Viva Fall River

Pattern of success: Fall River fashion students showcase their art at Vanson Leathers

Sep 9, 2024 | Manufacturing

Emily Scherny, The Herald News

FALL RIVER — Five past and current students at B.M.C. Durfee High School huddled around a table layered with visions of their brand ventures. A graphic tee sunned itself front and center. A fully functional denim bag rested near a fan of booklets promoting it. Families and friends streamed in. Vanson Leathers’ heritage racing suits hung from rafters above their heads. 

Thursday evening saw the showroom at Vanson brimming with support as the Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art founders, Brittni and Harry Gould Harvey IV, introduced five summer students and spoke in admiration of the unique textile accomplishments presented by the student fashion designers upon completion of an eight-week summer residency. 

Brittni Harvey, who teaches at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, met most of these inspired teens through a pre-college program that provides Durfee students greater access to educational pathways beyond high school curriculum offerings.

Both Brittni and Harry are practicing artists who believe…TO CONTINUE READING, CLICK HERE.