This week, students from Parsons New School of Design and The Fashion Institute of Technology faced off in the final round of the Fusion Fashion Show to determine: Which school has the best designers? This show has featured contestants in the past that you may have heard of: Alexander Wang, Chris Benz, Prabal Gurung. Yeah. So I watched with a keen eye as 15 designers from each school presented a collection of four or five looks; which of these talents might we see next at NY Fashion Week? Fashion Indie caught up with the Best Designer at FIT (the only designer I put a star next to in my Moleskin, pegging him the winner during the show) Wonki Lee. He just so happened to come from the winning school. Congrats FIT! Could Wonki be the next Prabal? Interview after the jump.

Your collection is entitled “Industrial Art: The Elegance of Mechanization,” what draws you to the industrial arts?

Whenever I am about to start working on a project, I try to go to a museum to get some inspiration. When I applied for Fusion, I got into some industrial arts at MOMA and took pictures of them. Usually, Industrial art is made with wood or metal marterial, so it has a kind of rough feeling. However, what I came up with for my collection was to translate the feeling of Industry art into an elegant mood concentrating on the geometrical shapes.

Yes. I made some kilts for men in my collection. The Kilt has been recently adapted as an item of fashionable male clothing and we’ve seen this fashion item on the runway for years. I felt that the pleats in the the kilt matched the geometric shape that I took from my inspiration. Also, I thought the kilt would be a good item to capture the audience’s attention because it’s unusual but it’s truly trendy and fun.

It is true that Fusion is a competition, but FIT and Parsons truly worked together. I would say that we are both winners. FIT designers were motivated by Parsons designers and I hope they were, too.That is what makes Fusion get more high quality collections. I think that Fusion makes both schools more strongly connected with each other. I hope that Fusion inspired  both school’s students.

Since my arrival here in New York, one and a half years ago, I have surely learned a lot about menswear design and the construction of garments. I wanted to show off my knowledge about menswear and Fusion gave me that chance. It was a great opportunity for me to share my passion with other  talented and amazing fusioners. It was such a pleasure to work with them. I will remember them for the rest of my life.

All winners:

FIT: Runner up – Alexa Wright. Winner – Wonki Lee

Parsons: Runner up – Meghan Spielman. Winner – Victoria Hayes.

School: FIT

TIM GUNN: Be honest, who doesn’t love fashion consultant and Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn? As the chair of fashion design at Parsons The New School For Design and host of Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, it is safe to say that this man really knows his fashion shtik. Gunn’s fashion advice always leads to the polished and classy. He’ll help you accentuate your features, hide your flaws and “make it work.”

NOLE MARIN: Former jude on America’s Next Top Model and current editor/stylist for Elle, Nole Marin too has a leg up on the industry. The guy has even worked with the average Joe, providing fashion advice and makeovers for desperate teens on MTV’s Made. Marin might not be the most edgy stylist out there, but he knows what is current and he knows how to style the average body.

MISS J. ALEXANDER: Sometimes it is hard to take Miss J seriously, a grown man in makeup, pigtails and sometimes stilettos, but as runway coach, judge and consultant on America’s Next Top Model, his advice is always spot on. He might be cocky and brash, but Miss J knows what women look good in and how they should “work it.” Trust his attitude, a confident look is always the best look.

RACHEL ZOE: If your goal is to look like a celebrity, then Rachel Zoe is the stylist for you. Noted for working with prominent celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Mischa Barton and Demi Moore as well as her Bravo TV show, The Rachel Zoe Project, Zoe has all tips for glamour and sophistication.

CRISTINA EHRLICH AND ESTEE STANLEY: You may not have heard of them, but this duo may very well be the most demanded stylists in the celebrity scope. They’ve made Penelope Cruz and Nicole Richie look like a million bucks, but even so, they know how to dress on a budget. Take their expertise and pay attention to details, buy high quality classic pieces, wear a variety of silhouettes and build off of a simple piece.

Thanks for the Interview About.com!