Fashion Unzipped: YCC Zippers Hosts FIT Student Design Contest

Three Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) students are a bit richer after being awarded prize money and prestige for their zipper-friendly designs. The task: sketching three outfits for all-weather activewear and sportswear using YCC waterproof zippers. Contestants created unique zipper pull concepts and were judged on fashion and functionality.

“This work is amazing,” says Phyllis Freedman, director of global sales for YCC, whose goal is to garner awareness for her company’s zippers early in a designer’s career. YCC has 11 factories in China and works with Wal-Mart, H&M, Columbia and Saucony.

Judging took on a “Top Chef” format with multiple eliminations being made by designers Marta Brandysiewicz and Andrew Marc, along with FIT instructors Marilyn Hefferen, Josie Vargas and Colette Wong, Chair of the Fashion Design Department.

The winning look by Eun Ju Koh, titled Recomposed Urbanism, had a streetwear feel and used a unique pull with a compass. “It’s that ballet-inspired activewear that’s very Stella McCartney looking,” says Brandysiewicz. Second place went to Jusil Carroll for a well-illustrated tennis theme using bright yellow Lycra, tennis ball green and sun-kissed orange polyester. Rochele Gloor took third place with a safety-pin zipper pull for a fun, punk twist. “It actually looks very Gap-like,” says Marc, who questioned the function of each design. “I always question how we’re going to use something. I’m the voice of finance.”

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