National Fur Design Competition 2021 Winners
Canadian Fur Atelier – Atelier de Fourrure Canadien
IMAGINING THE “FUTURE HERITAGE” OF FUR FOR AN ECO-CONSCIOUS AGE
(Toronto, ON, February 18, 2021): Celebrating a new vision of fur for an eco-conscious age, the Canadian Fur Atelier (CFA) has announced the winners of the first National Fur Design Competition. Aspiring fashion design talents were asked to conceive innovative fashion looks that project “the future heritage of fur”. The competition was coordinated by the Fur Council of Canada (FCC), in cooperation with leading Canadian fur associations, including the Fur Institute of Canada and the Seals and Sealing Network.
“The Fur Design Competition encourages young designers to develop innovative ways to explore the versatility and sustainability of this unique, natural material.” Melanie Calandra, Project Manager with the FCC.
“We have a new, socially and environmentally aware generation that has a much more holistic understanding of fur: from upcycling natural materials, to sustaining communities and cultures, to vintage fur and ethical sourcing.” Designer / Creative Director Farley Chatto
Four influential judges selected 12 top students from entries received from across the country. The judges included international model and spokesperson Stacey McKenzie, celebrity stylist Shea Hurley, and Indigenous designers Sage Paul and D’Arcy Moses.
The 12 winning students are:
Erica Joan Lugt – Aurora College
Austin Bergeron – George Brown College
Etienne Levi – Cégep Marie-Victorin
Hannah Walkes – Olds College
Prudence Mekonge-Ekwele – Ryerson University
Vishali Sitharthan – George Brown College
Yassine Touati – Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC (Montréal)
Chelsey Jussaume – Cégep Marie-Victorin
Olivia Chislett – Seneca College
Vincent Domingo – Seneca College
Raven A. Scott – George Brown College
Carson Feng – George Brown College
The 12 winning students will receive travel, accommodations, and a week-long intensive fur design workshop at Toronto’s Ryerson University, where they will explore a range of new techniques for working with fur, one of the most versatile and sustainably produced natural clothing materials. Fur Harvesters Auction and a member of the Canada Mink Breeders Association generously donated the furs for this workshop.
The Fur Council of Canada is a national, non-profit association, with members representing all sectors of the Canadian fur trade.
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SEE ALSO: National Fur Design Competition objectives, requirements and key resources for entrants.