View the Top 10 entries for 2013

Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Presenting the Top 10
2013 fffashion design contest winners
Winners were chosen by a celebrity panel of judges
featuring award-winning television, film and theater
actress Joanna Lumley; international design and couture
legend Elizabeth Emanuel, perhaps best-known for
creating Princess Diana’s wedding gown; international
top model and reality television star Joanna Krupa;
actress and television host Katie Cleary; costume designer,
fashion historian and professor David James Cole; and
Hollywood fashion designer to the stars Dalia MacPhee.
The panel also included eco-model, activist and
green-living expert Summer Rayne Oakes.
The competition was open to all students and independent
designers including those who design for their own fashion
labels. The following are presented in random order and
include the designers’ words and photos as submitted.
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: Boom, Bam, Pow
Garment Description:
Inspired by my childhood obsession with superheroes, I designed this patchwork sweater
based on the classic comic books that shaped my youth. I attempted to translate the visual
aesthetic and mood of comic books into sophisticated, modern streetwear.
Types of Materials:
The sweater is made of 100% cotton.
Interests in Fashion:
As both an apparel design and economics major, I am passionate about combining my
interests in fashion and environmental economics. Focusing on knitwear, I am able to
choose natural yarns and knit pattern pieces, enabling a zero-waste, sustainable process.
Designer: Colin MacGregor
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: Florals and Flounce
Garment Description:
The inspiration for this dress is the celebration of nature and the female figure. It was
made with the intent to show off a woman’s shape in a modest way. It is also functional
enough to be worn on different occasions.
Types of Materials:
Reclaimed upholstery floral fabric, reclaimed blue synthetic fabric, vintage cotton fabric.
Interests in Fashion:
I believe fashion should be sustainable and cruelty-free as much as possible. Using
existing materials (i.e. thrifted and vintage materials, upcycling materials) creates a
unique experience when designing as well as results in unique one-of-a-kind garments.
Designer: Jacqueline Tsang
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: One of a Kind
Garment Description:
This women’s dress is made from a man’s suit. I used 80% of the original suit to make
the dress. The other 20% is going into accessories that I am designing for another
project. After learning about “Upcycling,” I really wanted to try this design concept.
When someone I knew was going to throw out a perfectly good suit (jacket and pants),
it bothered me that it would go to waste and eventually end up not biodegrading in the
landfills.
Types of Materials:
Sheep wool. I researched the process of wool. Since wool is not fur, the sheep is not
purposely killed for its body hair.
Interests in Fashion:
Since becoming a fashion designer, I am being exposed to the mainstream fashion
industry destroying the planet. I am very interested in how I can help change this crisis.
It is painfully overwhelming to read about animals being killed for their fur and watch
gently used clothing clogging the landfills. While re-designing this suit, no animal was
harmed. At the same time, I took considerate action to keep a full suit out of the landfill.
Designer: Susann Moaveni
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: Umbrella-la
Garment Description:
I wanted to make a dress made of reusable resources rather than just buying fabric. I was
inspired by the way umbrellas fan out, so I wanted to incorporate that look in my design
with an edgy touch.
Types of Materials:
is made almost completely out of reused black umbrellas. From the fabric to the wiring,
I used it all. I backed the dress with muslin, while using the umbrella fabric on top and
incorporating umbrella wires underneath with the under-slip.
Interests in Fashion:
I am completely against using furs in fashion and as a designer I strive to use as many
eco-friendly fabrics as possible. I love to create garments with reusable resources in
creative ways. I also wish to pursue trying to use hemp as an alternative fabric.
Designer: Jaimie Partin
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: Flapper
Garment Description:
A flapper dress inspired by the roaring 20s. However, this dress was made by weaving
6,000 aluminum rings and 3,000 aluminum disks together with two pairs of pliers using
ancient chainmaille techniques.
Types of Materials:
This dress is made entirely of aluminum. The majority of my materials are taken from
industrial surplus.
Interests in Fashion:
Aluminum is the only material on the planet that is 100% recyclable and endlessly
recyclable. I seek to make pieces of wearable art that help shift values to sustainability
and protecting the environment.
Designer: Vanessa Walilko
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: Just a Pair of Pants
Garment Description:
This dress was made from a pair of unwanted men’s suit pants from the local thrift store.
The pants were seam ripped at areas and sewn back together at others, but there was no
cutting away with scissors, leading to almost no waste of fabric.
Types of Materials:
Deconstructed Vintage Men’s Suit Pants & Thread.
Interests in Fashion:
In addition to bettering human life, the planet, and the lives of furry little creatures, I love
green fashion because the challenge it creates. For me, designing with limited materials
often breeds the most creativity--necessity is the mother of invention.
Designer: Cecilia Lewis
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: : Mod Metallic Burlap Swinge coat
Garment Description:
My retro Metallic Mod Coat is something I created to promote plant based fibers by
incorporating one of the world’s oldest fabrics-Burlap. A material made with jute, hemp or
flax fibers.
Types of Materials:
White burlap with metallic foil coating. Decorative oversized wood buttons covered in
burlap. Circular patch pockets and cropped sleeves and hook closure.
Interests in Fashion:
My interest in green concepts has always been in reduction of waste, reuse, or up-cycling
of existing fashions or materials. For the human treatment of animals and the protection of
our natural environment and the wildlife that inhabits it.
Designer: Carrie Cabrera
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: The Glamorous Abaca
Garment Description:
Glamorous Abaca (jute linen) is an environment friendly A-line gown with a mandarin
collar.The gown is ombre dyed with turmeric from the bottom and handmade
embellishments are used on the neckline. I was inspired from various types of wooden
texture.
Types of Materials:
Fabrics used - Jute linen - Turmeric for dying - Jute threads for embellishments on the neck
line (hand done). - Swarovski crystals on the neck line.
Interests in Fashion:
Cruelty is one fashion statement we can do without. It is our duty as designers to show
people that glamorous and beautiful clothes can be made from materials that are grown
naturally and require no bloodshed. A step towards green peace.
Designer: Catherine Jha
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Entry Title: Wild Beauty
Garment description:
This garment is a 3/4 sleeve coat/dress. This garment embodies femininity and mystery.
Delicate fur-like bursts made of 100% shredded polyester organza enhance the female
figure. It is both fashionable and practical.
Types of Materials:
Fabrics used were a blanket made of100% polyester boucle and 100% polyester
organza used to create a fur-like texture.
Interests in Fashion:
I feel that creating green fashion is a fantastic way to help the planet as well as ourselves.
Fashionable pieces do not have to be made by hurting animals. Creating compassionate,
green fashion garments will help save animal lives.
Designer: Gustavo Alonso
Born Free USA & E Magazine Present the 5th Annual
Design Title: White Military Gown
Garment description:
It is a military inspired white gown with fabric manipulations.
Types of Materials:
Muslin - 100% cotton Gabardine Faux Leather
Interests in Fashion:
It is important to keep everything in the environment safe because if we do not take care
of our surroundings we will eventually be harmed by the results.
Desginer: Norelis Arroyo
KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD
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