SCAD Graduate Showcases Collection at Dubai Fashion Week
By Torren Thomas
Maliki Gilbert GETAWAY Collection. Photo: OfficialGFW Instagram
On Oct. 12, recent Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) graduate, Maliki Gilbert, presented his collection on an international scale at Dubai Fashion Week through the Graduate Fashion Week International fashion show, which highlighted the work of numerous recent fashion graduates from various universities and institutions across the globe.
Gilbert first debuted his collection at SCAD’s annual senior fashion show this past spring. Themes of dystopian futurism and cyborgs inspired the collection, which is titled GETAWAY. According to Gilbert, the collection is his take on “an escape to the year 2222, taking place in an advanced cybernetic civilization inspired by the sci-fi subgenre which combines hacker and punk culture.” For GETAWAY, Gilbert designed six individual looks that focus on functionality and utility, mentioned to be “at the core” of all his creations. 3-D printed spikes, virtually textured prints inspired by genetic manipulation, LED lights, as well as holographic panels and accessories are included in the collection to display Gilbert’s “take on what the future of humanity could be, keeping garments forward, yet modern and wearable.”
About his design process Gilbert shared “it took an entire year of very hard and sometimes stressful work. Constant research, making samples, remaking samples for correct fitting, editing patterns, supply shopping, nonstop sewing, sleepless all-nighters, due dates and critiques... the list goes on. The end result is always the best part, seeing an idea become reality.”
Earlier this year, The GETAWAY collection won Gilbert a scholarship from the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Scholarship Competition. The collection has since been covered and featured in various publications including Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, The Impression, i-D Magazine, and Atlanta Magazine among others following its debut at the SCAD fashion show. According to SCAD’S Associate Dean of Fashion, Dejan Agatonovic, the media coverage surrounding GETAWAY cemented Gilbert’s spot in Graduate Fashion Week. Agatonovic stated that “there is no application process. Each college selects one student that represents the whole school. Maliki was the ultimate choice to submit to represent SCAD at Graduate Fashion Week.”
Graduate Fashion Week is an annual event held by the Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF). Founded in 1991 in the United Kingdom, GFF is a non-profit organization that, according to its website, “aims to bridge the gap between education and employment.” Through various events including Graduate Fashion Week, the charity’s main initiative is to connect fashion graduates with educators and industry leaders in an attempt to support the next generation of fashion. This year’s Graduate Fashion Week featured over 95 participating colleges and universities from across the globe, including SCAD, and has been credited as “the largest showcase of BA fashion in the world.” The showcase was held at Dubai Fashion Week this time around and changes locations each year. The GFF is looking to extend invitations to more fashion schools to participate in their events in future years.
