The University of Wisconsin-Stout announced on April 16 the winners of its annual Fashion Without Fabric event, held before a sold-out audience on April 11. The theme for this year’s show was “Years in the Making,” honoring generations of international designers and aligning with the university’s Year of Design.
The event highlights the creativity and skills of students in UW-Stout’s School of Art & Design, providing them an opportunity to showcase sculptural costumes inspired by notable figures from various design fields. More than 250 students participated, creating a total of 79 designs that drew inspiration from fashion houses such as Versace and Gucci, artists like Michelangelo and da Vinci, luxury automobile brands Porsche and Ferrari, as well as influential designers in technology, architecture, animation, and more.
The Hoeft Builders Endowed Scholarship was awarded to the team behind “Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind,” designed by Dani Binzcak, Cole Kothbauer, and Zoe Watanabe. Each member will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The piece was inspired by video game designer Brenda Laurel and featured elements reminiscent of vintage technology and space themes. Emcee Ainsley Violet said during the show: “Immerse yourself in reality, immerse yourself in fantasy, immerse yourself in technology… For technology can never erase the humanity of the creator but it is up to man to protect the humanity of the user.”
First place at the runway event went to “A Fragile Wonder,” created by Elliott Clark, Quinlan Hartung, and Kyra Oertel. Their design paid tribute to Hungarian industrial designer Eva Zeisel through a costume mimicking delicate ceramics. Violet described it for attendees: “You walk into the kitchen one morning to find all your ceramics gone… melded into a whimsical little creature which is now parading around without a single care in the world.” Second place was awarded to “Metropolitan Muse,” inspired by Massimo Vignelli; third place went to “The Triadic Ballet,” based on Oskar Schlemmer’s work.
Additional honorary awards recognized artistry and craft (“The Living Room”), innovative use of material (“Tiered Fragments of Wonder”), accessories (“The Orbit Inn Motel”), avant garde fashion (“Beloved Buttons and Pleats Please”), crowd engagement (“Dizzy Dolly”), and an honorable mention for “Court Jester of the Cosmos.”
Several other events are scheduled as part of UW-Stout’s Spring Showcase series between May 2–10—including fashion shows featuring senior collections; Research Day; Stout Game Expo; Senior Show; Unspooled Film & Animation Festival—and Murals in Menomonie later in June featuring international mural artists.
