Cape of good memories

Belinda T. Orzada, assistant professor of consumer studies, won the Best of Fiber/Wearable Art category for her entry in the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) 1999 design competition. Her winning entry was titled "Southern Living: Country Roads Cape."

The competition was held at ITAA's annual conference in Santa Fe, N.M. Innovative fashions and wearable art were featured in both mounted and live model exhibitions, and more than 100 designs by faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students were on display.

According to Orzada, "Southern Living" reflects memories of the rural south Georgia landscape where she grew up.

"In designing this cape," she says, "my goal was to interpret the agricultural landscape of south Georgia, using fiber as the artistic medium. I seek to express the feeling of driving down a country road surrounded by the elements of Southern culture I remember so fondly, but am distanced from in my suburban life."

Some of the items depicted on the cape are a dirt road, corn, watermelon, pumpkin, cemetery, pond with cypress tree, a barn and tractor.

The hip-length cape with an asymmetrical neckline is embellished with hand and machine embroidery, applique and picture smocking.

Orzada's specialty is apparel design, and her research is related to two- and three-dimensional special visualization for design students in the field.