NEW YORK, Apr 21, 2011/ — Assuming their role as judges for FIT’s The Future of Fashion runway show, fashion media luminaries Nina Garcia (Marie Claire), Laura Brown (Harper’s Bazaar), Kate Betts (Time Inc.), Alana Kelen (VH1), and Siafa Lewis (LXNY) have reviewed garments created by FIT’s talented graduating fashion designers and selected those that will appear on the runway at the college’s annual end-of-year fashion show.

The judges filled the highly coveted spots from a starting pool of 200 graduating Fashion Design majors, ultimately selecting 94 looks created by 83 students.

These innovative designs will be unveiled at The Future of Fashion runway show on Wednesday, May 4, at 4:30 pm and again at 7:30 pm at FIT. This professionally produced event will present sportswear, special occasion, knitwear, intimate apparel, and children’s wear for fall 2011.

Ten major designers, acting as critics, have each selected a Critic Award winner for special citation. These truly exceptional garments will be seen as part of the runway show and afterward displayed at The Museum at FIT.

This year’s critics, who mentored students throughout the spring semester, are Calvin Klein, Narciso Rodriguez, Norma Kamali, Deborah Lloyd (Kate Spade), and Michele Smith (Milly New York) for the sportswear category; Carolina Herrera for special occasion; Reiko Waisglass (Theory) and Tom Scott for knitwear; Flora Nikrooz for intimate apparel; and Susan Lane (BU and the Duck) for children’s wear.

The young designers also vied for cash awards from Cotton Incorporated, the lead sponsor of the fashion show. Students who used cotton in 95 percent of their outfits were eligible to win $2,000 in each of the five categories: sportswear, knitwear, intimate apparel, special occasion, and children’s wear. These garments also will be seen on the runway as part of the 94 looks.

The Future of Fashion will take place in the John E. Reeves Great Hall on the FIT campus at 4:30 pm and again at 7:30 pm. Admittance is by invitation only. However, the 7:30 pm show will be streamed live at www.fitnyc.edu/futureoffashion, and both shows will be viewed in 3D in FIT’s Morris W. and Fannie B. Haft Auditorium.

For more information, visit www.fitnyc.edu