Amid the bustle of construction, traffic, and curious passersby, five FIT Fashion Design student finalists competed to serve up inspired looks. Sponsored by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), a partner of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, the competition challenged students to design wearable gowns inspired by tennis, its iconic neon ball, and the brands of both IHG and the U.S. Open. The finalists’ creations were displayed in the lobby of The Museum at FIT August 4–12.
On August 6, Fashion Design AAS student Natasha Kazmouz was announced as the winner with her gown “Dreams Come True.” Her design will be featured at the U.S. Open, and on September 5, she will attend the event and take over the U.S. Open’s social media account. For more on this competition, we will be following Kazmouz on the FIT Instagram account.
Below, read more about the five finalists and the inspiration for their creations.
First Place: Natasha Kazmouz, Fashion Design AAS, fourth semester
“This floor-length evening gown is inspired by netting and movement of tennis balls. The bodice features draped cowls sandwiched between beaded tennis racket and ball patches at the shoulders. The skirt is composed of rows of beaded fabric ‘rackets’ spotted with tennis balls. The headpiece was inspired by sweat bands and its dangling crystals represent beads of sweat.”
Second Place: Tiah Davison, Fashion Design BFA, sixth semester
“I wanted to design a dress that felt like you were wearing a piece of the tennis court and taking it with you. The bodice mimics the blue-coated tennis courts and I added white panels to act as the service lines. The nets are presented as the sleeves with tennis balls flying over them. Finally, the skirt made of braided cords, tennis balls, and tennis felt is a nod to the Williams sisters and the beaded hairstyles they wore on the court early on in their career. I used to wear my own hair in a similar way and I wanted to include an element that felt personal to me as well.
“I also thought it was important to reference that style as there tends to be a lot of discourse around hair in sports, but I find it so empowering to see a beautiful piece of culture with protective styles being represented on the court. The skirt has a lot of movement with the individual braids as a way to act just like hair would when you swing it around.”
Third Place: Brianna Beidler, Fashion Design AAS, fourth semester
“This look is inspired by the tennis legends that have experienced a true ‘rags-to-riches story’ and exemplifies how the hard work and grit of these athletes is something we all aspire to. Inspired by the sport materials themselves, it includes a black netting and tennis ball felt material. The white cotton fabric, similar to bedsheets, represents the IHG hotel brand. Featured on the back of the scarf are the winners of the U.S. Open singles tournaments who have etched their name into tennis history.”
Fourth Place: Tyler Mervin, Fashion Design, FIT in Milan, sixth semester
“My garment is titled ‘Painting the Line’ after the tennis term, which I felt well represented the clean lines and shapes created by the dress and the silhouette-driven seaming. My original inspiration for this project came from iconic fashion moments in women’s tennis, especially those brought about by trailblazing women of color. I wanted to highlight the creativity of the Williams sisters and Naomi Osaka, who have throughout the years made bold statements with their on-court outfits.
“This dress in particular drew inspiration from Naomi Osaka’s 2024 U.S. Open white-and-green outfit. I was especially drawn to the color story and how the green bow popped on her white jacket. The dress is a column-style halter dress constructed using two different polyester gabardines and seamed with piping to highlight and exaggerate the silhouette of the body. The dress also features a wrap element curving around the hip that is filled with tennis balls meant to emulate how players tuck extra balls into their pockets while they play so they are always ready for the next serve. Tennis balls and felt are integrated within these ‘pockets’ to create a functional yet sculptural detail that brings structure and purpose to the design.”
Fifth Place: Manya Sharma, Fashion Design AAS, fourth semester
“’Courtside Reverie’ is my take on the calm intensity of a tennis match; the pause before the action. I used bright yellow tennis ball felt for the top to reflect that energy, paired with a pleated polyester-blend skirt, inspired by the structure and movement of classic tennis uniforms. Something I really wanted to integrate in my design was an oversized tennis racket that wraps around the waist and flows into the skirt, symbolizing rhythm and control.
“Soft green grass elements and beads form ‘IHG,’ is a representation of how I see IHG Hotels and Resorts as a brand that is dedicated to offer luxury, comfort, and a true sense of escape. This piece is my attempt to bring together the worlds of sport, fashion, and the feeling of being completely present in a moment of effortless elegance.”