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Janna Coumoundouros Finalist in DIA Samurai Design Competition

Samurai dress

Janna Coumoundouros (BFA 98) is one of 10 local designers chosen by the DIA and Detroit Garment Group to participate in Beyond The Armor, a fashion competition inspired by the museum’s exhibition Samurai: Beyond The Sword. The competition challenges designers to create a complete outfit based on artworks in the exhibition. When her design was selected as a finalist, Janna contacted Inteva. Inteather™ is perfect for this project,” she said, it’s formable and it’s creative to work with.” She used Inteather (TPO) as the primary material for her design, and accented it with her handmade jewelry and textiles. The finished design has a real sculptural quality,” she said. Inteva provided Janna the material, as well as technical support and access to the Inteva Sewing Lab in Troy, Mich., for fabrication of her creation for the competition.

The outfits by all 10 designers will be displayed April 21 — May 12 at various sites throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. The public will determine the winner by voting for their favorite outfit at any of the venues, or online beginning April 21. The 10 finalists’ creations will be modeled at a fashion show at the DIA on Saturday, May 17, where the winner of the public voting will be announced.

How to Vote

To vote for Janna’s Inteva Inteather Samurai dress, beginning Monday, April 21, go to http://​www​.detroit​gar​ment​group​.org and vote for Janna Coumoundouros of Lilacpop Studio, or send an email to detroitgarmentgroup@​gmail.​com with Samurai” in the subject line, and vote for #2: Janna Coumoundouros. 
Online voting is open April 21 through May 12.

Inteva Inteather™ Inspires Samurai Dress in Beyond the Armor’ Design Competition