New York, U.S.A. – Fusion Specialties is pleased to announce the Mannequin Design Competition for students. Design students are invited to participate in a contest exploring the world of mannequin design through the eyes of a singular brand. Winning designs will be showcased at 2013 GlobalShop in Chicago and in DDI magazine among other venues. The grand prizewinner will see his or her designs sculpted and manufactured in full size; the winning collection will be displayed in the Fusion booth at GlobalShop 2013 and also highlighted at a jcpenney store in the New York City area. Cash awards will be provided to the top five designs.

Mannequins present an opportunity to connect with the consumer on a deeply emotional level. Mannequins should be aspirational while at the same time reflecting the brand’s fit and look. In this competition, students will be challenged to explore how to meld these criteria into a mannequin collection that is innovative, exciting and reflects the designated brand appropriately.

Fusion Specialties, one of the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of custom mannequins, has designed multiple collections for jcpenney, Nike, Gap, Guess, Disney, Chico’s, and Armani A/X among others. Their approach is to personify a retailer’s brand identity through the design of custom mannequins and this particular design challenge will ask student participants to do the same. Students will be designing for some of the most popular private label brands sold at jcpenney, and will be required to understand the history, demographic and target customer for that brand. All of this must be reflected in the proposed design for the mannequins.

Prizes:

• $2500 in cash to be awarded to the Grand Prize winner along with publication in DDI magazine, actual development and production by Fusion of the winning mannequin design, showcase at 2013 GlobalShop, feature on the Fusion website, and more.
• $1000 in cash to be awarded to 2nd place winner along with designs showcased in DDI magazine, at 2013 GlobalShop, and on the Fusion website.
• $500 in cash to be awarded to the 3rd, 4th and 5th place entries with designs showcased in DDI magazine, at 2013 GlobalShop, and on the Fusion website.

Judges:

Richard Ledbetter, VP, Visual Merchandising, jcpenney. Richard is responsible for heading the unique execution of the merchandise experience in all jcpenney stores. He has led visual merchandising for many world class retailers including Chico’s, Border’s, Victoria’s Secret, Lane Bryant, and Liz Claiborne.

Tom Stempfley, VP, Visual Display, jcpenney. Tom is responsible for ensuring the flawless execution of the in-store jcpenney experience across the company’s 1,100 stores. He has directed visual presentations for many world-class retailers including Victoria’s Secret, Club Monaco, Abercrombie & Fitch and Soma Intimates.

Stacie White, Creative Director, Fusion Specialties, A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Stacie has been with Fusion for 14 years. She directs the design of all mannequins and forms. She works with a team of fine art sculptors, master artists and tooling specialists to bring a client’s vision to fruition. Clients include Nike, Gap, Chico’s, jcpenney, Ann Taylor, Armani A/X and Guess.

Ellen Johnson, VP, Business Development, Fusion Specialties, Ellen has been with Fusion for 4 years and in the visual merchandising industry for more than 15 years. She is passionate about developing and working with Fusion’s many clients, old and new, to understand their needs and help to realize them.

Alison Embrey Medina, Executive Editor, DDI Magazine. Alison Embrey Medina is the executive editor of DDI magazine, a trade publication serving the retail design industry. Through the pages of DDI, she covers and comments on retail store design, visual merchandising, architecture, marketing and branding, from luxury and specialty to discount and dollar stores.

Image Courtesy :  timoni

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At 2 a.m. in most night clubs when the lights come on and the thumping bass music stops, reality sets in.  Why did you stay out so late?  Why did you have that last lemon drop martini?  Most importantly, why, oh why, did you wear your not-yet-broken in 5-inch Camilla Skovgaard heels?  Oh, that’s right, because they’re the sexiest pair of heels you own and they make your legs look amazing.  There’s nothing amazing about this 2 a.m. feeling though.  Your feet need saving, they need comfort.  They need to be five inches closer to the ground.

This is where FLEXXI by FlexFlop steps in as an aching foot savior.  FLEXXI by FlexFlop is a foldable, portable emergency flip flop that fits inside a small, chic pouch.  Now, you can wear those uncomfortable, but stylish stiletto heels to the club and slip into a pair of FLEXXIs for the trip home.  The small, adorable pouch, keeps the flip-flops tucked neatly away in your purse until the time of need.

FLEXXI by FlexFlop is worn by actresses and stars, alike.  Hayden Panettiere, Vanessa Hudgens, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian all own and love FLEXXIs.

This brilliant idea has been adopted by GAP.  The affordable, well-established company is selling “the city flat,” a ballerina style slip-on that is both modern and comfortable.  Like the FLEXXI, the city flat folds in half and comes with a drawstring bag for safe keeping.  This flat is made of soft pliable leather and has an elasticized opening.

FlexFlop also makes travel slippers.  It has the same design idea as the FLEXXI, but is the plush line that has extra soft fabrication.  This product is perfect for vacations because nobody wants to walk around barefoot in a hotel room.  Now you don’t have to.  These travel slippers fold up and fit in a zippered pouch so they fit in virtually any size purse or luggage.

FlexFlop products come in small (5-6.5), medium (7-8.5) and large (9-10.5).  The average price for the flip-flops are $34.95.  While FlexFlop’s website only sells the FLEXXI and travel slippers in sets and in bulk, many other websites and stores will carry the product.  FlexFlop’s website has a very convenient locator of where products are sold, the filling out of a short form is all that is required.

Every girl needs a pair of these emergency flip-flops.  They will save the night by saving your feet.

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