At Academy of Art University’s School of Fashion Symposium on Wednesday, May 7, Missoni matriarch Rosita, joined by her daughter Angela and granddaughter Margherita, spoke to an audience of fashion students and instructors about the history of the company, familial love and fighting, owning their own factory, and traditional family dinners. They were joined by Teresa, Francesco, Marco, and Jennifer Missoni. Suzy Menkes, International Vogue Editor of Condé Nast, interviewed the three designers alongside Executive Director of the School of Fashion, Gladys Perint Palmer.

Angela and Margherita were awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Humanities for developing a unique way of dressing and living; Rosita was given an award when she visited the school as a guest of honor in 1999. In celebration of their visit, San Francisco’s Mayor Edwin Lee proclaimed May 7, 2014 as Missoni Day in San Francisco!

The Missoni clan attended the Academy’s Graduation Fashion Show, where a talented young designer, Yuko Okudaira, caught their eye and was awarded a design internship with Missoni in Italy. The neon fringe and graffiti prints in her collection were spray painted by Liang Huo, graffiti artist and BFA Animation and Visual Effects student. Dale Beevers, BFA Jewelry & Metal Arts, made an impression on Rosita Missoni at the pre-show Portfolio Review; Rosita was so struck by Beevers’ jewelry that she purchased bracelets on the spot.

The efforts of the designers at the Academy did not disappoint. An excellent show complete with 20 collections from 30 collaborative designers, which included womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, knits, wovens, jewelry, and metal arts collaborations. Highlights of the show (hands down) were the sparkling pieces of rose quartz that covered the sleeves and backs of Aile Hua’s designs, as well as the parade of child models, (the crowd went wild) who were modeling vibrant prints and geometric shapes designed by Jordan Rae Epstein; Epstein was awarded the San Francisco Paris Sister City Scholarship Exchange in Paris, France to study at L’Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, and Sheni Moshabesha, BFA Textile Design.

The shiny white raingear looking material on Seth C. Olsen’s pullover combined with distressed baggy pants and high necklines brought back a delightful ‘90s moment. Jenny Hien Hoang closed the show with beautiful X-ray styled prints on innovative and modern silhouettes. 

Academy of Art University Runway photos by Randy Brooke WireImage

Missonis Luncheon photos by Drew Altizer