FIT MFA runway show “Act 5” to debut at NYFW

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) will present its annual MFA Runway Show, Act 5, on Tuesday, September 9 at 4:00 PM during New York Fashion Week. The showcase features collections from 18 graduating designers in the Fashion Design MFA program.

The title Act 5 symbolizes the final chapter of the students’ two-year journey, described by the class as “a moment of resolution, reflection, transformation, and revelation.” The designers collectively frame fashion as a medium of dialogue, exploring themes that span culture, identity, technology, and sustainability.

This year’s graduates bring a global perspective, with backgrounds ranging from computational design and engineering to traditional craftsmanship and textile innovation. Highlights include explorations of heritage (Mai Nou Her, Amrutha Ramkumar), technology-driven design (Mina Khademi, Kiki Wanjing Zuo), sustainability and upcycling (Jackie Schmidt), and new approaches to tailoring and silhouette (Genevieve Zhuoran Li, Ethan Horing).

For educators, Act 5 reflects how emerging designers are blending academic research with industry-ready practice. The runway offers a window into how graduate education at FIT prepares students to balance craft, concept, and innovation while engaging with broader cultural conversations.