Gina DeSilva Wins Tops Honors at Supima Design Competition
After an exhausting search to find the next design-start, with stops at Bloomingdales and other similar outlets–six finalist remained standing. The designers–Gina DeSilva, Heber Sanchez, Robin Tomas, Nadia Ivanova, Sachika ( sisters To-Tam and To-Nya Ton-Nu) and Michael Venker, had the opportunity of a lifetime and when they presented their collection to a packed house at the always fab Times Center. Project Runway, anyone? Like Project Runway the designers had to create a series of looks to demonstrate their design ability.
With so much buzz and fan fare from loved ones and fashionistas alike, the presentation attracted an insane amount of people. INSANE! They were so many guests– six hundred in fact–that a makeshift area was quickly created with big projection screens to view the show, to deal with the overflow. All of whom were waiting anxiously awaiting for runway to begin and of course see the clothes.
Host Katrina Szish, a style maven and former Instyle correspondent started the show with a special presentation on Supima. She then introduced Candice Huffine and Marquita Pring who announced @Supima twitter campaign to help the people of Haiti. And, special guest supermodel Coca Rocha (who would make me feel bad about myself but I have a strong ego–whew) was on hand to announce the winners; who were judged by Teri Agins, Simon Collins, Chris Frye, Horacio Silva and Buxton Midyette.
Gina DeSilva, a New York City designer, won the “Best in Show” for her gorgeous softly tiered gown though the crowd (based on thunderous applause disagreed); while Robin Tomas, a New York City based designer, won “Best T Shirt” and will have his shirt sold at Bloomingdales.
