Iowa State’s future fashion trendsetters gathered Wednesday to display their works of wearable art in Showcase 2000.

“I was going for a definite millennium kind of feel,” said Tiffani Smith, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production, about her purple vinyl corset-top and skirt.

The outfit Smith designed and constructed was one of 30 displayed at Wednesday’s fall showcase. Other exhibits ranged from bridal wear to metal purses and were made out of anything from silk to shower curtains.

“My outfit shows a funk-meets – ’50s-housewife type of attitude,” said Kate Watkins, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production. Watkins’ outfit featured a black vinyl fitted topped with a full, gathered ’50s-style skirt. The skirt was made from black gardening fabric, and the netting that gave the skirt its fullness is actually used on trees and bushes to keep birds away.

Tina Wagner, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production, said it’s an honor to get accepted to display clothing.

“It’s a kind of recognition for all the hard work,” she said. “My inspiration came from a ’40s type of look with sheer fabrics and a shawl.”

The material’s pattern was created using digital printing, a new technology that allows a design to be created and printed from a computer and a special fabric printer. The process is relatively new but offers a lot of potential for future fashion designers, Wagner said.

Showcase 2000 allows these students a chance to display their talents and be evaluated, said Yu-Lien Jya, coordinator of the exhibit.

Undergraduate and graduate students created and submitted designs to the show’s panel of four judges. The judges are representative of all areas of the industry, said Jya, graduate student in textiles and clothing. The judging team includes a design college faculty member, an industry designer, a retail store owner and a store display professional.

This judging was done in an industry-specific way, Jya said. Displays are judged on criteria that applies to the industry, not just to a college display show, she said. Over 50 students majoring in apparel merchandising, design and production submitted their work to be evaluated for the showcase.

However, not all work was displayed. In order to be included, the exhibit must get over 70 percent of the total available points awarded by the judges, Jya said. This year, 30 achieved the 70 percent mark.

First- through third-place awards are given out in six different categories – apparel, wearable art, presentation board, fashion illustration, problem solving and portfolio – the finalists, Jya said.