On what seemed a day plagued with rain, today September 8, 2011 marked the fourth annual Supima Design Competition. As one of the more competitive fashion shows of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the show focused on eight finalists who under pressure of the world’s biggest fashion stage, were put to the test. Each designer rigorously fought to obtain their spot, and made it priority to put their best foot forward. With a panel of fashion heavyweights: Gilt Groupe founder Alexandria Wilson, the beautiful Coco Rocha, Bloomingdales Vice President Kevin Harter along with designers Charlotte Ronson and Nicole Miller and honorable reputation of the Supima design contest, the show’s potential for greatness became clearly evident. But as wonderful as the scenery, contest, and celebrities, so was the fashion.
With a beautiful opening to the competition by stylist Rachel Zoe, the finalists embarked on their last journey to fulfill fashion design stardom, and a hefty check of $10,000. With an ambience of a sophisticated science fair, the show took off to a fierce start. To begin the show finalists’ chosen of the Pratt Institute unveiled their work, both Maru Jung and Dara Rosen. Both students were to set the tone, for the show. Through an incredible display of fabric design, Jung portrayed persistently her ability to integrate fabrics. Although Jung’s work held great artistry, it felt as if she played “safe” by continuously using the cocktail dress as the medium of her work, while her colleague Dara Rosen used different forms of the “evening gown” to illustrate her originality. Rosen includes cocktail dresses of dyed fabric, a denim dress with a rope adornment and beautifully so much more. A piece of that “caught my eye” or lens happens to be Rosen’s cocktail dress of inset pleats made of shirting ends, which provide a subtle spark to the conventional dress. Rosen’s collection echoes Soho chic and does so very well.
While on the discussion of visual attraction, Rachel Pullman the third designer to share her work, seemed to have focus on the imagery of her designs opposed to the actual structure. As her collection began to progress the diversity began to go down. Pullman’s colleague Connie Weng’s collection contained astonishing detail, while her color hues were of perfect amount, and location. The two contestants of Savannah College of Art and Design Marlow Larson and Lorena Cuevas, did little with color but found their advantage in innovative dress form. While Larson focused on shifting the top structure of the evening gown, Cuevas focused heavily on the shoulders and neck area of the evening gown. The bottom two contestants Amy Bittner and Jusil Carrol of the Fashion Institute of Technology ended the competition on a good foot, as both designers demonstrated an enormous amount of multiplicity in their respective collections. What I found striking of Bittner’s work was the utilization of lace material, and the color olive. Bittner’s use of lace, and tone of olive might have been a choice of personal preference, but it definitely enhanced the look of her pieces. Carrol’s compilation illustrated a dramatic effect, primarily found in her first piece a cocktail dress that includes a leather shoulder harness and enhanced back line drop. Carrol definitely ends the show on a serious note, while retaining creativity.
Well there cannot be a competition, without a distinguished winner. With a blown away Rachel Zoe, who surprisingly quotes “Are they old enough to hire? ” the audience as well as competitors, are revealed the winner who happens to be Jusil Carrol of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Oh, how I envy her. Carrol, ecstatic and flustered of the win generously thanks the board for the opportunity, and her family of their support. All in all, the Supima design competition has once again been able to captivate the minds of young designers o put their best work forward, in order to push the fashion industry to new heights. Who knows what is next for Jusil Carrol, but she probably will tell you next year the wonderful opportunities, she has received due to her win. Once again another great opening to fashion week, see you next year Supima!
Anthony Thomas is the Creative Director for WeBleedFlashion a men’s sartorial line aimed in motivating the African American youth of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn NY and future generations.
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