MSU students have answers for 'Where'd you get that dress?'

Contact: Robbie S. Ward

(Left) MSU student Maegan Bedells with her award-winning dress.      (Right) Another dress in the MSU class project features floral trim made  with newspapers.
(Left) MSU student Maegan Bedells with her award-winning dress. (Right) Another dress in the MSU class project features floral trim made with newspapers.

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Visitors to Phyllis Bell Miller's class in visual design in dress find plenty of recognizable items on display, just not things they might associate with wearing.

This semester, the 45 university students in the Mississippi State course are doing just that. Using the elements and principles of design--color, texture and repetition--and a great deal of individual creativity, they have made clothing and accessories from such everyday objects as football tickets, car seats and coffee cups.

Take for instance the "caffeinated dress" on display near the classroom entrance. Designed by self-described coffee fanatic Maegan Bedells of Clinton, it features a top made with coffee-cup holders, each containing the words "stories are gifts." The skirt is covered with paper filters cut into snowflakes, while the back is decorated with plastic stirrers.

Titiled "Cafe Holiday," Bedells' creation recently won first place in the 2011 Renew Again Visual Design in Dress Design Competition, which was open to all class members.

Asked who might want to wear such a dress, the freshman replied, "Somebody who would want to look high-fashion at a cocktail party." Pausing, she added: "I will probably wear it."

Bedells' entry is among many in Miller's popular course. This year, the associate professor said she included a twist to the project--"repurpose" recycled materials and other objects into clothing.

Miller noted that "repurposed" clothing is a major trend throughout the fashion world, spurred on, in part, by the popular television program "Project Runway."

"They always use a lot of creativity," she observed of a class that predominately includes freshmen and sophomores. "I let them do whatever they want."

Sarah Johnson, a sophomore from Brookhaven, placed eighth in the competition for a vest she calls "Ever Lasting." With the help of a friend back home who reupholsters vehicles, she made it from the gray leather interior of an automobile.

"It was just an old seat that he had," said Johnson, who would like to have her own store and line of clothing at some point after graduation.

Scanning Miller's classroom, a visitor also sees, among others, a dress made from football tickets and a one-shouldered pleated design made from newspapers and garbage bags. As for accessories, there is necklace made from a bicycle chain.

A team of judges selected from campus and the clothing industry helped select the top designs. Joining Jerome Gilbert, MSU provost and executive vice president, interior design program director Beth Miller, and others was Sherry Mulne of Columbus, Ohio. Mulne directs the PiPN internship program of the National Needlearts Association.

A dozen or so of the top designs have been displayed inside the west (or Drill Field) entrance of Mitchell Memorial Library. They soon will rotate among different campus locations.

Beyond fun elements of the class, Miller said the project requires students to apply elements and principles of design instead of guesswork when creating and judging garments and accessories. The learning experience should help them in all areas of the fashion business and throughout their careers, she added.

"These are the tools that can turn someone with raw talent into a great designer or artist," she said. "The elements and principles of design help generate an endless number of creative solutions."

In addition to Bedells and Johnson, 14 other top winners include (by hometown):

BILOXI--Senior Haley Glenn, fifth place.

BRANDON--Junior Chelsey Jordan, honorable mention.

CLINTON--Freshman Mary Clair Cardin, honorable mention.

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn.--Sophomore Sarah Daws, ninth place (tie).

COLUMBUS--Junior Leah Brock, fourth place, and senior Lauren Floyd, 10th place (tie).

EXCELSIOR, Minn.--Sophomore Olivia Cada, ninth place (tie).

GREENWOOD--Freshman Taylor Williams, honorable mention.

RIDGELAND--Junior Kayli Cobb, sixth place.

STARKVILLE--Sophomore Jossett Belant, third place; freshman Kasey Fulgham, second place; junior Britney Miller, honorable mention; and sophomore Bailey Prisock, 10th place (tie).

TUPELO--Senior Casey Wesson, seventh place.

NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Dr. Miller at 662-312-2938 or pbmiller@humansci.msstate.edu.

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.

Thu, 02/24/2011 - 06:00