AATCC and Runway of Dreams joint student design competition. Showcase your talent in design to win cash, recognition and exposure in the fashion industry!
All Finalists will be notified by February 23, 2021
All winners will be notified by May 11, 2021
FASHION FOR ALL: 2021 AATCC/Runway of Dreams Foundation Student Design Competition
Showcase your talent in design to win cash, recognition, and exposure in the fashion industry!
Create or transform an accessory (bags, belts, jewelry, shoes, ) that reimagines fashion and function for people with disabilities. All accessories MUST be textile based!
You may select any disability, wheelchair users, people with autism, sight impaired, crutch/walker users, people with cerebral palsy, or other challenges. Accessories could hold medical equipment discreetly while being multipurpose for the user, be a product that functions better for someone based on their disability, make needed equipment more functional and fashionable, etc. (ie. functional features that can help someone be more independent in their daily lives, and/or hold needed items like feeding pumps, insulin pumps, catheters, suction machines, emergency medication, monitors, braces, communication devices, fidgets, or other items.)
You MUST research and present the chosen population’s challenges/needs. Entries will not be accepted without documented research.
The accessory should be stylish, on-trend and enhance the everyday existence of the wearer with a disability.
Make the designs both fashionable and Be creative—think outside the box!
Create a color palette inspiration
Phase 1: First, present your designs in a two-page pdf digital
Phase 2: Finalists will then be asked to produce a physical product or prototype and showcase the product in a 2-3 min If a sample item is too costly to produce, create a 3-dimensional illustration and explain the process that would be used to produce the product. See competition entry checklist for guidelines.
All entries must be United States Only individual entries will be accepted—no groups.
Students (undergraduate and graduate) must graduate AFTER Summer 2021 (graduating seniors are NOT eligible). You must be enrolled as a student during the Fall of 2021.
You must be an AATCC student member to enter; join onlineor submit applicationand US$35.
Refer to the Competition Entry Checklist as a helpful guide. Entries that do not meet ALL components of the checklist will be disqualified.
Awards
1st place: Runway of Dreams Foundation will award a minimum of US$5,000 scholarship to the first place The award will be given at the Runway of Dreams Annual Fashion Revolution Gala and Fashion Show in NYC in September 2021. The winner will have the opportunity to showcase their design before the top leaders in the fashion industry. Runway of Dreams Foundation will make travel and overnight hotel accommodations for the winner up to US$1,000.
Winner will receive a written certificate of accomplishment and be publicized on AATCC and Runway of Dreams Foundation platforms including, newsletters, press releases, etc.
Winner will be asked to submit a short written (one page) or video (2-3 minutes) report describing their academic and creative pursuits in fashion a year following receipt of the A report reminder will be sent in the spring.
All finalists will receive an Honorable Mention for their resumes.
Additional Scholarship Awards may be added based on available funding.
COMPETITION TIMELINE:
Phase I Entries: Due by noon US EST March 24, 2021
Finalists will be notified by April 6, 2021
Phase II Finalist Entries: Due by noon US EST April 27, 2021
AATCC announces this competition anticipating that design, art, and merchandising faculty may incorporate it as a project for their curriculum.
Faculty members are encouraged to assist students with the coordination of resources, and to act as liaisons with AATCC for this competition.
Permissions
By entering the competition, you agree to allow AATCC and the Runway of Dreams Foundation to use photographs and/or digital imagery of your entry (and yourself should you be a winner) in print and electronic publications and press releases. By submitting a design to the contest, entrant grants the Sponsor (Runway of Dreams Foundation) a Right of First Offer to enter into a mutually agreeable agreement to commercialize the design. You also agree to allow AATCC to process and retain your personal information for the purposes of the competition.
Entries that do not meet ALL components of the checklist will be disqualified.
Step 1: DESIGN YOUR Accessory ITEM
For page one of your entry, include the following:
Choose a color palette as inspiration for design(s)
Research target consumer and products currently in the market to determine new approaches to meet specific needs
Use technical sketches (CAD, hand drawn, etc.) to illustrate your piece(s)
Use a combination of imagery and text to demonstrate the enhanced feature(s)
Engineered or allover prints should be illustrated to show accurate placement and scale on the product(s)
For page two of your entry, include the following:
Document all research pertinent to your designs and inspiration for the accessory
Define your target customer and how your accessory addresses specific needs of the wearer
Include and describe accessory features that are unique in the way they enhance the wearer’s experience with respect to the person’s special circumstances
Emphasize not only functional features, but aesthetic features that are stylish and on-trend
Step 2: Present Designs in a two-page Storyboard
All text in the English language
Save storyboard as a flattened PDF file (choose text fonts that are easy for judges to read)
Save storyboard with the entry title as the file name (NO student names, etc. in file name)
No less than 150 dpi resolution
File size no more than 15 MB (please make sure to flatten your PDF to reduce the file size)
Each storyboard page size should be 48 in. width x 36 in. height
If including inspiration photos, please limit them to no more than 25% of your poster, and make sure they are your own images. (Due to copyright laws, do not include images on your poster that you do not have specific permission to use.)
Memberships are processed during business hours ONLY. Membership applications may take up to one business day to process. Memberships must be purchased by March 22, 2021
Step 4:
Finalists will be announced by April 6, 2021
Finalists must complete the following:
Produce a physical product or prototype of their design for one item.
Submit a 2-3 minute video showcasing the product and explaining the motivation, thought processes, and choices behind the design and/or modifications. If a sample item is too costly to produce, create a 3-dimensional illustration and explain the process that would be used to produce the product.
Finalist will be judged on creativity and innovation, how well the item addresses the needs of the target market, and its relevance to current fashion trends.
The video must be uploaded to a video sharing website such as YouTube and finalists must provide a weblink for judging.
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award a minimum of US$5,000 scholarship to the first place winner. The award will be given at Runway of Dreams Annual Fashion Revolution Gala and Fashion Show in NYC in September 2021
The winner will have the opportunity to showcase their design before the top leaders in the fashion industry.
Runway of Dreams Foundation will make travel and overnight hotel accommodations for the winner up to US$1,000.
All entries must be United States Citizens
All winners will receive a written certificate of accomplishment and be publicized on AATCC and Runway of Dreams Foundation platforms including, newsletters, press releases, etc.
All winners will be asked to submit a short written (one page) or video (2-3 minutes) report describing their academic and creative pursuits in fashion a year following receipt of the scholarship.
Additional scholarship awards may be added based on available funding
The 2021 theme challenged students to create or transform an accessory (bags, belts, jewelry, shoes, etc.) that reimagines fashion and function for people with disabilities. All accessories MUST be textile based!
1st Place
Starry Night Super Socks by Emma Steadman from Duke University. She will be awarded a US$5,000 scholarship. The prize will be presented at the Runway of Dreams Fashion Revolution Runway Show and Gala during NYFW 2021 (with up to US$1,000 travel and lodging stipend). Steadman is a mechanical engineering student.
She says, “This competition with a requirement to choose an accessory taught me that even the smallest adaptation can be revolutionary to help people with disabilities feel comfortable and confident. This will be important to remember in my career that the most brilliant ideas aren’t necessarily always the most extravagant, but rather they are the ones that keep the needs of the consumer in focus.”
The entries below have received an Honorable Mention. They will receive recognition in AATCC media and a certificate of accomplishment from the Runway of Dreams Foundation.
The Libby Belt by Emma Ryan from the Kendall College of Art and Design, enrolled in Fashion Studies.
From this competition she says she learned that “Fashion should be available for everyone but unfortunately a lot of people have to sacrifice fashion for function. By communicating with the consumer, garments and accessories can be designed to be both.”
Tastefully Inclusive by Payton Rigler, University of Arkansas, Apparel Merchandising and Product Development.
Rigler says, “This competition was a huge learning experience for me. It was the first time I constructed an accessory, as well as an opportunity to create something not intended for personal use. It was insightful to learn about those living with disabilities and hearing how different their day-to-day life looks like and the challenges they often face. Overall, this competition was extremely beneficial and will most definitely impact my future designs in a way that is less self-driven and more aware of meeting specific needs of others.”
Thompson says, “This competition has reinforced my belief that intentional design is imperative and important! As an apparel and accessories industry professional, I know first-hand that brands do not design for people with disabilities. In future positions I plan to ensure inclusivity and attention to detail regarding ableism occurs during the concept/design stage and is part of the final product selections for market.”
About Runway of Dreams Foundation: Runway of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. Through awareness campaigns, adaptive runway shows, wardrobe grants, scholarship programs and college clubs, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is empowering people with disabilities with opportunity, confidence, independence, and style.
About AATCC: AATCC is the world’s leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members throughout the world.
The 2020 theme challenged students to transform a current stylish, on-trend look that reimagines fashion and function for persons with dwarfism.
Winners and Awards: See the Winning entries and meet the winners!
Four entries qualified as finalists. Based on the quality and merit of each finalist’s entry, the Runway of Dreams Foundation will award scholarships to the following students for their work:
1st Place
Open to All by Mary Brakefield from University of Tennessee. She will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship. The prize will be presented at the Runway of Dreams Fashion Revolution Runway Show and Gala during NYFW 2021 (with up to $1,000 travel and lodging stipend).
Brakefield is a Retail and Consumer Sciences major. She says “This competition was a great opportunity to further explore the challenges people with disabilities face when purchasing clothing. Executing the final design opened my eyes to the problems that might arise when manufacturing adaptive clothing on a large scale.”
She plans to launch an adaptive fashion label in Nashville, TN with her mom. This competition helped Brakefield realize how passionate she is about the industry. She is excited to continue working towards filling the gap that exist in fashion.
2nd Place
The Autumn Worksuit by Anna Roth from Oregon State University. She will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship.
Roth is currently studying Apparel Design. From the competition she learned about the importance of adaptability and accessibility. She says, “with the right design, a designer can still make a wearable and affordable product.”
After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in Fashion Design and then work as an independent designer. Learning how to empathize and design for a customer with different needs has allowed Roth to serve a diverse range of consumers as a designer.
3rd Place
Sunset GlowSunset Glow by Yunjie Luo from North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles. She will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Luo is pursuing a Master of Science in Textiles and learned from this competition about the difficulties people with dwarfism face when purchasing clothing. She says, “I think good design is to respect the needs of a target consumer and to use creative ideas to solve problems.”
Her master’s research is on 3D clothing simulation in customization. This competition helped her realize that 3D clothing simulation technology was a good way to customize clothing especially for those with dwarfism. Luo plans to continue to focus on this group while enhancing her expertise.
Honorable Mention
Lazulite Sky Concerto by Rujie Wang from North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles. She will be awarded a $500 scholarship
Wang is studying Textile Apparel Technology and Management. This was Wang’s first time designing and constructing a dress for a specific target market. She finds pattern making and sewing new and interesting.
She wants to pursue a career in the fashion industry where she can combine her knowledge about design and management to become an effective communicator between designers and customers. She says, “This competition taught me how to start from the needs of customers and provide functionality to fashion. I think this will be a very useful experience in my future work.”
Thank you to the following developers and judges!
Without their expertise and assistance, the Competition would not have been possible.
The 2019 theme challenges students to design a prom look (male or female) that reimagines fashion and function for a person within the disability spectrum who has ONE of the below conditions:
non-ambulatory
limb difference
cognitive disability
ambulatory with fine motor challenges
dwarfism
Winners and Awards: See the Winning entries and meet the winners!
8 of the 24 entries qualified as finalists. Based on the quality and merit of each finalist’s entry, the Runway of Dreams Foundation will award scholarships and/or awards to the following entries:
1st Place
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award Wrapped in Roses by April Davenport from Oregon State University a $5,000 scholarship. The award will be presented at the Runway of Dreams Foundation Gala in September in NYC (with up to $1,000 travel and lodging stipend).
According to Davenport, completing this contest entry gave her knowledge that she would not have been able to easily get anywhere else. Through creating her contest poster, she learned how to better communicate design ideas through visual and verbal communication. By completing the final prototype, she learned what an extensive process it is to create a garment completely from scratch. She says, “This part of the contest was definitely the hardest for me, but I still found it immensely enjoyable because I knew that creating my design would help play a part in boosting the exposure of people with disabilities in the fashion industry.” Creating the finalist video taught Davenport a little bit about what goes into creating a professional video, and how important it is to be able to express one’s concept clearly and simply. Ultimately, this contest taught her what it would be like to be an adaptive apparel designer, and it reinforced her dream to do that as a career one day.
Davenport says “As an apparel design student with a disability, it is my dream to become an adaptive apparel designer. I want to be able to use my own experiences and challenges with clothing to help improve the lives of other people like me. As a contestant in the Runway of Dreams Competition, I leaned many valuable lessons that I will help me pursue my goal of becoming an adaptive apparel designer. One of the big takeaways I have from this contest is how important consumer research is. Going into this contest I had a good amount of knowledge from my personal experiences, but it was the hours of detailed consumer research about the adaptive market that effectively helped me craft my final design. This contest also taught me about the power clothing can have in people’s lives. Adaptive clothing has the power to change someone’s life, and the importance of that cannot be overstated.”
2nd Place
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award Royal Rose by Lauren Bouvier from University of Arkansas. She will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship for second place.
According to Bouvier, this competition was an incredible opportunity to turn a creative vision into a finished garment that benefited the needs of others. Bouvier says that she learned so much through each part of the process. In developing the design, she studied the adaptable clothing market and learned how to best fulfill the needs of women who are assisted by wheelchairs every day. To create the design, she learned CLO3D, a 3-dimensional design software, and improved her skills in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. For developing the garment, Bouvier learned how to drape and create pattern pieces while practicing new sewing techniques.
In her future career, Bouvier plans to work in the design area in the fashion industry. This competition has revealed an area of the market that is not currently well addressed, and developing fashionable and functional clothes for non-ambulatory women is something she hopes to contribute towards in the future. She says, “I believe every person should feel confident in what they wear, and I want to create clothing that encourages that empowerment.”
3rd Place
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award the entry Chrysalis Gown by Katherine Absher from North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles a $1,000 scholarship.
Absher says she learned about designing with empathy for people whose needs are different from her own. She plans to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She says, “I think design in general is becoming more focused on the individual, so this competition was a great learning experience.”
Dream Dress by MollyKate Cline from Columbus College of Art & Design.
Cline says, “This competition allowed me to learn more about adaptive design within the fashion industry and how to create garments for everybody. My favorite part was researching the chosen disability and coming up with creative solutions to fit the wearer’s needs. I enjoyed taking my idea from concept to design, and then rendering the final construction. This competition has been an amazing experience!”
Cline is working on building her own sustainable clothing company and researching new ways to teach people about sustainable fashion. While creating sustainable pieces or creating clothing for someone with a disability, product knowledge is very important to the consumer and this is something Cline plans to apply in any design situation.
Sialia by Sterling LeBlanc from Oklahoma State University
According to LeBlanc, this competition has made her more aware of things she takes for granted. She says, for example, “I don’t have to think about if my sleeves will let me reach up, because I don’t often have to reach higher than my head, but if you are in a wheelchair, you’ll often have to reach that high or higher.”
LeBlanc plans to go into either pattern making or technical design. Her design heavily relied on the shape of the design which derived from the pattern. This competition really allowed LeBlanc to come up with patterning solutions that she would have never tried before.
Sparkling Yourself by Uikyung Jung from North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles.
Jung says that she learned about the process of apparel product development by considering specific consumer needs and functions while producing a garment. This was Jung’s first time researching not only about demographic segmentation but also the consumer’s need. Participating in the Fashion For All competition is one of the experiences that has stimulated her interest in garment fitting and anthropometrics.
Sunset Chic by Laurette Lisena from University of Delaware
From this competition, Lisena says that she has learned the specific details of constructing a garment. As a fashion merchandising major, this was new to her. She learned how to create a custom pattern in order to bring her design to life. She says, “For me, being able to incorporate adaptive features into my design was a really interesting task to figure out.”
As of now, Lisena is interested in exploring a career in buying, color analytics, or product development. She believes this competition helped her to push her skill set and create a completely new garment. She also says, “I am grateful that I was able to learn about pattern making and adaptive features, as it is important knowledge for anyone working in the fashion industry.”
Unbound Elegance by Chance Zacheis from the University of Missouri
From participating in this competition, Zacheis says she learned the importance of implementing user-centered design in the apparel designing process, especially for unique target consumers who, traditionally, have been neglected by the industry. She also experienced the challenges of working in adaptive features of clothing in order to address specific needs, which has helped her grow as a designer and problem solver.
She says, “I hope to utilize my degree and minors in business and entrepreneurship to open my own apparel store in the future that implements functional design with on trend styles. This competition has widened the window through which I perceive the design process, as well as giving me valuable insight into the lives of a large base of individuals through my research on people living with disabilities.”
Thank you to the following developers and judges!
Without their expertise and assistance, the Competition would not have been possible.
About AATCC: AATCC is the world’s leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members in about 50 countries throughout the world.
About Runway of Dreams Foundation: Runway of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. Through adaptive clothing donations and wardrobe grants, employment initiatives, and modeling opportunities, adaptive design awareness campaigns, and scholarships programs, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is empowering people with disabilities with opportunity, confidence, independence, and style.
AATCC is delighted to announce the winners of the 2018 2nd annual AATCC and Runway of Dreams Foundation Fashion for All Student Design Competition!
This year’s theme challenged students from colleges and universities across the country to design a clothing or accessory item that reimagines fashion and function for people who are seated/wheelchair users. The new item was required to enhance the everyday existence of the wearer and/or their caregiver. See the full competition guidelines for more details.
Winners and Awards: See the Winning entries and meet the winners!
Five entries qualified as finalists. Based on the quality and merit of each finalist’s entry, the Runway of Dreams Foundation will award scholarships to all five at various levels:
1st Place
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award Sophisticated Slacks by Jessica Bachansingh from Florida State University a $5,000 scholarship. The award will be presented at the Runway of Dreams Foundation Gala on June 7, 2018 in NYC (with up to $1,000 travel and lodging stipend).
Jessica Bachansingh is a Retail Entrepreneurship major. She says, “From this competition I learned to make clothing to fit the needs of consumers. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the needs of wheelchair users and how so many needs are unmet by current clothing. You never think of how difficult the shopping process is for those who are disabled. I also got to practice my sewing skills.”
2nd Place
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award two entries for second place, Sea Stars by Allison Steffen from Michigan State University and Hustle & Bustle by Melissa Rodgers from Immaculata University. They both will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship.
Allison Steffen is majoring in Apparel and Textile Design. She says, “Through participation in the AATCC/Runway of Dreams Fashion for All Student Design Competition I learned the importance of designing for a purpose. In this instance, my purpose was enhancing the everyday life of a wheelchair user. I am thankful I could create a design that provides fashion and function to an underrepresented population within the fashion industry. I learned that in the future, I aspire to continue to design with the purpose of multi-functionality.”
Melissa Rodgers is a Fashion Merchandising major with a Product Development minor. From participating in this competition, Rodgers has learned there is an entire group of people that is drastically underrepresented in the fashion industry. She says “we should be doing everything we can to make their lives easier.”
3rd Place
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award the entry Gilded by Andrea Bilgrien from the University of Missouri, Columbia a $1,000 scholarship.
Bilgrien is a Textile and Apparel Management major, Product Development track. She says “This competition was an exciting and challenging experience for me. My submission “Gilded” was a fruitful exercise in using creative problem solving to produce more inclusive designs. I was able to test the waters of user-centered design through the research and production phases of my garment. The Fashion For All competition has given me a new perspective from which I can tackle my future designs, as well as a new passion for adaptable apparel design.”
Honorable Mention
Runway of Dreams Foundation will award the entry Grand Glamour by Carmen Mosnia from University of Texas, Austin a $500 scholarship.
Mosnia is a Textiles and Apparel: Apparel, Functional and Technical Design major. She says “I was able to get a lot out of this competition. I learned how to manage my time when working on something like this and I learned the importance of designing for those with disabilities. Before this competition I never really recognized the need for fashion and clothing that people with disabilities have. After doing extensive research I learned that people who are disabled don’t have a lot of options to wear that are functional as well as fashionable. This competition really opened my eyes and made me realize that the lack of fashionable clothing for people with disabilities is a problem. This was definitely a humbling experience and makes me want to continue further with searching and creating more fashionable items for everyone to wear.”
Thank you to the following developers and judges!
Without their expertise and assistance, the Competition would not have been possible.
About AATCC: AATCC is the world’s leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members in about 50 countries throughout the world.
About Runway of Dreams Foundation: Runway of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. Through adaptive clothing donations and wardrobe grants, employment initiatives and modeling opportunities, adaptive design awareness campaigns and scholarships programs, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is empowering people with disabilities with opportunity, confidence, independence and style.
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Sunset Glow by Yunjie Luo from North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles. She will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Lazulite Sky Concerto by Rujie Wang from North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles. She will be awarded a $500 scholarship
Cline says, “This competition allowed me to learn more about adaptive design within the fashion industry and how to create garments for everybody. My favorite part was researching the chosen disability and coming up with creative solutions to fit the wearer’s needs. I enjoyed taking my idea from concept to design, and then rendering the final construction. This competition has been an amazing experience!”
According to LeBlanc, this competition has made her more aware of things she takes for granted. She says, for example, “I don’t have to think about if my sleeves will let me reach up, because I don’t often have to reach higher than my head, but if you are in a wheelchair, you’ll often have to reach that high or higher.”
Jung says that she learned about the process of apparel product development by considering specific consumer needs and functions while producing a garment. This was Jung’s first time researching not only about demographic segmentation but also the consumer’s need. Participating in the Fashion For All competition is one of the experiences that has stimulated her interest in garment fitting and anthropometrics.
About AATCC: AATCC is the world’s leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members in about 50 countries throughout the world.
About Runway of Dreams Foundation: Runway of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. Through adaptive clothing donations and wardrobe grants, employment initiatives, and modeling opportunities, adaptive design awareness campaigns, and scholarships programs, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is empowering people with disabilities with opportunity, confidence, independence, and style.
Melissa Rodgers is a Fashion Merchandising major with a Product Development minor. From participating in this competition, Rodgers has learned there is an entire group of people that is drastically underrepresented in the fashion industry. She says “we should be doing everything we can to make their lives easier.”
About AATCC: AATCC is the world’s leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members in about 50 countries throughout the world.
About Runway of Dreams Foundation: Runway of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. Through adaptive clothing donations and wardrobe grants, employment initiatives and modeling opportunities, adaptive design awareness campaigns and scholarships programs, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is empowering people with disabilities with opportunity, confidence, independence and style.