FIT Student's Winning Design in Bicycling Fashion Competition
Announced by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Inc. Chairman Renaud
Dutreil, NYC First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris, Iconic Designer
Donna Karan, Celebrity Designer for DKNY Jeans Hilary Duff and
Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard
The winning designs in the “Bike in Style Challenge” were unveiled today.
As part of its longstanding commitment to the environment, LVMH Moët
Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury goods company, today
announced the winners of the “Bike in Style” Challenge. The Challenge
asked student designers from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
to create stylish, practical and affordable bike clothing and gear in
support of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s bicycling promotion initiatives.
Expanding the City’s bicycling infrastructure to facilitate commuting by
bicycle is part of the Mayor’s PlaNYC sustainability agenda, to create a
greener, greater New York City. LVMH Inc. Chairman Renaud Dutreil
proposed to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, the City’s
Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Fashion Institute of
Technology (FIT) the creation of the “Bike in Style Challenge” earlier
this year.
The Challenge winner was announced at an award ceremony held at the LVMH
Tower in New York City. The judges included: Renaud Dutreil of LVMH;
First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris; Commissioner of NYC’s DOT Janette
Sadik-Khan; the iconic American designer Donna Karan; Celebrity Designer
for DKNY Jeans Hilary Duff; Andy Darrell of the Environmental Defense
Fund; and Dr. Valerie Steele of The Museum at FIT.
Oscar-winning French actress, environmental activist and face of the new
Lady Dior advertising campaign, Marion Cotillard, made a special
appearance to show her support for the project.
FIT students participating in the Challenge were charged with designing
a set of biking essentials: a poncho, a jacket and a travel bag for both
men and women. Jessica Velasquez was awarded $5,000 for her designs,
which won first place. Jane Carlton was awarded $3,000. Stephanie Murphy
was awarded $2,000.
Prototypes of Jessica Velasquez's designs will be unveiled this summer,
in conjunction with the return of the City’s popular “Summer Streets,”
of which LVMH is a main sponsor. Debuted last year, Summer Streets
closes a 6.9-mile route from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park to cars
for people to run, bike, walk and take part in activities on three
Saturday mornings in August. A photo of Jessica Velasquez's designs
accompanies this press release.
Renaud Dutreil, Chairman of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Inc., said,
“LVMH congratulates Jessica Velasquez for winning this Challenge and all
of the other FIT students who submitted such extremely creative designs.
It was difficult to choose one winner among them. We were delighted to
work with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, the DOT and FIT on
this project. The Mayor’s Office and DOT have made exceptional strides
in promoting bicycling in New York City. LVMH is proud to join them in
this effort and is committed to promoting style, an eco-friendly
attitude and a better quality of life for all New Yorkers.”
Mr. Dutreil added, “LVMH’s support of this Challenge and Summer Streets
reflects our Group’s dedication both to environmental protection as well
as our fervent support of young design talent. LVMH has long supported
groundbreaking initiatives in these areas in France and we are delighted
to now be an active part of these important initiatives in the U.S.,
with Bike in Style marking the beginning of our efforts.” (See attached
Fact Sheet on LVMH’s environmental initiatives and support of new
talent.)
The Challenge is supported by a grant from LVMH to the Mayor’s Fund to
Advance New York City. The DKNY division of LVMH-owned Donna Karan
International (DKI) executed the Challenge with FIT, and DKNY worked
closely with the students to provide creative direction as they
competed. DKNY is also developing the prototypes of the winning designs.
Ms.
