AMES, Iowa – One hundred forty-nine youth from 73 counties participated in the 2022 Awardrobe Clothing Event held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 11. This event provides 4-H members in grades 9-12 the opportunity to showcase their apparel design and production knowledge, as well as creative skills. As a part of the showcasing experience, youth complete a comprehensive report and participate in conference judging. The event concludes with a runway show for all participants.
Marli Backhaus, Gabrielle Kustes, Sasha McCoy and Mallory Mulligan served on the youth leadership team for the event. This spring the four were named state clothing project area award winners, an award opportunity offered through State 4-H Recognition Day. They worked throughout the summer to plan the runway show theme, workshops, music, decorations and program.
Bonnie Dalager, 4-H youth program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has been organizing the event for the past six years. “Our planning team and volunteers focus on creating a positive experience for meaningful recognition for our youth participants. This event offers our members an opportunity to showcase their project area knowledge, learn clothing-related skills, and network with others from around the state who share their interests,” Dalager said.
Workshops this year featured hands-on opportunities in fabric and textile topics.
The event has three categories: clothing selection – participants select or purchase an outfit for a specific occasion; fashion revue – the garment is constructed, hand-knitted, machine-knitted, or crocheted by the participant; and the $15 challenge – the participant purchases an outfit for $15 or less from garage sales, consignment shops or clothing resale stores.
“For the Awardrobe Clothing Event, 4-H members are evaluated on their verbal and written communication skills, project goals, choice of clothing, record keeping on costs, and knowledge of their garments,” said Dalager.
State fair participants are nominated for the Awardrobe Clothing Event within their county 4-H program.
Top five class awards
The following youth earned top five class awards in the state fair Awardrobe Clothing Event.
Top Five Fashion Revue
- Isabel Jepsen, Crawford County.
- Annie Gulick, Delaware County.
- Kendra Van Regenmorter, Lyon County.
- Justine Weir, Polk County.
- Sydnee Lindeman, Worth County.
Top Five $15 Challenge
- Erin Barnes, Boone County.
- Taylor Garman, Washington County.
- Talise Plate, Wapello County.
- Ashley Rosener, Monona County.
- Kaya Knipper, Delaware County.
Top Five Clothing Selection
- Emma Alstott, Webster County.
- Lane Longhorn, Boone County.
- Matthew Mikles, Polk County.
- Jadyn Beland, Worth County.
- Lindsay Grau, Dickinson County.
Specialty awards
The following youth received specialty awards from sponsors. The Central Iowa Sewing Guild sponsors an award for excellence in the fashion revue (constructed garment) class. ISU On Trend Magazine and founding adviser Ann Thye sponsor an award for the projects that reflect current fashion trends.
- Central Iowa Chapter American Sewing Guild: Justine Weir, Polk County; Sydnee Lindeman, Worth County.
- On Trend Award: Kadence Boender, Lyon County.
- Scholarship Winner: Sasha McCoy, Warren County, earned special recognition for ranking in the top of Awardrobe Clothing Event participants and expressing an interest in furthering her education in the apparel, merchandising and design, event management or hospitality management programs. The Iowa State University Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management sponsored the $500 scholarship award.
Photo caption: Fashion Revue award winners in the 2022 Awardrobe Clothing Event held at the Iowa State Fair.