A cut above

Bianca Mammone of Massachusetts College of Art and Design shows off her creations. (Dominic Chavez/Globe Staff)

It's hard to pick just one. But that's what we asked instructors at local fashion programs to do: Tell us about their top grads. Here's a look at the students and their designs. - LINDA LABAN

WANPING WANG
Mount Ida College, School of Design
Age: 24
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Inspiration: My grandmother. Because my parents were in school, my grandparents raised me in northeast China, where it's very cold. She would make all the winter clothes for the family and I would watch her sew. That is where it comes from for me.
Fashion icon: Vera Wang. I don't have any Western icons. But Vera Wang's clothes have the most Asian influence. Just the way the skirt flows, seamless, like watercolor.
What next? Get a job! I might try New York. Or I might try China, because I can speak Mandarin as well as English.
Graduation fashion show: "Collections 2008," Saturday, 6 p.m. John Hancock Hall. Call 617-928-4636 for tickets and information.

BIANCA MAMMONE
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Age: 21 Hometown: Hardwick
Inspiration: I do a lot of research and look at different cultures. This latest collection is snow-queen inspired. I looked at folklore of different arctic cultures: Russian, Scandinavian, and Japanese. My senior collection, "Daughters of the North," is all about those winter goddesses.
Fashion icon: Thierry Mugler. He tends toward those strong, sexy silhouettes, with cyborg type themes or '50s pinups. Strong women.
What next? I want to stay in Boston, which maybe limits me. But I want to do eveningwear or maybe bridal. It's time to get a job and get my feet wet.
Graduation fashion show: "Un-Cut: Senior Collections 2008," tomorrow, 6:30 p.m. Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. Sold out.

ALICIA REINA
Rhode Island School of Design
Age: 22 Hometown: Natick
Inspiration: I usually find a source of inspiration from books or from artists I like. Then I find the type of fabric I'm looking for. I research all the types of fabrics that are available. I like prints and combining them with a lot of color, and lots of fine detailing.
Fashion icon: Princess Caroline of Monaco.
What next? I want to study accessory or shoe design, something relative to fashion. Get a master's, maybe.
Graduation fashion show: "Collection 2008: Annual Runway Show," May 17, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence. Call 800-919-6272 or visit tickets.com.

EDDI PHILLIPS
School of Fashion Design
Age: 41 Hometown: Los Angeles
Inspiration: The female form. It tells a story and each woman is different.
Fashion icon: Nan Kemper. She was a New York socialite - I hate to say socialite - and friends with Halston in the '70s and '80s. She was so chic, with a simple silhouette; she was never extravagant.
What next? I'm spending the next year putting together my own line. I'm going to look locally to set it up.
Graduation fashion show: "Collection 2008," Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Boston Park Plaza Hotel. For tickets and information, call 617-536-9343.

HEATHER DELOS-REYES
Lasell College, Fashion Design and Production
Age: 22 Hometown: Plymouth
Inspiration: I've always been inspired by 15th- and 16th-century costume. I did an internship at the Plimoth Plantation and I fell in love with their sewing techniques. I wanted to make something that was more contemporary, but still mixed with my love for costume.
Fashion icon: John Galliano. He's always theatrical in his shows, and he always surprises his audiences with something new.
What next? Well, I just had a baby a week ago. It was pretty busy trying to get everything done in time, so I'm going to take my time and maybe start working again in the fall.
Graduation fashion show: "Senior Collection 2008," Saturday, 7 p.m. Lasell College Athletic Center, Newton. For tickets and information, e-mail ereed@lasell.edu.

SEVASTI TUSTIN
Bay State College, Fashion Design
Age: 24
Hometown: Windsor, Conn.
Inspiration: The everyday woman. I try to design for women who are working, going to the grocery store, and even for when they go to something fancier, like go to a concert or some special event.
Fashion icon: John Galliano. I enjoy his work very much, the way he puts things together.
What next? I'd ultimately like to end up in New York, but I'm working on finances right now. I'm going to save up and move, and hopefully find a job in fashion there.