Students to compete in Design Wars at The Westchester

Wednesday October 3, 2012 5:00 PM By Brandhyze Stanley

Photo credit: Faye Murman | Phyllis Fein, curriculum chairwoman for Westchester Community College, discusses student Olivia Yee's creation for the upcoming fashion show competition at The Westchester. Students from Westchester Community College in Valhalla were invited to compete in Design Wars, which will showcase couture looks on the runway made from retailer shopping bags from select stores at The Westchester. (Oct. 1, 2012)

If you’re a fan of “Project Runway,” “Fashion Star” or other similar reality TV competitions, you won’t want to miss the Design Wars event this weekend at The Westchester mall in White Plains.

During Design Wars, 10 students from Westchester Community College and Westchester Fashion Academy for Children, design couture dresses that members of the Junior League of Central Westchester will model on the runway. But there’s a catch. The looks will be made from shopping bags (yes, shopping bags) from participating retailers including Juicy Couture, Cache and Anthropologie.

The students, the youngest being only 10 years old, have had four weeks to put their look together. In addition to 50 bags, they were also given $25 for extra materials and supplies. After the Junior League members rock the runway, the designers will be judged in the areas of design creativity, use of materials, fit and workmanship, and overall look. In addition to bragging rights, the winner from each school will receive a $300 American Express Simon Gift Card; the runners-up will receive $100 gift cards.

Paula Kelliher, the area director of mall marketing for The Westchester, got a sneak peek at the looks.

“Once you see what they are doing, you are just blown away,” she said.

The Design Wars event will take place at noon on Saturday, Oct. 6 at The Westchester (125 Westchester Ave., White Plains; 914-421-1333; www.simon.com/mall/?id=105). It’s part of the two-day Simon Fashion Now event presented by Greenwich Hospital.

Photo: Phyllis Fein, curriculum chairwoman for Westchester Community College, discusses student Olivia Yee's creation for the upcoming Design Wars competition.

Tags: White Plains , shopping , events , The Westchester