7x7 had the privilege of naming CCA's Class of 2014’s Emerging Designer of the Year. We want to extend a big congratulation to Erick Lopez, whose team of soccer players in oversized neoprene jerseys, jackets with exaggerated shoulders, and one man-skirt won us over. A nod to Belgian designers with perhaps a dash of Yeezy, his vision was what Levi’s Chief Merchandising Officer Grant Barth said, “on the pulse of the growing trend of athletic fashion.” 

The award capped off a night full of celebration and bold moves. At the start of the show, Fashion Chair Amy Williams, asked faculty, family, and industry in the audience to please stand up. Half the room did, to which Williams said “Look around, this is CCA’s fashion community.” The gesture revved up the audience for her announcement of CCA’s newly formed advisory council with SF’s top fashion brass: Levi’s Paul Dillinger, Erica Tanov, The North Face’s Neil Munro, and Betabrand’s Chris Lindland, to name a few. Even for the most talented, making it in the business is tough, and everyone needs friends in fashion. Speaking of whom, this year's jurors, Erica Tanov, Diana Slavin, and Ben and Chris Ospital of boutique MAC, were seen in the front row, looking proudly on.

Selecting just one recipient out of so many potential design stars of tomorrow was difficult, and we'd be remiss not to mention these names you'll most likely here from soon. Lily Lei showed a sophisticated play with sporty and futuristic textures. Each layer counted from the silver lame underpinnings to the tunic crop tops in iridescent polka dots. They were dressed down with edgy drop-crotch sweats and slouchy leather pants.

Shan Zhang’s ethereal collection of hand printed silks were draped as if her models were in a stage of undress. Delicate, sensual, and very Zen, the standout piece was her floor-length coat.

The collection that brought down the house was Sindia Lin’s quirky children’s wear. Her theme, peek-a-boo, was translated into oversized eye prints on sweaters and stuffed toy squids that models cradled as if they were the season's hottest it-bags. It was so imaginatively styled and executed, we wouldn’t be surprised if a chic French boutique came knocking.