Fashion Student's Design Featured in National Show

When Buffalo State junior Anna Dusza learned of a design contest for Cotton Incorporated’s upcoming 24-Hour Runway Show, she thought she would give it a shot. The challenge was to design and construct a back-to-school outfit made almost entirely of cotton. Up until then, the apparel design major in the Fashion and Textile Technology (FTT) Department had made only three outfits. This effort, which she said she completed through trial and error, was a knockout.

Dusza’s emerged as one of 10 grand-prize winners nationwide.

"I definitely feel like I have a point of view in my designs," said Dusza, who was encouraged by FTT lecturer Mary Beth DiPaola to enter the contest. "I also used a hat in my design and that added something different. I took my own personal style and ran with it."

Along with a $200 award, Dusza will get to see her outfit join those of approximately 100 established designers in the 24-Hour Runway Show, which runs nonstop from 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8, in Miami, Florida. People Magazine is one of the sponsors of the show that will be live streamed through thefabricofourlives.com, people.com, instyle.com, Entertainment Weekly's ew.com, essence.com, southernliving.com, and realsimple.com.

Dusza said she’s very excited about the all-expense-paid trip to Miami and the chance to see her design on one of the runway models.

"It's extraordinary that one of our students is participating in this national show that will have big players in the fashion world watching," said Lynn Boorady, associate professor and FTT chair. "Her design shows ingenuity and flair that obviously wowed the judges."

Cotton Inc., funded by U.S. cotton producers and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, conducts worldwide research and promotion activities to increase the demand for and profitability of cotton.