Emerging Young Designer™ of the Year 2007 Announced

The 3rd Annual Emerging Young Designer of the Year™ (EYDY) Fashion Competition provided a glimpse into the future of the fashion industry when it was held in Saint Charles, MO, September 21. Taking home the top honor of Emerging Young Designer of the Year 2007 was Ashley Dost of Columbia, MO.

From the colleges in 21 states that were invited to compete, the student designer finalists in this competition represented 12 colleges throughout the Midwest. The purpose of this competition is to discover young talented designers and reward them for their creativity and ingenuity, to encourage careers in the fashion and sewing related industries and to provide a platform for recognizing these emerging young designers. Students were judged on creativity, effectiveness of the design, marketability on how their piece reflects current trends, textile usage, workmanship, construction and fit.

In addition to the overall award, the EYDY 2007 Award, prizes were awarded to five categories: Art to Wear, Sportswear/Daywear, Activewear/Swimwear, Tailored Suits and Coats, and Eveningwear. Two special awards were also awarded, the Rising Star Award and the President’s Best of Show Award.

The following winners were awarded prizes in the event:

• EYDY 2007 winner Ashley Dost, Stephens College, received the newest machine from Brother -- the Duetta 4500D Sewing/Embroidery machine.
• Feng Li, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, was awarded the President’s Choice/Best of Show Award and received a Bernina serger.
• The Rising Star Award was presented by the Fashion Group International STL to Meghan Petty. Ms. Petty attends Stephens College and received a cash award as well as other sewing notions.
• Art to Wear -- First Place winner Rina Park, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, received a Bernina Activa 240. Second Place winner Jaime Labinski, Mount Mary College, received a Bernina Activa 220, and Third Place winner Parron Edwards, Mississippi State University, received a Rowenta Professional Steam Iron.
• Sportswear/Daywear -- First Place winner Emily Harris, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, received a Baby Lock Decorators Choice. Second Place winner Jeein Shin, Columbus College of Art and Design, received a Brother Project Runway Machine, and Third Place winner Hong Rickett, Bradley University, received a Rowenta Professional Steam Iron.
• Activewear/Swimwear -- First Place winner Cassandra Heinz, Stepehens College, won a Baby Lock serger. Second Place winner Sherrel Hall, Lindenwood University, received a Brother Project Runway Machine. Third Place winner Meghan Petty, Stephens College, received a Rowenta Professional Steam Iron.
• Tailored Suits and Coats -- First Place winner Sheryl Graham, Lindenwood University, received an Elna Sewing Machine. Second Place winner Meghan Petty, Stephens College, received a Brother Project Runway Machine.
• Eveningwear -- First Place winner Erica Hollinshead-Stead, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, received a Singer Futura Sewing & Embroidery Machine. Second Place winner Jessica Niehaus, Missouri State University, won a Brother Project Runway Machine, and Third Place winner Patricia Atherton, Ball State University, received a Rowenta Professional Steam Iron.

All of the winners also received products from Sulky of America, Coats and Clark, American & Efird, and Clover. Some of the winners received products from Bear Thread Designs.

For more information about the next Emerging Young Designer of the Year Competition, call the Sewing Dealers Trade Association at 1-800-367-5651.

The competition is a program of the Sewing Dealers Trade Association, the association that represents independent sewing machine dealers throughout the world.

Reprinted from SQE Professional, December 2007