Lands' End Partners with Parsons The New School for Design to Host Design Challenge

DODGEVILLE, Wis., March 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of 50 years as an iconic American brand, Lands' End teamed up Parsons The New School for Design during the fall 2013 semester to challenge students to design a new women's collection that contained a sustainable component. Today, Lands' End announces that Benjamin Ayer (of Caribou, ME) and Pan Wang (of Shenzen, China) are the winners of the Lands' End 50^th Anniversary Design Challenge and recipients of a $7,500 scholarship.

The Lands' End 50^th Anniversary Design Challenge invited students to create a fall/winter collection of sustainable lifestyle-based women's apparel through design strategies that fits within the Lands' End brand aesthetic.

"Lands' End is committed to sustainability.  As we strive to innovate with new sustainable materials, techniques and production processes, we are honored to partner with Parsons The New School for Design to challenge and reward their talented students for their creative ideas," says Edgar Huber, Chief Executive Officer and President of Lands' End.

"We focused on bringing modern touches to classic pieces," said Benjamin Ayer. "We know the Lands' End woman loves a contemporary aesthetic with a traditional appeal. We also incorporated a lot of utilitarian details to make sure the pieces are something the wearer can live in."

"My partner and I designed a sustainable collection that's versatile, classic, chic, and most of all has long lasting value," added Pan Wang.

In addition to the winning team, two second-place winners, Rheza Tanudihardjo and Gayatri Jolly, will each receive a $2,500 scholarship. Lastly, two third-place winners, Siyu Chen and Xuan Xuan Li, will each receive a $1,250 scholarship. 

"Working with a brand like Land's End is fantastic for our students," said Simon Collins, dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons. "In helping such a respected name move into a more sustainable future, they're learning how to confront the 21^st Century design challenges that they'll be dealing with for the rest of their careers."

About Lands' End
Lands' End® is a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service, real value and a simple two-word promise to stand behind everything it sells: Guaranteed. Period.®  Lands' End delivers timeless style for Men, Women, Kids and the Home at landsend.com, 1-800-800-5800, the Lands' End Shops at Sears and around the world.  Lands' End is a proud member of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD).

About Parsons The New School for Design
Parsons The New School for Design is one of the leading institutions for art and design education in the world. Based in New York but active around the world, the school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the full spectrum of design disciplines. Critical thinking and collaboration are at the heart of a Parsons education. Parsons graduates are leaders in their respective fields, with a shared commitment to creatively and critically addressing the complexities of life in the 21st century. For more information, please visit www.newschool.edu/parsons.

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SOURCE Lands' End