Today Gap unveiled works of original art from Rhode Island School of Design [RISD]
students and faculty. Their canvas - Gap's new spring cardigan. In a unique partnership, Gap enlisted leading RISD students to deconstruct, rethink and rework its latest spring cardigans to create original pieces that reflect their own fashion point-of-view. Thirty one-of-a-kind cardigans are now available exclusively at Gap's rotating concept venue adjacent to its flagship store at 54th and 5th Ave.
"When Gap invited our students to take a fresh look at the new spring cardigans, they were only given one simple guideline: Keep them wearable," said Donna Gustavsen, head of RISD's department of Apparel Design. "Our students responded with freshness, ingenuity and subtle surprises that are edgy, fun and inspired - a lot like the talented students who created them."
Using materials such as tulle, hand-rolled beads made from recycled paper, vintage lace, fabric dye and more, the students transformed Gap's classic cardigans into unique and bold pieces that communicate Gap's focus on the importance of individual style. The students used a variety of techniques to create these original pieces, including changing the silhouette and adding embellishments to express their unique look.
The newly revamped cardigans were created by students from a diverse range of disciplines - including printmaking, sculpture, industrial design, textiles and apparel design.
"We are thrilled to be working with this nationally acclaimed design school and are impressed with the designs the students created," said Ivy Ross, executive vice president, Gap Marketing. "Fashion is meant to spark the imagination, and these truly original cardigans express the creativity and individual styles of a very talented group of up-and-coming young designers and artists."
Meet the RISD Designers
- Abigail Glass, Atlanta, GA, Intended Major - Apparel Design: Class of 2012
- Aidan Vitti, Franklin, MA, Apparel Design: Class of 2009
- Amie Schow, Mill Valley, CA, Intended Major - Apparel Design: Class of 2012
- Andrea Jacinto, Manila, Philippines, Apparel Design: Class of 2010
- Cathryn Hunt, Spartanburg, SC, Apparel Design: Class of 2010
- Chris Fernald, Marietta, GA, Printmaking: Class of 2012
- Donna Gustavsen, Head, Apparel Design Department, RISD
- Edda Thors, Barrington, IL, Apparel Design: Class of 2010
- Ester Lee, Issaquah, WA, Apparel Design: Class of 2011
- Gina Song, Lewisville, TX, Intended Major - Industrial Design: Class of 2012
- Ryan Novelline, Lexington, MA, Undeclared Major: Class of 2012
- Hannah Wnorowski, Syracuse, NY, Intended Major - Textiles: Class of 2012
- Heather Dishuk, Oakland, NJ, Apparel Design: Class of 2011
- Huong Nguyen, Orlando, FL, Textiles: Class of 2010
- Hye Min Kang, Korea, Apparel Design: Class of 2010
- Lindsay Perkins, Taipei, Taiwan, Apparel Design: Class of 2010
- Mallika Dalal, Bombay, India, Textiles: Class of 2011
- Meg DeCubellis, Lecturer, Apparel Design Department, RISD
- Melissa Dishuk, Oakland, NJ, Apparel Design: Class of 2011
- Misha Kahn, Duluth, MN, Furniture: Class of 2011
- NaRe Namgoong, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Textiles: Class of 2009
- Paulina Pagan, San Juan, PR, Environmental Science & Visual Art: Class of 2011
- Sara Paquette, Rutland, VT, Intended Major - Textiles: Class of 2012
- Scott Stevenson, Marshfield, WI, Apparel Design: Class of 2010
- Sheridan Irwin, Santa Barbara, CA, Apparel Design: Class of 2010
- Suzanne Mancini, Lecturer, Apparel Design Department, RISD
- Tham Yoke Teng, Singapore, Foundation Studies: Class of 2012
In addition to the unique designs from RISD's top design students, Gap's original cardigans will also be available in a range of bright and bold spring colors in stripes and solids [$44]
.