Stories,” celebrating identity and inclusivity. Lawson Park created “Tiled Treasures,” featuring painterly prints. Amrutha Ramkumar’s “KALYANAM” reworked traditional Indian garments into streetwear. Jackie Schmidt’s “Emergence” used found materials for sustainable design. Sanyam Sharma’s “Therefore, I Am” transformed emotional experience into wearable form. Kiki Wanjing Zuo explored biomimicry and high-tech methods in “Precognitive.” Finally, Peichen Zhou presented “Heartstring,” drawing from medicine and human anatomy for inspiration.
By presenting their work on the FIT runway, each designer established a foundation for their professional path while contributing fresh ideas to the broader conversation of fashion.
