Yoko Okuda receives top honors at FIT-SDI competition

Fashion

Yoko Okuda receives top honors at FIT-SDI competition

Mismatched plaids, tweeds with layered ruffles and delicate chiffons were just a few of the elements featured at "City Meets Country, Scotland Means Style," a competition held by Scottish Development International (SDI) for Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) fashion and interior design students. Yoko Okuda, a fashion design major, and Kecia Mortensen, an interior design major, received top honors for their innovative use of fabric, colors and textures inspired by Scotland`s rich history, landscapes and textiles. The winners were announced at a reception held at The Norwood Club in New York City. At the reception were Scotland`s Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Designer to Royalty Sandra Murray MBE, and FIT student designers. Garments and interiors illustrations were on display throughout the venue for guests to view. The competition recognized a new generation of designers who tackled the challenge of creating fashion forward garments and interior designs by marrying traditional and contemporary Scottish style. Fashion design students were asked to create garments for evening, day and sports. Interior design students were asked to create a penthouse suite for an Edinburgh luxury hotel. "Scottish textiles have been the foundation for fashion and apparel for decades," said Marilyn Hefferen, contest coordinator and assistant professor in FIT`s Department of Fashion Design. "This was an opportunity for our students to work with some of the finest textiles in the world from Scotland`s most prestigious brands." Using textiles from Reid & Taylor, Johnstons, Lochcarron of Scotland, Calzeat & Co., Harris Tweed and Holland & Sherry, FIT students vied to win a $1,000 grand prize; a trip to Scotland for the fashion design winner; work placement at a New York City design firm for the interior design winner; and a spot on the Dress to Kilt runway. Runners-up and the recipient of the creativity award received prizes ranging from $500-$750. All designs will be on display in Scottish parliament this summer. Fashion Design • Yoko Okuda, Evening Wear • Jusil Carroll, Evening Wear • Carlynne Cutler, City WearInterior Design • Kecia Mortensen, "King Robert the Bruce" Penthouse • John Feger, "The Engle Suite" • Tammy Lee, "The Penthouse at Carnegie"Creativity Award: Heajin Myung, Evening Wear "Scotland Week gives us the chance to celebrate the cultural connections that unite Scotland and the US, past and present," said Fiona Hyslop, Scotland`s Minister for Culture and External Affairs. "The modern cultural connection is about new design and it is wonderful to see students embrace the challenge, using Scotland`s unique and high-quality textiles to create fresh and inspired pieces. I am thrilled with the final creations and looking forward to seeing what is in store for these talented young designers.I very much hope this experience inspires them to continue working with Scottish textiles." More Fashion Institute of Technology News...More Fashion News - United States Of America...12

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