PARIS — Cotton was in bloom despite a heavy downpour Thursday night when U.S. Ambassador Denise Campbell Bauer hosted a cocktail reception to celebrate emerging designers and their work with American-grown Supima fiber.
Guests were welcomed into the gilded halls of the official Hôtel de Pontalba residence to see the fashion showcase of the seventh annual Supima Design Lab.
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The exhibition showcased the works of recent design graduates who were finalists of the Supima Design Competition in the USA, the finalists of the 39th International Fashion, Photography and Accessories Festival – Hyères and the works of rising talents.
On the residence’s grand, spiral staircase, Campbell Bauer recalled visiting cotton farms, including those of his great-grandparents, during his childhood in California.
“This industry is very close to my heart and it is something that I am very, very aware of the hard work that goes into farming, especially as we face the challenges of climate change,” he said.
He emphasized the strategic importance of Supima, an organization dedicated to supporting the worldwide use of American-grown Pima cotton, and its work with young designers to promote the US-grown fiber, which accounts for less than 1 percent of global cotton production.
“[Supima] “We are committed to U.S. efforts to modernize and expand data-driven sustainability,” he said. Supima’s work with small farms can support sustainability and traceability.
“Designers will have access to information on social and economic responsibility that will contribute to the advancement of the global fashion industry, from farmers to fashion designers,” he said. “Everyone who participates helps their industry thrive in the pursuit of sustainable artistic creations.”
She wore a bright royal blue gown with swirling shoulders and a hint of bodice sparkle from designer Bibhu Mohapatra, who was also present during the reception.
Marc Lewkowitz, Supima president and chief executive officer, discussed its work with the OECD to help the apparel industry move away from petroleum-based synthetics and its focus on promoting the use of natural fibers in fashion.
“We have the opportunity to make a big impact by using all natural fibers – cotton, linen, silk – and highlighting the quality and benefits of biodegradable, long-lasting, durable, comfortable, breathable fibres,” he said. . “These are things that are often overlooked in fashion collections, and that’s what we’ve been able to work on for a number of years now, working with our designers in New York and working with our European designers, to really come up with an understanding of what fashion collections are possible.”
He added that the collections on display share the “care and thoughtfulness” of each designer.
Buxton Midyette, Supima’s vice president of marketing and promotions, highlighted the group’s partnerships to support and promote the next generation of young creators.
“These partnerships are very valuable to us,” he said. “What we’re trying to do here is capture a snapshot of the designers we think represent the future of fashion at all different stages.”
Guests walked through several rooms visible on circular screens.
Charles de Vilmorin took a photo next to his design on the dancers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. His work is part of an ongoing partnership with Supima. She chose the fabric for the project because she knew how it would perform.
“It’s quite pure and you can really work with the fabric and create something unique and new. There are so many different references within cotton and you can really experiment with each one and create something special in every quality,” de Vilmorin said.
Various incarnations of Supima cotton included twill, denim, jersey and corduroy, as seen in the eclectic array of designs displayed in the gilded halls.
De Vilmorin continued: “An event like this is proof that a cotton brand should help and work with young designers, because we are all here for Supima.”
“There are 14 different designs on different pieces and all the designs are very different, but they are all Supima and this is a very rich and very, very high figure for a brand like Supima. “This is pretty unique.”
The designer will exhibit at Hong Kong Fashion Design Week in November, then return to Paris for couture week in January. It is also working on new collaborations in China that will be announced soon.
Photographer Bianca Saunders took out a retro digital camera from her bag to take photos showcasing her design. The crisp white denim suit was based on the uniforms of workers at a Jamaican resort in the 1940s. Curvy seams added volume to the trousers, while rounded shoulders and folds on the collar gave them a loose structure.
Other prominent designers and rising talents on the Paris scene included Niccolò Pasqualetti, as well as Igor Dieryck, Torishéju Dumi, Victor Weinsanto and Vincent Pressiat, who mingled with the guests.
Supima partners with design schools across the United States for its annual design competition. This year, Emma Joan Foley of The New School’s Parsons School of Design was the winner with a pink cocoon creation on display, while Henry Hawk of the Rhode Island School of Design showed off how he created subtle indigo shading in his multi-pocketed creation.
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