NY Fashion Week: Art Institute's Michael Tornato

"Project Runway" isn't the only way for up and coming designers to get their collections on the runways of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion week. The Art Institutes provide a platform for exemplary students to show their work, and this year was no different. This season AI focused on the New York City school and showcased designs from 13 students. Although most looks were womenswear, a few students ventured into the booming menswear market.

One of those designers is Michael Tornato, who dreams in modern menswear where minimalism is key. The designer developed his interest in fashion in high school and sought an apprenticeship from a tailor in his Boston neighborhood. He worked three days a week through his senior year making suits for Boston businessmen. Years of suiting experience wore off on Tornato's overall aesthetic, whose collection is named after his mentor, Mr. Alaya.

A minimal color palette allowed Tornato to up the ante in terms of cut and embellishments (or lack thereof --- this is minimalism here). Grays, whites a touch of black and tan were the key colors. Garments were simple and incorporated draping, loose fits and cropped pants.

One of the most interesting pieces in the collection was an asymmetrical gray vest, which attached on the model's left side with a shoulder and side strap, leaving an open area for a low-hanging white shirt. The silhouette was a bit top heavy, but I could see myself wearing it if the fabric shrunk down a bit. Tornato paired the vest and T-shirt with below-the-knee shorts constructed of suit fabric.

The tight color palette appeared again in a gray shirt and jacket combination. Two black, plastic clips fastened the piece together on the right. Two buttons towards the collar kept the shirt jacket clean with the eyes focusing on the double strap closure. Termed a "grey chambray car coat," it fits easily into the hybrid trend seen in other recent collections.

Tornato describes his collection as "contemporary, futuristic, men's suiting." Nontraditional takes on men's suiting are for the "man of now," says Tornato. The man of now is "the man that doesn't need too much. He just carries his iPhone, computer, iPad and maybe a couple of papers to his job. That's all he needs." In a world of mobile communication, today's man is experimenting with minimalism in fashion as well as technology - a current that Tornato successfully explores in his collection.

See more of Tornato's creative work on his blog michaeltornato.tumblr.com and follow him on Twitter @TheTrendyDwarf.

See the full runway show on The Art Institutes website and view other menswear designs.