FIDM Student Wins at OR With O-Wool
Using O-Wool, a washable wool fabric, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising student Curt Sousa landed the “People’s Choice” award at “Project OR,” a design competition held at the recent Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City.
Sousa, who recently graduated from FIDM, used O-Wool to make the leggings for his look. The designer also holds a degree in biology from the University of New England in Biddenford, Maine.
“I was excited to blend my background in both fashion and environmental responsibility into a garment perfect for the outdoor-apparel market,” Sousa said.
O-Wool, made by the Vermont Organic Fiber Co., is a washable Merino wool made with wool grown and certified to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic standard. The fiber is available in three weights and is made using a process that prevents the fabric from shrinking or felting during washing. In addition, the process uses hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine and uses one-third less water than traditional chlorine-based methods, according to the company.
This was the second season for “Project OR,” a “Project Runway”–style competition between design students from FIDM, California College of the Arts, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Savannah College of Art and Design and Colorado State University. The students were challenged to create a prototype garment that is “original, [shows] an innovative use of performance and eco-friendly materials, and has a practical application for the outdoor market.” During the trade show, the students conceived and created their prototype garment using materials provided by 15 suppliers, including 3M, Cordura, Coville, ITW Nexus, JRC Reflex, Lenzing, Nuuml;wa Textiles, Outlast, Polartec, PrimaLoft, Schoeller Textil AG, Britannia Mills, Sympatex Technologies, United Knitting, Vermont Organic Fiber Co. and YKK. A team of seven judges, including outdoor-industry and fashion professionals, selected Colorado State’s Ron Rod as this season’s winner. —Alison A. Nieder
