Piecing it together: Julia LeKander wins Western's 2023 New York Fashion Week Competition
Julia LeKander won the grand prize of Western's New York Fashion Week Competition with her zero-waste wrap skirt.
LeKander's design was inspired by growing concerns about fashion fashion and global sustainability in the fashion industry.
The beginner-friendly design uses recycled material that most college students have access to and could make if following the written instructions with visuals.
The skirt LeKander created is inspired by street style and is zero waste. She wanted to avoid a boxy design while utilizing the rectangular bed sheet.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Behind the rhythmic beat of the sewing machine is senior transfer fashion design major Julia LeKander. Following a whirlwind trip to New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in February, she’s exploring new design avenues after exploring the designs on Fifth Avenue.
“As an aspiring designer, I love to draw inspiration from street style,” LeKander said. “What could be better than witnessing it firsthand from the streets of a global fashion epicenter?”
LeKander won the grand prize trip to U of NYFW after presenting her zero-waste wrap skirt 51’s second annual New York Fashion Week Competition. The most dreamy element of the design: It’s made from a twin flat bed sheet. Nothing sleepy about that fresh idea!