Chair Letter

Humanature

Dear students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and fashion friends,

Congratulations to our incredible students! Across all levels they have churned out such impressive work. And the most heartfelt Thank You to our amazing department faculty and staff for the commitment and care for our students; and to our supporters, without whom we would not have been able to do any of the things we were able to do in this past year! Returning to campus is a tremendous endeavor of care, and I want to especially thank our fashion facilities director Ms Dolly Robertson and her team for making it possible, and for fostering community, respect and care, which are so fundamental for operating in our shared studios.

Humanature emerged as a thread. As one word, it connects, rather separates: we are human and we are nature. While we are able to ponder nature in abstract or even conceptual terms, we are bound by natures’ laws which lay out the biochemical processes to process our quests for understanding and self-expression. Such a theme is not intended as a directive, but as a form of reflection: it emerges, and once it is voiced, it becomes something to bounce up to, or resonate with.

In fashion, the presentation of one’s’ work is a celebrated rite. This class of 2022 spent the larger part of their college years under Covid19 pandemic circumstances. Their sophomore year ended online, and their junior experience was largely social-distanced. It has been a joy this year to be able to physically bring the work out into the public again; to facilitate this experience of sharing the work of our very talented young designers with the community and public, and to return to our cherished scholarship judgings largely in person. Please enjoy the portfolios on this microsite Fashion 2022 as they give an important snapshot of this time.

Sincerely,
Katrin Schnabl
Sage- Endowed Chair of the Department of Fashion, Body & Garment at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.