Colorado State University Faculty Member Wins International Design Competition
Wednesday, December 17, 1997
FORT COLLINS--A Colorado State University faculty member has
won the top fashion design award at an international competition
for her exquisite evening gown design.
Diane Sparks, associate professor in the department of
design, merchandising and consumer sciences, won the Lectra
Fashion Award at this year's annual International Textile and
Apparel Association Design Competition. The award, sponsored by
Lectra Systems, was given to Sparks for her evening gown and coat
ensemble which was judged best of competition. Sparks will
receive a week-long trip to Paris to attend Premiere Vision, a
major international fashion show where designers display their
textiles and creations for the coming year.
Sparks' winning piece, titled "Asiatica", is an elegant silk
evening gown and coat ensemble which marries Eastern and Western
styles. The deep blue gown is intricately hand pleated and has a
cotton and chiffon lining. The full-length coat, in a matching
blue tone, is cut from luminous fabric subtly patterned with
traditional Chinese designs. Both pieces were produced with
Sparks' trademark attention to detail and emphasis on function.
Sparks said the design emerged from her interest in Asian motifs.
"The piece is a synthesis of Asian and European fashion,"
Sparks said. "The simple camisole dress silloutte comes from
Europe, the pleating technique is Japanese, the design
inspiration for the coat came from Korea and I bought the fabric
in China."
Sparks completed the design with supporting contributions
from faculty members Sue Kruel-Froseth and Brenda Brandt, both
from the department of design, merchandising and consumer
sciences, and Stuart Sargent, from the department of foreign
languages and literature.
The International Textile and Apparel Association is an
organization of scholars and professionals in the textile and
design industries. This year's juried design competition was held
in Knoxville, Tenn., in conjunction with the association's annual
conference. Entries in the competition went through two stages.
First, applicants submitted slides along with descriptions of
their designs. Selected applicants then submitted their entries
for a second round of competition. The entries were displayed at
an opening reception and design exhibition held at the Knoxville
Museum of Art on
Nov. 12. Over 90 designs were modeled or showcased in the
gallery. Before the exhibition, the designs went through a final
round of judging and winners were announced at the conclusion of
the show.
"I'm delighted to have my work recognized on an
international level," Sparks said. "I've received much support
and encouragement from Colorado State, various grants, my
department head, and my mentor Rob Hillestad at the University of
Nebraska."
As the recipient of the Lectra Fashion Award, Sparks hopes
to negotiate with Lectra Systems for software which would be used
in Colorado State's design program. Lectra Systems produces
computer aided design applications for the clothing industry.
Colorado State's department of design, merchandising, and
consumer sciences also was represented at the competition by
adjunct faculty member Sandy Hutton, and student finalists
Stephanie Hoyland and Heidi Leech. Both Hoyland and Leech were
sponsored by Sparks. Jade Winters, an art student sponsored by
Merry Jo Dallas, was also a finalist. In addition, a professional
collaboration between Sparks and Brooks, a designer from Denver,
was exhibited. The entry was entitled "Town and Country Polar
Fleece Coat".
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