Academy of Art University RTW Fall 2012

This season, San Francisco’s Academy of Art University featured nine designers, each displaying their own visions for fall. China’s Wu Di started out on a high note with her geometric-inspired collection that featured angular silhouettes in cashmere knits and wool, such as a top that was part ivory cashmere and part asymmetric tweed, paired with a gray pencil skirt. Another standout was Xiang Zhang, also from China, who opted for different looks all shown over white shirting; on one great look, it peeked out from a taupe silk mohair dress layered under a collarless silk cashmere and wool coat. The collection from Jeanette Au, a Michigan native, was the most inventive. Inspired by the Ballet Russes and Léon Bakst paintings, she delivered a colorful, textural display of mohair and metallic knits with intricate 3-D patterns.