Two Technical Design students from the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology took home top honors—and prizes—in the Boll & Branch x FIT Ordinary to Extraordinary student design contest. The students were tasked with transforming the company’s luxury bedding—specifically the brand’s signature organic cotton fabrics, which are all ethically sourced and fair trade—into into stunning designs, and Ji Yun Lim took home first prize ($3,000) while Jiaying Xie took home second place ($1,500).
Lim created a silver draped, sculptural minidress, inspired by the concept of capturing draped fabric and the idea of a fleeting moment, while Xie presented a shirred and draped cropped jacket and maxiskirt.
“Participating in the Boll & Branch x FIT contest was a very meaningful experience,” said Lim. “Through this project, I was able to thoughtfully experiment with materials and concepts while also pushing myself to translate my ideas into physical form. It reminded me of why I am passionate about design. Being selected as the winner was truly special—I was grateful that my ideas could be shared with more people, and the experience inspired me to keep growing and experimenting as a designer.”
“Working with Boll & Branch encouraged me to think about design from multiple perspectives—I approached the project by deconstructing bed sheets and pillowcases and then reinterpreting those elements into a garment that reflects the brand while integrating my own design language,” said Xie. “I used shirring techniques to transform the fabric’s surface into something more sculptural and luminous, and applied minimalist patternmaking to reduce fabric waste as much as possible.”
The other participating students were Wajeeha Hassan, Doriean Jackson, and Latecia Lester, all Fashion Design majors from the School of Art and Design. The faculty advisor for the group was Wonki Lee, assistant professor of Technical Design.
“What stood out throughout the contest was not only the creativity of the concepts, but the level of technical rigor and problem-solving each student brought to the process,” said Lee. “It was especially meaningful to collaborate with Boll & Branch. Their openness, generosity with materials, and genuine engagement with the students elevated the experience beyond a typical classroom project.”
The winning designs were selected during a presentation and event on January 27, and were judged by Boll & Branch co-founder Missy Tannen, chief creative officer Kristen Deyko, and vice president of brand marketing Danielle Sih; Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, co-creative directors of Monse (formerly of Oscar de la Renta), were special guest judges. The competition was developed by Boll & Branch to empower the next generation of talent and encourage those who prioritize the company’s shared values of ethics, sustainability and craftsmanship.