Fashion Design Alumni Spotlight: Erin Fagan '23

Feb 12, 2025

Class of 2023 BS in Fashion Design alumnae Erin Fagan has been working on some exciting projects since graduation. From Paris to Tokyo, her skills and travels have awarded her some exciting opportunities and experiences.

For the last two haute couture seasons, Erin has been interning with Yuima Nakazato. Yuima Nakazato is a Japanese fashion brand known for its avant-garde and innovative approach to couture. Founded by designer Yuima Nakazato, the brand fuses cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship, creating futuristic, high-fashion garments. Renowned for incorporating 3D printing, intricate patterns, and sustainable materials, Yuima Nakazato’s designs often explore themes of nature, science, and digital art. The brand showcases at prestigious events such as Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, earning acclaim for its boundary-pushing creations that blend artistry with technical precision. For the autumn/winter 2024 haute couture season, Erin interned at the brand's Paris Atelier leading up to their runway show entitled "UNVEIL". Now, for the Spring/Summer 2025 season, Erin was offered the opportunity to intern for a month at the brand's home atelier in Tokyo, as well as additional week in Paris leading up to their "FADE S/S 25" fashion show.

"In Tokyo, I was able to work on collection pieces from start to finish including the ceramic gold dress. Most of my time was spent constructing this gold dress from the beginning of cutting shapes out of clay to last minute enforcing strength on the runway stage minutes before it started. I also glazed the ceramic pieces black and painted them gold (the gold paint had real gold in it!). Once the pieces were aligned on the pattern, I weaved them all together with a gold bead detailing every intersection."

The opportunity not only allowed Erin to explore new cultures, but also to challenge her skills. "Seeing this look come together in the end was very rewarding and a proud moment to see where all my hard work paid off. It was a great opportunity to once again experience the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week while taking on more responsibility within the brand this time," she explains. "I recommend all students to reach out to brands leading up to fashion weeks as most companies need lots of extra hands to get everything done. "

Watch Yuima Nakazato's FADE S/S 25 fashion show and check out some photos of Erin's work for the collection below.