Supima Design Competition 2019
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Yoohyeon Kim, Isabel Hajian, Illene Martoseno, Linh La, Buxton Midyette, David Leung, Shuxian Kong, Gina (Zinan) Guo, Ishwari Vijh, Andrew Kwon, and guest attend the 12th Annual Supima Design Competition at Pier 59 Studios on September 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for Supima)

NEW YORK, Sep 6, 2019/ FW/ — Yesterday, at Pier 59 Studios Stage C, Supima celebrated its 12th Anniversary Runway show with the 2019 Design Competition finalists.

Supima Design Competition 2019
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Host Blair Eadie speaks on stage during the 12th Annual Supima Design Competition at Pier 59 Studios on September 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images for Supima)

Linh La from the Academy of Art University, Gina (Zinan) Guo from Drexel University, Illene Martoseno from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Ishwari Vijh from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Shuxian Kong from Kent State University, Andrew Kwon from Parsons School of Design, Isabel Hajian from Rhode Island School of Design and Yoohyeon Kim from Savannah College of Art and Design – all recent graduates from the nation’s leading design schools filled the roster.

Their collective runway show of women’s evening wear were made exclusively with donated Supima cotton fabrics. The winner, selected by a panel of industry judges, will receive a $10,000 check from Supima to kick-start their design career. This year’s host, Blair Eadie.

Panel of judges of include:

  • Aria Darcella – fashion news editor, The Daily Front Row
  • Godfrey Deeny – global editor-in-chief, Fashion Network
  • Avril Graham – executive fashion and beauty editor, Harper’s BAZAAR
  • Jade Frampton – editorial director, ShopBAZAAR
  • Carmen Lilly – closet therapist and wardrobe consultant, Stylistic
  • Laurel Pantin – fashion features director, InStyle.com
  • Celestino Couture – designers Sergio Guadarrama and Kade Johnson
  • Mary Alice Stephenson– style and beauty expert, Glam4Good
  • Faith Cummings – fashion and lifestyle contributor
  • Sharifa Murdock – founding partner, Liberty Fairs
  • Fern Mallis – founder, New York Fashion Week
  • Tyler McCall – editor-in-chief, Fashionista.com

Returning for the fifth year, fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra served as designer mentor to the eight finalists, providing invaluable feedback and insight throughout the process.

Started in 2008, the annual Supima Design Competition was created to give runway exposure to emerging talent and was modeled on the legendary 1954 Wool Secretariat competition that launched the careers of the then-teenaged Yves St. Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.
Since its start, former Supima Design Competition winners have gone on to launch their own labels, show at New York Fashion Week, and secure jobs with top international labels including Michael Kors, Marchesa, Ralph Lauren and Phillip Lim.

Photos courtesy of Supima