elegant_gothDALLAS, Jan 10, 2008 / FW/ — Fashion historians know that ready-to-wear did not exist during medieval times; haute couture did not exist either. Everyone wore clothes and/or armor, including the reigning monarchs. But, 18-year old Tanya Lund begged to disagree with her winning entry in The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition.

The Spokane, Washington teenager won a full-tuition scholarship to study Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Seattle in The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition held recently in New York City. Her winning entry – a medieval-inspired evening gown, titled “Elegantly Goth,” a knee-length gray, wine and white dress with a long train, fitted bodice and brooch.

Other winners named are: Victoria Hughes of Roswell, Georgia (second prize) for her orange and yellow evening gown inspired by Janis Joplin and other bohemian styles; Caitlin Nolan of Hayden Idaho (third place) for her “menswear inspired” tuxedo dress.

In the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Fashion Retail Management category, Renee Topete from San Diego, California won first prize for her “Making a Difference” belt concept, to create belts out of recycled products. Natalia Lagunas of Blue Island, Illinois received the second prize, while Lauren Lawson of Cumming, Georgia took third place.

Both Lund and Topete will attend the Fall 2008 New York season as part of their winning.

Open to high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada, The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition awarded two grand-prize winners full-tuition scholarships to study Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing & Merchandising or Fashion Retail Management at one of 26 Art Institute locations with Fashion programs across North America.

Web site: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/

[MARI DAVIS]