Susan Taber Avila, professor of Design, recently participated in the World of Wearable Art competition, held in Wellington, New Zealand. Her “In Bloom” creation was a finalist in the awards competition and was included in all of the 2018 30th anniversary performances for this annual event.

The event is not a traditional fashion show; it is a multi-media extravaganza with music, costumes, choreography, special scenery, video projections, and lighting effects but the whole performance is geared towards showcasing the wearable art which often blurs the lines between fashion/art/costume. Participants from all over the world come to Wellington for the event. Finalists for the stage performance were selected through a three-stage jury process.

“In Bloom” was made from digitally printed silk chiffon which was quilted over industrial felt with a free motion stitching process. The print was of several highly organized flower gardens and Avila’s structure was more organic and disorganized to reflect on the true aspect of nature which is not always easily controlled by humans (even though they love to try and control nature).

“In Bloom” was featured in international media coverage of the event including USA Today.