A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.
A photo of Continuing Studies instructor Anna Hovet Dias.

Anna Hovet Dias

Continuing Studies Instructor

Bio

A prominent figure in Chicago's fashion sphere, Anna Hovet Dias (she/her) is renowned for her leadership and entrepreneurial acumen. In 2009, she launched her namesake fashion line, which swiftly garnered notable recognition and adorned celebrities such as Jennifer Hudson and Hannibal Buress. Transitioning from her successful clothing line in 2018, Anna served as Executive Director at the Chicago Fashion Incubator, a nonprofit to local fashion designers, where she passionately championed emerging local talent. Anna currently teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and owns and operates Hovet Fashion Studio, a fashion school and consulting agency.

Awards

  • "Chicago's Top 50 Design Influencers" 2020 and 2022 — Newcity Magazine
  • "30 Under 30" — Refinery29
  • "Chicago's Best Local Clothing Designer" — Chicago Reader

Publications

  • TEDx Talk: "The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs"

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

Drawing inspiration from live models and the exquisite garments housed in SAIC's Fashion Resource Center, create eye-catching fashion illustrations that showcase your unique style. You'll learn the essentials of illustration tailored for different fashion applications, whether for retail or editorial work. Explore body proportions, movements, and poses to help you bring your designs to life. Mastering perspective is critical; you'll discover how to apply just the right amount of exaggeration and stylization for captivating results. You'll also learn about the textures and drapes of various fabrics and how they relate to body form and movement. To inspire your work, you'll study the techniques of influential fashion illustrators throughout history and today. Plus, you'll get to experiment with various creative media like colored pencils, pastels, pens, markers, and water-based paints. While some drawing experience is helpful, what matters is your passion and imagination. Prepare for a dynamic learning environment where you can express yourself and elevate your fashion illustration skills.

Class Number

1053

Credits

1

Description

This course is for students interested in exploring contemporary fashion design methods and materials rather than constructing specific garments. Students develop skills in illustrating the fashion figure, styling, draping, and fabric selection; are introduced to the history of fashion design and new research and documentation methods; and are exposed to contemporary designers and design practices. Students may explore resources such as SAIC's Fashion Resource Center, which houses a library on fashion and the history of costume, a number of individual garments and accessories of significant historical importance, and a rich collection of visual material not accessible to the general public, as well as the AIC's collection of art and textiles to develop an informed, thoughtful, and creative approach to design. The class will draw on these resources to develop unique textile and garment designs and to learn about clothing as a language, how garments communicate, and what they signify.

*NOTE* Basic drawing skills and figure drawing/illustration experience is beneficial. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects.

Class Number

1260

Credits

2

Description

This course is for students interested in exploring contemporary fashion design methods and materials rather than constructing specific garments. Students develop skills in illustrating the fashion figure, styling, draping, and fabric selection; are introduced to the history of fashion design and new research and documentation methods; and are exposed to contemporary designers and design practices. Students may explore resources such as SAIC's Fashion Resource Center, which houses a library on fashion and the history of costume, a number of individual garments and accessories of significant historical importance, and a rich collection of visual material not accessible to the general public, as well as the AIC's collection of art and textiles to develop an informed, thoughtful, and creative approach to design. The class will draw on these resources to develop unique textile and garment designs and to learn about clothing as a language, how garments communicate, and what they signify.

*NOTE* Basic drawing skills and figure drawing/illustration experience is beneficial. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects.

Class Number

1261

Credits

2