Gerber Technology Brings Students' Design Dreams to Life

TOLLAND, Conn., Oct. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Students at seven colleges in the United States were presented with an interesting challenge – and an opportunity to participate in a runway style show, compliments of Gerber Technology, the world leader in integrated software and automation solutions for the apparel and industrial markets.

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The challenge was to create a modern-day fashion design using the inspiration of vintage clothing from The Darnell Collection. Dresses were selected to represent the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s styles, and students were asked to conceptualize, design and create updated versions of these styles. Sketches, photos and the physical garments arrived at Gerber in September for judging, which is based on creativity, marketability and presentation of the dress, and use and continuity of the inspiration piece.

Five winning pieces (one representing each decade) will be presented at a runway show at ideation2015, the premier software conference for the fashion, apparel, accessories and footwear industries that will take place October 29-30 in Las Vegas.

The Darnell Collection is one of the largest private fashion collections of its type in existence today, containing over 8,000 pieces from 32 different countries. The Collection includes garments from many of the leading designers in fashion history. "Our mission is to preserve, develop and enhance the collection's ability to educate, interpret and inspire existing and new audiences for the better understanding and appreciation of the art of fashion," said Charlotte Smith, owner of the Collection.

"We have been so excited by the pieces we've been receiving," said Mary McFadden of Gerber. "The designs have really stayed true to the Darnell Collection inspiration pieces. But each shows the creativity and vision of its creator, and the talent of our design students today."

Participating colleges include:

• The fashion program of The Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Ga., represented by students Walter Dixon, LaDaesha Elliott and Bayan Sardari
• The apparel design program from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., represented by students Kara Raineye, Meghan Wallace and Lizzy Schrantz
• The fashion design and fashion management programs of University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, represented by students Patric Martinez, Natalia Henrichs and Alex Charles
• The clothing and textiles program of Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, Calif., represented by student Amorita Mickes
• The fashion design program at the Art Institute of California, Inland Empire, San Bernardino, Calif., represented by students Brittney Castillo, Rosie Neal, Alena Sablan, Sarah Rodriguez, Mildred Aroche and Margaret Marie Gallagher
• The fashion design program at El Centro College, Dallas, represented by students Natalia Gilca, Hyoung Lee, Mardece Edwards, Grace Beraki, Karen Salazar, Aya Pitcovski, Kenneth Espinosa, Lin Savatdy and Lyka Castaneda
• The apparel design and manufacturing program at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, represented by students Yuri Mendoza, Whitney White, Brianna Moloney and Donny Guerra

"The Gerber ideation2015 design competition gave our students the opportunity to participate in a well conceived design challenge," said Brenda Carlson, fashion design coordinator with El Centro College. "Students learned about Charlotte Smith's vintage Darnell Collection, then researched, sketched ideas, created muslins and ultimately constructed their designs. Gerber's attention to detail set a high standard for our students' garments. The entire process reflected the real world demands of the fashion industry."

"Students have truly embraced today's technology in the design and production of their garments," said McFadden. "They have been very quick to incorporate AccuMark® into their design work, and see the value it brings in speeding time to market. They're gaining skills through this competition that will benefit them throughout their lives."

"I am really looking forward to seeing the finished, winning garments. What a great experience being a judge has been!" said The Darnell Collection's Charlotte Smith.

The fashion show will be followed by a presentation of the 3D-printed, five-piece fashion collection of designer Danit Peleg. In addition, Emmy-winning co-host and mentor for Lifetime's Project Runway, Tim Gunn, is the conference's keynote. ideation2015 also offers hands-on workshops, demonstrations, case studies and networking opportunities.

With the theme, "Everything has changed. But one thing hasn't," ideation2015 will highlight the technology and new developments that have dramatically changed the fashion industry. For more information or to register for the conference, which is October 29 and 30 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, visit www.gerbertechnology.com/ideation/.

About Gerber Technology: Gerber Technology delivers industry-leading software and automation solutions that help apparel and industrial customers improve their manufacturing and design processes and more effectively manage and connect the supply chain, from product development and production to retail and the end customer. Gerber serves 17,000 customers in 130 countries, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies, in the aerospace, apparel, fashion, composites, packaging, furniture, technical textiles and transportation interiors industries. The company develops and manufactures its products from various locations in the United States and Canada and has additional manufacturing capabilities in China.

Based in Connecticut in the USA, Gerber Technology is owned by Vector Capital, a San Francisco-based, global private equity firm specializing in the technology sector and managing more than $2 billion of equity capital. Visit www.gerbertechnology.com for more information.

SOURCE Gerber Technology

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