Best Wishes to all For an improved 2011 and thank you for your help in 2011

Together we have been able to make some significant steps forward in 2011.  During this 1st year of the Fashion Moves Design Competition, we had interest from every Continent of the World and over 12 countries.  My trip to take part in the 3^rd Annual Moda Inclusiva (Inclusive Fashion) Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil was a major highlight of the year and many good friends were made during that trip.  I am already planning to take part in an International Disability related conference in Vancouver, B.C. in May and also, hopefully, to attend “Bezgraniz Couture™ INTERNATIONAL FASHION AND ACCESSOIRE AWARD 2012”  in Moscow as well.  Carrying the news of Fashion Moves forward each time.

I have also been able to spread the word about Inclusive Design for clothing, through FaceBook and LinkedIn and have had many, many encouraging conversations.

Let’s continue to work together in 2012 and make this the year that Fashion Moves really steps forward to become strong and raise our voice more actively in the Fashion/Garment Industry. 

2012 will be the year that we see more Models with disabilities on the Fashion Runway’s of the World, wearing garments that are actually purpose designed for their needs.

Together we can make 2012 a year to remember.  Have a safe and comfortable celebration tonight.  Next week we will renew our efforts to creating a new and strong niche in the Global Fashion industry, to celebrate properly engineered and designed and FASHIONABLE clothing for People with disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011

Once again we have oberved the United Nations International Day of Persons with disabilities.  This demographic makes up 15% or more of the overall World population.  It is made up of disabled veterans, people with Spinal Cord injury, who have illnesses like Spina Bifida, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and Post Polio, or traumatic brain injury. 

People who live with these conditions live active lives as world class Paralympic athletes ; business leaders ; politicians ; teachers and involved family members.

Join Fashion Moves in celebration of this day.
- submit garments you have designed
- let us know about events that are taking part in your area of the World that Fashion Moves can be part of
- will you be taking part in or attending a Fashion Show as part of a fund raiser for cancer, Parkinson's, Spinal cord injury, etc.  Contact us and we will provide quality garments designed specifically for the people who will benefit from this fund raiser
- co-author articles with us and get your name and ideas published
- spread the word about this work to product suppliers and clients alike. Show that this is relevant to their lives and ask who they may have in their families and circles, who are ill or have disabilities
- be creative and contact us with suggestions of how you can help us promote this new segment within the Fashion/Garment Industry

Join us and lets rock the Fashion World as we make a difference in the lives of many.
Find us at www.fashionmovescompetition.blogspot.com
Ruth Clark

250-314-1849

Artist in Residence Program (AiR)



 Join me as I welcome Tiffanee Griffiths, our Inaugural Artist in Residence (AiR) and unveil her work, The DANCER. 

Usually a 1 year mentorship, Tiffanee will hold this position for 3 years and assist in developing this program.

A Mentorship Program for Artists with disabilities, we will work with each Artist in a variety of activities.  Included in this will be an AiR special project that will be started during their time with Fashion Moves Inclusive Designs.

Fashion Moves supports and assists Artists as they express themselves through fabric, paint, pen&ink, clay or music!  Please click on the

Artist in Residence (AiR) tab

above to read about this exciting new program and our 1st AiR, Tiffanee Griffiths!

You ARE the SuperModel and Brazil

For news about each day in Brazil, please the 'Brazil!' notes read below for updates.

Sunday is the day my journey to Brazil starts.  Be sure to read my posts and updates on Brazil and their Inclusive Fashion event, as they are added through the next 2 weeks.
                    --------------------------------------

You Are the SuperModel is the latest Women's Lifestyle series on TV and the Internet.  Fashion Moves will be part of it.
In this series the producers will show that everyone is a SuperModel.  Fashion Moves is the Liaison for Inclusive/Adaptive Fashion and with our associates we will bring news and interview to your screen.  (http://www.youarethesupermodel.com/ )
Our first major event is the 3rd Annual Moda Inclusiva being held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sept. 20.  Watch for reports on this in future broadcasts.
Later this Fall we will bring you segments and live interviews from 'Curves in Couture!' which will be held November 17, in London, England and is sponsored by Models of Diversity. (http://www.modelsofdiversity.org/ )

If you know of other events around the world that are showcasing Inclusive Fashion, let us know so we can bring it to everyone.

BRAZIL !!

September 28, 2011
Yesterday we travelled from Ihla Bela, an Island off the coast of Brazil, to Socorro. Through high mountian passes and past dairy farms in the valleys. Wonderful 5 hour journey.
Today and tomorrow we will be busy at the Accessable Tourism Conference. More news, and pictures soon.

September 27, 2011
(Business note.  there is so much news and so many things happening, we will keep registration open for a few more weeks.  For those of you who have already Registered, please wait until I get home for more news.  Thanks)

WOW, What a day.  Last night and tonight we are at the Yacht Club on (the Island of) Ihla Bela.  Four gals in one bedroom, girl guide style and Scott Rains had a room to himself.
Up early and a wonderful breakfast on the patio.  Then we went across the street to the beach where we watched some swimming lessons.  The two adult swimmers ride in a 3 wheel beach chair, right into the water.  Then they can float out of the chair and do exerices in the salt water.  Back into the chair to get back on shore.  Shirley Barber had brought some new crutches to show.  These are made on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.  There are a variety of interchangeable feet, one set is made to go across soft sand.  One of the swimmers (who will not use conventional crutches) tested these across the sand and felt very secure and confident.
We had a lengthy meeting with various government officials, all looking for ways to work together and increase access to beach, recreation and society in general.  As well as speaking about this, some of the clothing I brought down was shown and discussed.  All well received.
In the afternoon we went into town for a wonderful lunch and then around the island to see other facilities that have been made more accessible.  We ended the outing at a wonderful waterfall.  Pictures to come soon.
Back to the Yacht Club and an early night.  Tomorrow we pack our things and move onto Socorro and the conference on accessible tourism and travel. 
More news when I can.  Keep reading and share the news with all.
Ruth

September 24, 2011
The adventure is continuing.  The other night I went with my CouchSurfing hosts Raphael and Ana, to a large open air night market.  There were dozens of stalls that sold every type of fruit, vegetable and meat.  Also a few cooked food stands where we ate fresh BBQ beef, sausage and chicken wings, all washed down with Brazilian beer.
Last night we attended a music CD release party.  There were many Fashion Designers from Fila there and I had a good visit with a number of them.  All were very interested in the work of Fashion Moves and our goals.  I hope to see some of them joining us here as well.
Tomorrow I start the second half of my trip as Scott Rains from California and Shirley Barber from British Columbia meet me here.  I am joining them during their travels in Brazil and will be at the Accessible Tourism conference with them.
More later.
Ruth


September 19, 2011
Hello from beautiful Sao Paulo, Brazil.  I just got in today and am excited about being part of the 3rd Annual Moda Inclusiva tomorrow.  Much thanks to Daniela Auler and her office for inviting me down and sponsoring my trip.
Watch for updated of the event, in the next few days, I will also add pictures if I can teach myself how to do this.

While I am here I will also stay with two local members from CouchSurfing.org.  It is great to know that my first host and his girlfriend will join me tomorrow night at the Event.

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and for following along.  Please remember to spread the word and let others know as well.

Early bed tonight after almost 48 hours of travel, from Kamloops down to SP. 

             ------------------------------
September 17, 2011
Early Sunday morning I hop onto a plane and start my journey to Sao Paulo, Brazil! 
The State of Sao Paulo has held an Inclusive Fashion event for 2 years and Fashion Moves has been invited to attend the 3rd Moda Inclusiva on September 20.  ( http://www.sedpcd.sp.gov.br/modainclusiva/inscricao.php  ) What a thrill this will be, to represent Fashion Moves, and all of you, at this event.
6 days later I will attend an International conference on accessible tourism and travel.  This 3 day conference will have people from around the world attending, including my friends Scott Rains and Shirley Barber from Tour Watch.
As often as possible I will provide you with updates on all the 'doings'.
Happy start of Fall to all of you in the Northern Hemispher, I am going to the start of Spring!
Bye for now.
Ruth

Registration Date Extended

There has been so much happening, here in the Office.  The Fashion Moves Design Competition will be part of the launch of a new organization, in late June.  More news of that soon.  We are also speaking with a variety of other groups and forging new connections for Fashion Moves, for this year and into the future.

An exciting bit of news is that we have been invited to be the Guest Speaker at a variety of events in June 2012 and planning has already begun for these.  What does that mean to you?  This means that a selection of the garments submitted in the 2011/2012 Fashion Moves Garment Design Competition will also be featured in an International Fashion presentation next Summer.  The Designer's name will be well publicized as part of these events!

In addition, an experienced Short Film producer has contacted me about filming the first year of the Fashion Moves Garment Design Competition and producing a documentary style film.  At the moment we have producers in two countries involved (India and Canada) and may seek to add producers in other countries/continents so we can tell the story of Fashion Moves and show many of our contestants.  More news on this as it develops.

The things that are not thought of until someone kindly points them out!  One of our members has kindly pointed out that some Design Schools in the Southern Hemisphere are on study break around this time of year.  With that in mind, and to give more people a chance to join the fun, we are extending the Registration date until September 28, 2011.  This extension will also give us time to organize the cameras and get them rolling. 

Let’s get the word out!  Share links to this blog and information about Fashion Moves to as many on your contact list as possible.  Lets make this 1^st year of the Annual Fashion Moves Garment Design Competition a great one.

Bye for now.
Ruth Clark
fashioncompetition (at) earthlink.net
866-366-8366

Let the Fun begin! Register NOW to join Fashion Moves Competition

Welcome to the Fashion Moves Fashion Design Competition!

Fashion Designers, here is a unique opportunity to learn about an untapped segment of the Industry and make a world of difference.

Fashion Moves has created a Design Competition that aims at creating stylish and easy to wear clothes for active Professionals, Athletes, Parents and Volunteeers, who happen to have disabilities.

This Competition is an open challenge to both Design Students and working Designers to showcase your creative skills.  Amongst other things, winners will have an opportunity to license their designs for the RTW market.

Registrations are free.  Join Now!  Multiple enteries are allowed (One garment per application). 

Join with others from around the World and be part of creating a new movement in the Fashion world.


The Goals:
To create Stylish, functional clothing for People with disabilities, for all the activities they choose to engage in.  This will include:
- At home and Leisure
- Athletic and casual
- Office and Professional
- Semi-Formal / Formal
- Outerwear (winter wear, wet weather wear or sun protection)
- Lingerie

You will design clothing for
- people who are arm or leg amputees
- people who use wheelchairs full time and maintain the seated posture all day
- lateral asymmetry (one side of the body a significantly different size than the other side)
- short limbs due to thalidomide or other birth defects
- Dwarfism
- general weakness, etc. due to M.S. or Fibromyalgia where you must consider the weight of the garment and touch on the skin
- single hand dressing, and many other life conditions

Time Lines:
Registration closes - September 30, 2011
Interim report due - November 30, 2011
Final report and finished garment due - January 20, 2012
All submissions will be made via e-mail, except the finished garment which will be mailed to an address provided at a future date.

Judging and moving forward:
A panel of Judges will review and grade each garment based on a preset list of criteria including but not limited to
- Proof of understanding the issues and reasonability of functional solution
- Clarity of drawings
- Design
- Presentation, etc.

Prizes:
- First Prize for each category - these garments will be made into a paper sewing pattern.  These patterns will be available for sale World Wide.  The Designer's name will be on their pattern and the Designer will receive a payment based upon sales, for as many years as that pattern is purchased
- Second and Third place prizes to be announced.

In addition, a select number of Competition Designs will be chosen each year to be included in travelling Fashion Shows.  These Shows will be held in various Countries around the World, Modelled by groups such as Models of Diversity, Sunshine Project HELP and others.  Designer information will be included with each Fashion Show.  Other demonstration opportunities will be maximized  at the choice of Fashion Moves.

Who can take part:
The Fashion Moves Garment Design Competition has two categories: one for Design Students and one for working Designers.  Students will be required to provide the name of their School and the level of their study. 
To Register and take part in the Fashion Moves Garment Design Competition, send your name, e-mail and phone number to fashioncompetition (at) earthlink.net  We will send a Registration package by return e-mail.

Do you have ideas and suggestions for new Designs but are not a formal Designer?  Get in touch and we will see if we can link you with a Competitor who is interested in working as a team.

Thanks for joining and together we will create new horizons in the Fashion / Garment Industry!
Ruth J Clark
Fashion Moves
fashioncompetition (at) earthlink.net
250-314-1849 (Pacific Time Zone)