Elisa Medina, a third year bachelor of design, fashion and technology student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University is one of three winners of the 2012 Art Deco Chic Fashion Challenge announced last month.
The challenge, held by the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), inspires emerging fashion designers and fashion design students to submit their own Art Deco era garments for a chance of winning a $200 bursary to be used towards the creation of the garments, and a spot to display their creations at the MOV from Sept. 1 to 23.
Medina has always been passionate about the arts and fashion but it wasn’t until she moved to Canada in 2008 from her native country of Ecuador that she began to pursue a career in fashion. Taking the inspiration from MOV’s Art Deco Chic exhibit, Elisa designed a contemporary look and presented it in the form of a fashion illustration and technical flats; this required research in order to portray the Art Deco aesthetic in more depth while keeping the garments relevant to fashion trends.
“After looking at the panel of judges that chose the top entries, winning this competition is an honour,” said Medina. “It’s also great reassurance that I can utilize the skills I’ve learned at Kwantlen to work independently and professionally to accomplish a design that I am proud of. I now must translate my designs from technical flats to sewn garments, a process that involves pattern drafting, prototype development, and sewing the final pieces with a fit and finish worthy of a museum exhibit.”
The Art Deco Chic Fashion Challenge is open to fashion design students, and fashion designers graduated from a post-secondary institution in the last two years or less. To learn more about this challenge please visit: http://www.museumofvancouver.ca/exhibitions/upcoming/art-deco-design-challenge.
For more information on Kwantlen’s design, fashion, and technology program please visit: kwantlen.ca/design.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. More than 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.
