The third annual Fashion Packed Challenge at O’Hare International Airport took a different turn this year. Six fashion design students were tasked to shed a runway-style look in favor of creating a traveler’s wearable garment.

 

As always, the design would incorporate recycled materials from participating airlines and an “inspiration item” by an O’Hare retailer.

This popular competition — a partnership between the Chicago Department of Aviation, O’Hare shops and airlines, and Columbia College Chicago — kicked-off on Sept. 12, 2019 at O’Hare, when the six participating students had six seconds each to envision their creation, choose an inspiration item, and grab recycled materials from bins and tables. 

 

Returning to the Columbia College downtown Chicago campus, students had only two weeks to make their fashion statement. Professional mentors from The Apparel Industry Board and The Fashion Group International Chicago offered tips as they built, deconstructed, and amended their designs.

 

Finished garments returned to O’Hare for a one-week display in the four terminals, and the public was invited to vote for their favorite.

Final judging took place at O’Hare on Oct. 26. Each student gave a three-minute presentation explaining their selected inspiration item and material, design process, and how they coped with the strenuous deadline.

 

The judges listened attentively to the students and asked questions. They were Richard E. Butler, first deputy commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation; Ambar Campos, executive director of the Apparel Industry Fashion Board in Chicago; Jenny Applegate, a personal stylist and image consultant, owner of The Leading Image, and board member of The Fashion Group International Chicago; and Pat Szpekowski, APR, president of PR Strategies and Communications, Inc.

 

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