Faculty Recognized in the CURATE THIS! 2010 International Public Vote

Fashion Design faculty, Li-Fen Anny Chang, received recognition of the top 15 artists, architects, and designers in the CURATE THIS! 2010 International Public Vote. The contest was organized by B E C A - Bridge for Emerging Contemporary Art, http://www.curatethis.org/. Over 2,000 votes were cast from 19 countries. As a result, Anny received 8th Place. Visit http://campaigns.ratepoint.com/campaigns/0be4be84f36d3449d1122f0751191110 to view the result of the contest. Visit, http://www.curatethis.org/participating-artists-and-designers.php to view the works of artists, architects, and designers.

The top 15 vote receiving artists, architects, and designers were featured in the 2010 publication of CURATE THIS! which was released in November, 2010. To preview the book, visit http://www.blurb.com/books/1690020.

In addition, Anny was selected by Dr. Helen Pheby, Senior Curator of Yorkshire Sculpture Park (http://www.ysp.co.uk/), as one of the artists of the CURATE THIS! 2010 New Art Publication. To preview the book, visit http://www.blurb.com/books/1727277.

Make It With Wool Contest

The 2009 Texas Make It With Wool Contest was held on Saturday, November 28th at the Y.O. Ranch Resort and Hotel in Kerrville, Texas. Sponsoring the event were the Texas Women’s Auxiliary of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Assoc. and Kerrville Wool and Mohair, Inc. managed by Justin Stieler. State Director, Brenda Seidensticker, and  Assistant Director, Suzy Stewart, organized and conducted the contest. Judges were Betty Burton of Ingram, Scott Allen of Kerrville, and Connie Bernhard of Harper, Texas. There were participants in 5 divisions; Pre-teen, Junior, Senior, Adult, and Made for Others.

Participants in the Texas contest received wool fabric from Pendleton Wool in Oregon. In addition, winners received cash from the Women’s Auxiliary and mohair fabric given by the Mohair Council of America. In the over 24 (Adult division), Fashion Design Assistant Professor, Li-Fen Anny Chang won and represented Texas in the National Adult contest. The garment, a DVD and photos were sent in and judged by the National committee, 2010 National Make It With Wool Competition. There were 25 entries. Anny won Honarable Mention along with ladies from Oregon and Ohio (photo taken by Scott Allen, Boss Photos).

Anny's "Color Me Successful" Receiving Honorable Mention at Peacock Thai Silk Competition

Li-Fen Anny Chang, Assistant Professor of Fashion Design, created this three-piece ensemble for a women's career wear competition sponsored by the Queen Sirikit Institute of Sericulture (QSIS) of Thailand. “Color Me Successful” was juried as one of the top 10 designs; the initial jury was a panel from International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). The top 10 designs will be exhibited at the Queen Sirikit Peacock Standards of Thai Silk exhibition and ASEAN conference on August 6th to 9th in Bangkok. “Color Me Successful” also receives an "Honorable Mention" recognition from Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand. The trophy will be presented to Anny in the ITAA’s annual conference in Seattle, October 2009.

The handmade yellow and blue reversible Thai silk with the motif of flowers and stripes was the inspiration, particularly the exotic colors of the yellow side of the fabric. The design details were intended to make wearers seem competent and reliable, yet stylish. The ensemble could be worn with or without the jacket depending on the weather, personal preference, or to suit professional needs. (model: Nikki Trizza, photographer: Job Ruzvidzo)
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Marian's "Fair and Square" - One of the Top 10 Finalists for Peacock Thai Silk Competition

Marian O’Rourke-Kaplan, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, entered this suit in a competition that was judged by the Queen of Thailand. The initial jury was a panel from ITAA (International Textile and Apparel Association) and “Fair and Square” was selected as a finalist to be shipped to Bangkok for the final judgment of Queen Sirikit. The charge was career wear created in Thai Peacock standard silk. Marian chose an exquisite hand loomed silk in an alluring Garnet color with a firm hand and gutsy weight for the suit. A lighter weight tissue taffeta irregular stripe in the same Garnet on a field of Pewter and Sand tones was an ideal companion to add interest.
“Fair and Square” is a suit that is conservative, as career wear should be; but far from boring which suiting can often become. The stripe fabric used to create the shell was cut entirely on the bias to soften the crisp fabric and allow for a dartless fit. With seams at center front and back, a horizontal yoke cut 4 inches below the notched boat neck, allows the stripes to create a focal point of the design in the square pattern at center front. An open collarless neckline on the jacket keeps focus on the stripe patterning of the shell. (model: Stephanie Montes, photographer: Job Ruzvidzo)
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"Bubblicious" by Marian O'Rourke-Kaplan

Marian O’Rourke-Kaplan, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, created this dress for a competition sponsored by Threads magazine. Seams are the focus of the competition and she created a ½” fringe trim with the red warp of the base cloth and inserted it in each vertical seam. The A-line bubble skirted cocktail dress shimmers in the light with an iridescence that causes shifting colors from hues of golden red and olive green, to bronze and copper. Marian chose a coarsely woven silk faille constructed of turquoise and goldenrod weft with ruby red warp for the torso and selected a cherry red Silk Ikat floral tissue taffeta as a companion for the skirt and bra. “Bubblicious” has a fun sexy silhouette and the fabrications create a visual delight for that special night on the town. (model: Nikki Trizza, photographer: Job Ruzvidzo)
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Anny Received 2nd Place in Garment Design, RAGS Wearable Art Sale and Show

Li-Fen Anny Chang's "Homesick" received Second Place in the Garment Categroy of the 15th annual RAGS, Wearable Art Sale and Show. The art show with Gala event took place in Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma, Washington on March 12 and ran March 13 -15.
"RAGS is a juried wearable art competition and sale that benefits the YWCA’s domestic violence prevention and intervention programs." For more information about RAGS, visit http://www.ywca.org/site/apps/lk/content2.aspx?c=dkLQK9MNIoG&b=240426

Modeled by Jessica Griffing

Janie's Wedding Dress Design Was Featured in D Magazine...

Janie Stidham, Associate Professor and Fashion Design Program Coordinator designed a wedding gown which was featured in the "D Weddings" magazine Fall 2008 issue. Dr. Stidham created this contemporary bridal gown for a non-traditional summer wedding that would take place in an outdoor garden setting in Alaska. The design was intended to feel regionally appropriate and unique in design. Images and illustrations from Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale "The Snow Queen" were used to inspire the design and aesthetics of the gown. Illustrations of the snow queen in the fairytale show her in a gown with glistening layers of a beaded fabric and an elaborate opalescent long fur cape. A combination of textures through the use of silk, sheers, beads, yarns, and ribbons were combined to create a similar feeling in this wedding gown with handmade fur. It is in the Fall 2008 issue of D Weddings (a D magazine publication). Visit the link below for more details.

http://www.dmagazine.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=7155F7796F354F21B1183937D847D6DF&tier=4&id=B79D2D49296145229DCD0C252C3891ED&AudId=3F6B9AAD414E47518273678DB2EFCADD

This gown was also selected to be part of the International Textile and Apparel Association Mounted Exhibition in Schaumburg, Illinois on November 7th.
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Congratulations to Marian for Her “Moroccan Dream”

Marian O'Rourke-Kaplan, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, her recent design entitled “Moroccan Dream” won "Audience Choice" award in the Threads design competition at the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals Annual Conference held in Bloomingdale, IL October 16-29, 2008. Congratulations to Marian!

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"Ribbon Dance", summer 08' by Li-Fen Anny Chang

This cocktail dress was inspired by the designer’s interpretation of the flow and softness of tissue paper. The folding of the “ribbons” (created by sewing two tones of silk charmeuse together) were artfully folded and tied to create highlights of the design. Photos were taken by Li Fan.
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"Moroccan Dream" by Marian O'Rourke-Kaplan

The Fashion Design Faculty have been very busy this summer. Janie, Marian and Anny have all created designs for a Threads Magazine sponsored design competition. Moroccan Dream is Marian's creation from foulard Silk purchased in NYC while directing the maymester tour. Combined with 2 colors of Silk chiffon and 2 color of silk charmeuse its skirt drape converts to a capelet for those breezy desert nights of Morocco! You see it here modeled by our very own Nikki!

Ask Anny and Janie to show you theirs on the blog as well!!

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