3 June 2023

Collections developed from thoughts on capitalism and global warming are the winners of the 'Show Modeklasse 23' of the Grace Wales Bonner-led Fashion Department at the University of Applied Arts Vienna

Yesterday, the University of Applied Arts invited to the 'Show Modeklasse 23' of the graduates and students of the Fashion Department under the direction of Graces Wales Bonner in the atrium of the new building of the university at Vordere Zollamtsstraße 7. The show was announced in April with a few previews, such as the theme of the show - 'Runway as an Iconic Place' - and information about the start of ticket sales. A few weeks later, the tickets were sold out and members of the press received a reminder to pick up their tickets in time, otherwise they would be sold to those on the waiting list.

Fashion.at was there early and had the chance to ask a few words about this year's fashion show, especially about the streaming organized by the fashion class via the Instagram channel @modeklasse. A long line waited to enter the atrium. Journalists and bloggers asked for the best position to take photos and videos, while other members of the press explored the area before the show started. Fashion.at waited for the official admission and joined the line with the other guests for entering the impressive atrium. About an hour later the show started with an introduction of this year's show and the fact that it's the last show under the direction of Grace Wales Bonner, a farewell to the current director of the University of Applied Arts, Dr. Gerald Bast, and a welcome to the new director, Dr. Petra Schaper Rinkel, who attended the event as a guest.

Gerald Bast awarded two students for their exceptional fashion collections. The 25-year-old Johannes Hartmann received the RONDO Fashion Prize, powered by Authentic Beauty Concept, worth EUR 3,000. More information about the winning collections wasn't released yesterday nor was a closer look at the collections planned, but today's press release gives an insight into Hartmann's graduation collection titled 'maybe there is an alternative'. With the collection, the designer explores the privatization of joy and happiness in capitalism and questions the possibility of collective experience. His pieces feature scanned fragments of paintings that, when assembled, form a complete image, symbolizing the importance of community and solidarity. The collection includes 3D-designed garments and textile sculptures using digital prints on recycled fabrics.

The second student to win an award this evening was Shuzo Matsuhashi, who received the Wien Mitte THE MALL Award, worth EUR 2,500, for his collection 'The Future We Choose', inspired by a speculation about the next 30 years. Matsuhashi created a survival collection for the year 2050, taking into account the predicted effects of global warming.

After the awards ceremony, the show began with backstage footage projected onto the screen in the center of the hall. The big screen played a central role in the staging of the catwalk show, directed by Imogen Snell and Riccardo Castano of ISSTUDIO London. Live close-ups of the looks and backstage activity were displayed on the screen for a vision-around experience.

Image: The picture shows the runway during the defile with Grace Wales Bonner sitting in the front row on the left applauding the sculptural work by Johannes Hartmann, who was awarded the RONDO Fashion Prize, powered by Authentic Beauty, at the 'Show Modeklasse 23' of the graduates and students of the Fashion Department of the University of Applied Arts Vienna on 2 June 2023 in the atrium of the new building of the university at Vordere Zollamtsstraße 7.