{"id":7068,"date":"2016-05-24T07:47:36","date_gmt":"2016-05-24T11:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=7068"},"modified":"2016-05-24T07:47:36","modified_gmt":"2016-05-24T11:47:36","slug":"cone-denim-design-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2016\/05\/cone-denim-design-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Go Far Beyond Blue Jeans in Cone Denim Design Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NC State\u2019s Wilson College of Textiles helped Greensboro-based Cone Denim<\/a> celebrate 125 years of denim ingenuity this spring with the White Oak Selvage Denim Design Challenge. Twenty five students from the College\u2019s department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management <\/a>showed original designs made from White Oak selvage denim in the design challenge and runway competition held April 6. Jurors were industry icons Francois Girbaud, Founder & Owner Marith\u00e9 + Francois Girbaud<\/a>; Scott Morrison, Founder, President & Designer 3X1<\/a>; Amy Leverton of Denim Dudes<\/a>; and Victor Lytvinenko, Founder Raleigh Denim Workshop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students designers<\/a> used authentic American selvage denim replicated from the early 1900s and woven on vintage American Draper fly-shuttle looms. Each participated in a semester-long seminar class where they were challenged to think creatively and innovate a denim \u201cwork of art\u201d currently unavailable in the marketplace. They had to employ various technical design processes using their understanding of fabric construction and dimensional design. In the end, 30 designs were juried in that celebrated the authenticity and evolution of selvage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were very excited to include the Denim Design Competition as part of Cone Denim\u2019s 125 year anniversary celebration,\u201d said Ken Kunberger, CEO & President, International Textile Group and Cone Denim. \u201cWe know the design students at the Wilson College of Textiles are among the best in the country, and they did not disappoint.  The designs were amazing and exhibited the beauty and versatility of selvage denim.  The creativity was over the top and we could not have been any more pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they kicked off the White Oak Selvage Denim Design Challenge seminar class, Nancy Webster, adjunct professor and a TATM Advisory Board member, and Fay Gibson, TATM lecturer, gave the students very specific instructions: \u201cInspire ITG and their customers; take denim to a place it\u2019s never gone before.\u201d The designers achieved that. (See their work.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top three pieces all explored the use of denim in exciting new ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kim Ring\/Renee Graff: <\/strong>Selvage denim brings new strength and ruggedness to outdoor activewear. Denim was appliqued to stretch performance fabric to create durable yet flexible bottoms, perfect for activities like rock climbing. Selvage dipped in reflective material was used to highlight the lines of the look in the puffer jacket. The garment was also filled with recycled denim, which could be a new use for imperfect denim fabric or old denim clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rachel Godown:<\/strong> Form and texture collide in this fabric manipulated walking work of art. Variegated shades of blue with the fringe and folds of the dress give the wearer movement and texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackie Burris:<\/strong> Eyes Open, Eyes Closed featuring David Bowie was developed using lenticular design which is seen in street art. After preparing the denim substrate using a bleaching technique, two images were spliced alternating the image arrangement into a digital file. This image was then digitally printed using the whole garment printer. The colored stitching of the pleats further emphasizes the lenticular effect of the garment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top three winners has their designs on display at the Kingpins Show in New York City May 11-12. In addition, first place winners Ring and Graff won the \u201cCone Denim Experience\u201d that included an all-expense paid trip to New York to work with the Cone Denim Group and attend the Kingpins show. Second place winner Godown took home $750, and third-place winner Burris received $500.
Students designers were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n