TOP DESIGN COMPETITION
The Top Design Competition shines the spotlight on a new generation of emerging designers in a exciting fashion competition with a highly coveted prize package. The 2012 Top Designer, Stephanie Young, won a prize package including 90 days of retail presence at Vernon Clothing, a manufacturing package from NOLA Sewn, editorial coverage in Amelie G Magazine, a new Brother sewing machine compliments of AllBrands.com, a gift certificate from Promenade Fine Fabrics, and a photo shoot of the winning collection with professional photographer, John Jay.
2013 TOP DESIGN WINNER
Congratulations to Ashley Gunkel, winner of the 2013 Top Design Competition!
2013 TOP DESIGN COMPETITORS
Abbey Vitrano
Abbey, a Slidell native and LSU Senior Apparel Design student, has designed wardrobes for at least 16 theatre productions and describes her aesthetic as "smart." Abbey enjoys structure and simplicity in her statement pieces that are designed to be easily mixed and matched.
Alyssa Quintero
Alyssa was born and raised in Baton Rouge and started sewing in high school. After enrolling in LSU's apparel design program, she interned in New York at Vera Wang. Alyssa's designs are classic and elegant, exuding femininity.
Ashley Gunkel
Ashley grew up in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Her coastal upbringing helped to foster her love for color, design, and form, which she cultivated into an enthusiasm for fashion. Ashley obtained a degree from Mississippi State in Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising. Ashley infuses her passion into each garment she creates, and hopes her designs allow the wearer to express their own passions as well.
Brooke Lynn Wright
Brooke began her lifelong love of sewing and design in her mother's Victorian interior design studio in Lafayette. Drawn to New Orleans for its patent charm, she studied Film Arts at UNO. Brooke looks forward to keeping her design inspiration and production local, and to continuing to seek the spectacle in the everyday.
Erica Durousseau
Erica, a Lake Charles, Louisiana native, holds a degree in broadcast journalism from Grambling State University. Durousseau began designing clothing in 2007, after receiving a sewing machine as a gift from her mother. Using her keen eye for prints, and inspiration from trips to Australia, England and Fiji, Durousseau combines color with tailoring that brings a fresh look to her garments.
Gil Tisdale & Dominique Verona
Dominique grew up in Sweden where she learned sewing and design from her mother. Gil, a South Carolina native, graduated from Clemson University with a BFA in Visual Arts. Gil and Dominique moved to Charleston in 2008 where they quickly realized their mutual love for fashion. Their design aesthetic is a study in dichotomy and they aim to create pieces using alternative materials.
Kallen Forster
Kallen received her Masters of Apparel Design from LSU in the Fall of 2012. Her thesis research was focused within socially responsible design methods and developed partnerships with international women's cooperatives that train, empower, and employ village women in various design techniques. Kallen's thesis collection consisted of classic silhouettes with modern twists that were interchangeable and transitional through changing seasons.
Katharine Louise Faust
Katharine found a home in New Orleans after studying in Savannah, GA, Los Angeles, CA and Aix-en-Provence, France. Katharine has a B.A. in Painting from East Stroudsburg University and an M.A. in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. Although not her educational focus, sewing has always been a passion for Katharine. She aims to create wearable looks and reserved statement pieces that evoke a sense of beauty and confidence.
Kelly Druce
Kelly is a senior at the University of Alabama, majoring in apparel design with a minor in digital art. Kelly interned at Alexander Berardi and Mood Fabrics in New York. She draws inspiration from video games and the strong, sexy heroines featured in the games. Kelly contrasts strong, masculine elements with soft, feminine ones.
Lindsey Smith
Lindsey, a Slidell native, recently completed a BFA in Fashion Design at Savannah College of Art and Design. During the summer of 2010, Lindsey interned with New Orleans designer, Suzanne Perron. She likes to push the boundaries of what is considered "acceptable" fabric, and fun, flirty silhouettes for young women transitioning from teen to a young adult are Lindsey's trademark.
Nathan Walker
Nathan is currently a Fashion Design and Merchandising student at the University of Louisisiana at Lafayette. In 2012, Nathan won the first FWNOLA Student Design Competition with an evening gown that embodied his high-fashion, elegant aesthetic.
