Parsons Students Reimagine American Sportswear with Tory Burch
Fashion icon Tory Burch recently embarked on a collaborative journey with 18 talented MFA students from Parsons School of Design. This initiative challenged the students to redefine the concept of classic American sportswear, blending their individual cultural insights with inspiration drawn from Burch's past collections. The project aimed to explore the enduring nature of certain designs and how they can be revitalized for a modern context, leading to a diverse array of innovative fashion interpretations.
Parsons Students Unveil Fresh Takes on American Fashion Classics
In February, during her Fall 2026 show, Tory Burch reflected on the timeless appeal of certain fashion pieces, asking, "Why do things endure?" Amidst a world of constant change, she sought comfort in familiarity, reimagining beloved Shetland wool sweaters and corduroys, and drawing inspiration from figures like Bunny Mellon. Her collection showcased new perspectives on classics, such as relaxed knits paired with Peter Pan collar shirts, metallic jacquard cocoon coats, and drop-waists adorned with ruched silk and peplum. These designs felt both novel and enduring, destined to become wardrobe mainstays. Burch emphasized the importance of understanding the longevity of familiar items.
This philosophy of marrying comfort, practicality, and elegance lies at the heart of American sportswear, a domain where Tory Burch excels. This spring, she extended this design challenge to 18 Parsons School of Design MFA students. Their task was to reimagine classic American sportswear, incorporating elements from Burch's previous works while integrating their unique backgrounds.
In April, Burch engaged with the students to review their progress. Hera Ford, one of the designers, presented her collection titled “Lagetta La’ghetto.” Her work delved into her family's heritage as Black sharecroppers in the American South. Ford articulated her view of the "American Classic" as a synthesis of complex histories, often shaped by the unacknowledged contributions of Black women to global fashion. She utilized denim, copper, and traditional indigo dyeing to reinterpret the garments worn by her ancestors, highlighting the use of lace-like fibers from the Caribbean Lagetta Lagetto tree by Indigenous and enslaved women in their clothing creation.
Another student, Alexia Magdaleno, showcased a Chicano-inspired collection, featuring oversized silhouettes, button-downs, and prominent shoulders, echoing themes from Burch's Fall 2026 show. Mason Strange, originally from Greensboro, North Carolina—a significant denim production hub—infused his personal touch into Burch's Spring 2022 Claire McCardell collection, focusing on denim and quilting techniques.
Mia Cho's collection drew inspiration from classic American high school tropes, influenced by her childhood experiences in Korea watching shows like Clueless and Gossip Girl. She described her collection as a visualization of her "imagined high school fantasy," blending preppy silhouettes with experimental weaving and knitting. Cho's designs featured graphic prints and woven textiles on mini skirts and cropped jackets, some adorned with a tie motif suggesting movement.
During the final presentations, Cho expressed her gratitude, noting, "Being in the fashion world, it's really great to keep making clothes and I love it, but it can be really difficult to reach big brands. We are so glad that we had the opportunity to work with her." Burch, in turn, found immense satisfaction in witnessing the diverse creations of these emerging talents, who are poised to become significant forces in American fashion. She remarked, "It's extremely important. It's so energizing to see new ideas, new techniques, new ways of looking at things, how their personal stories are woven throughout their collections." Indeed, these projects offer a vibrant redefinition of American classics.
This initiative beautifully illustrates the power of collaboration and the enduring relevance of foundational design principles when infused with contemporary perspectives. It highlights how fashion, beyond mere aesthetics, can serve as a canvas for cultural narratives and personal histories. The engagement between Tory Burch and the Parsons students not only provided an invaluable learning experience but also showcased how diverse backgrounds can enrich the interpretation of established styles. It's a testament to the idea that true classics are not static, but rather evolve and gain new meaning through the lens of each generation.
