Finalists of New York Design Challenge competition
Three students at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) were named finalists in off-price specialty retailer Loehmann’s New York Design Challenge competition
The winners are Ou Ma of Beijing (PRC), Maor Tapiro from Brooklyn, New York (USA);, and Ying Wan of Xian (PRC), received the highest number of votes out of seven semi-finalists during a weeklong contest held on Loehmann’s Facebook page.
The grand prize winner will be announced at a celebratory event on April 3, 2013 at the Loehmann’s Chelsea Store in New York. The winning garment will be showcased at its storefront window.
The competition was first announced by Loehmann’s during its Fashion’s Night Out runway show in September 2012. It attracted 15 students from FIT’s Fashion Design programme. They each submitted up to three avant-garde evening wear designs using famous New York City landmarks as their inspiration. Ma’s design was inspired by the Guggenheim Museum; Tapiro’s design was inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge; and Wang’s design by the Highline.
Loewhmann’s is America’s first upscale off-price retailer offering top designer fashion from the most noted names at legendary prices – always 30 – 65 % less than prices found elsewhere. The company is headquartered in the Bronx, New York and privately held. It operates 40 stores in 11 US states across the country and Washington D.C. plus an e-commerce site,
The internationally renowned Fashion Design program at the FIT, a college of the State University of New York, was established in1944, the year the college was founded. The programme’s close ties to industry help ensure that the curriculum continually evolves, immersing students in current real world practice. The program provides both an essential foundation for creating apparel and advanced study in specialised areas (art, design, business, technologies). Students intern with leading designers and design houses, and have the opportunities to study abroad, in FIT’s programme in Florence and Milan. Notable alumni include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Amsale Aberra, Reem Acra, Nina Garcia, Francisco Cost, Brian Atwood, Ralph Rucci, Michelle Smith, Andrew Fezza, Dennis Basso, Norma Kamali, John Bartlett, Miranda Morrison, Kari Sigerson, and Rebecca Moses.