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:: Fashion
Student Wins Aboriginal Design Award ::
Fashion Design student Stephanie Sarazin has won the
first annual Youth Aboriginal Fashion Design Contest.
At right, designer
Stephanie Sarazin
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Based on the theme "Indian and the City," the contest
challenged designers to combine Aboriginal culture with a
contemporary look in an evening gown that would be
appropriate for a "high society" event. Judging was based on
originality, creativity, expression, presentation, and
overall construction.
Sarazin's gown, inspired by the traditional tepee, took
top spot, earning her a variety of exciting prizes, including
a runway show for the dress at the Canadian Aboriginal
Festival, held at Toronto's Rogers Centre last fall.
 Inspired by the
traditional tepee
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While the dress is simple in concept, it is very intricate in
construction. The shape is supported by a frame of wires and
plastic tubing, which Sarazin had to imagine and complete by
herself, along with all of the sewing and detail work that
went into the piece. She said the experience taught her a lot
of practical things about making clothes.
"I learned about time management, scheduling, selecting
quality materials, working with a pattern, and just how much
effort goes into something like this," Sarazin said. "It was
very stressful. There were times when I wanted to throw the
dress off my balcony, but it was fun and definitely worth it
in the end."
The dress could give the third-year student a major boost as
she pursues her dream of designing for her own boutique and
fashion label after she graduates. With coverage in SAY
Magazine, on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and
on various cultural websites, she feels the contest will
create opportunities in the future.
"I have received a lot of coverage through the contest, which
I hope will help me get my foot in the door with the
industry," Sarazin said. "I'm thinking about creating a
clothing line based on the piece. It has a cultural feel to
it - my work always goes back to culture."
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