Aspiring Designer Snags Accolades With CORDURA Naturalle

CORDURA fabric was a fabric of choice for the 10th cycle of the Project Outdoor Retailer (Project OR) design contest held at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2013. Jillian Miranda, a fashion design major with a specialty in technical design at Kent State University, was awarded the 2013 Winter OR runner-up design, selecting CORDURA Naturalle fabric from Huamao mill on the outer shell to complete her women’s ski jacket.

“Since we were making a street-ready backcountry jacket, I needed to find a fabric that was durable, fashionable and breathable,” said Miranda. “When I came across the CORDURA Naturalle fabric with a PTFB membrane I knew I found just what I was looking for. It has enhanced tear and abrasion resistance to endure the outdoor elements. The cotton-like appearance and hand gave it its fashion qualities. Then the membrane is at its highest grade for breathability to keep the skier cool on her hikes up the mountain.”

Miranda, along with five other students from the top design programs across the country, was hand-chosen to compete in Project OR. The goal is to create a piece of outdoor recreational clothing using only pre-selected materials from participating suppliers in under 48 hours. This year’s design brief was to create a Backcountry jacket for a woman that can protect her from all of nature’s elements.

Once garments are complete, a panel of judges in the outdoor industry announces the winner on the last day of the OR Show.