Parsons School of Design has notably been the catalyst to launch a plethora of serious talent for decades. Fashion designers with impeccable, long-standing careers have been birthed from this institution, and modern times prove there’s absolutely no shortage with recent grad, Pauline Choi taking center stage over the weekend. Choi was one of the hand-selected designers to show her MFA collection during New York Fashion Week, and if we placed our bets, she’s the one to watch.
Born in South Korea and raised in Canada, Pauline Choi earned her BA from Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, where she was trained for the technical aspect of apparel design and production, including Japanese bespoke tailoring. With no slowing down, Choi moved to New York City and joined the Parson’s MFA program to design menswear, and widen her capacity into immaculate knits. Deep in the throes of being a full-time student, Choi still managed to find time for pattern making internships with the notable likes of Vera Wang, The Row, and Patrick Ervell.
Pauline Choi
Pauline Choi’s MFA collection is one impressive piece of men’s couture after another. Garnering a sponsorship with Paris’ own Sophie Hallette Lace, Choi combined factors of old lace making and bespoke tailoring. This collection is composed of 60% wovens and 40% knits, and the designer uses lace for menswear that is not obvious, but wearable, all while remaining masculine. Lace appearing and disappearing, colors fading in and out, varying degrees of translucency and weight are played with throughout.
Her use of rather feminine materials is such a surprising, stunningly innovative answer to more masculine silhouettes. A chunky hand-knitted sweater that took three full days and nights to complete, finished in delicate lace and paired with bermuda style shorts for men? Yes. A look that has otherwise never been so appealing. We absolutely cannot wait to see Pauline Choi’s next move, and we are most certain it’s going to be a big one, followed by much applause.
Pauline Choi
