Chances are you can tell the difference between natural cotton and synthetic fibers. The feeling of the two fabrics is completely different. Natural cotton invokes reminiscing about your favorite over-worn t-shirts and that wishful thinking that your park district issued Men’s XL uniform t-shirt for camp counseling would shrink in the wash. Synthetic fibers remind me of inappropriate and uncomfortable Halloween costume sold at Party City and the sad sale rack of Forever21.
I never thought I’d be able to distinguish one strain of cotton from the other. However, Supima cotton is literally the world’s finest and most dependable cotton. Unlike the dingy deli that claims to have “the world’s best cup of coffee,” Supima lives up to its prestigious title and reputation.
Back after the success of last year’s event, Supima is hosting a competitive fashion show for emerging fashion designers. Contestants were asked to supply their sketchbooks and portfolios along with a garment they’ve designed and sewn to their open call today. Running the gamut from young Parsons expecting graduates to small line designers, candidates presented their designs to a panel of judges which included the vice president of marketing at Supima Buxton Midyette and Glen Hoffs the men’s design director of Brooks Brothers. Selected finalists will design an evening look with 10 yards of supplied Supima cotton for their final fashion show competition in January. Using Supima cotton for evening looks will open up the possibilities of cotton as a more luxurious fabric and not just for t-shirts and sundresses.
Sound like a challenge on Project Runway? Um, because it virtually is except the designers will not be sleep deprived and spend three months living in glorified dorms. While the drama and hardships of working under a deadline will still affect the Supima designers, I’m super excited to see the final fashion show in January at Gotham Hall. Last year’s “Best in Class” award recipient at the show was the team behind the line Form: Jenna Davis, Kelly Andrews, Eric Werner, Jerry Tam and Mignonne Gavigan. StyleCaster has fallen in love with this delicate collection for Spring and I hope it sets the bar for the caliber of designers to come out of this year’s Supima competition.
I could totally host Project Supima Runway… My Midwestern twang would totally be as adorable as Heidi’s German one….
