Amanda Jane Givens, a student in our Lingerie course, was not only selected to participate in the final stage of the THE LINK competition—held last November in Cannes as part of the ‘MarediModa’ ‘IntimodiModa’ exhibition, an international trade show dedicated to beachwear and lingerie fabrics—but she was also awarded second prize.

THE LINK is a competition aimed at the 100 most prestigious European fashion design schools, whose finalists were selected during Milano Unica by a distinguished technical jury.

Here is a brief interview with AMANDA JANE GIVENS following this significant achievement:

—Why did you decide to specialize in this sector?

Embarking on an educational path at Istituto Secoli is an exciting challenge. I began studying fashion and design in 2009, drawn by the allure of womenswear; my goal is to dress modern women. I am proud to be a woman, and I believe that clothing has the power to reflect a part of our personality. Turning creative ideas into something well-crafted is fundamental to beauty. Istituto Secoli has opened my mind to the importance of detail.

—Amanda, you are American; how did you come to Istituto Secoli?

After attending the FIT – Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and specializing in womenswear design, I decided to complete my training in Italy. There, I had the privilege of meeting many fashion industry professionals who advised me to attend Istituto Secoli and learn patternmaking.

—What is your goal?

I hope to one day have my own company and produce my own creations, but I find working for a fashion house, being part of a team, and being able to realize garments conceived from a shared idea very satisfying.

—Why did you choose to participate in the THE LINK competition?

I entered the competition as a personal challenge; I wanted to create something new and something I had never made before. I have a book full of ideas, from which I chose the most suitable one for this competition. I was surrounded by highly talented professors who guided and helped me throughout the development of the collection.

—Tell me about the project.

My project includes a total of four ‘looks’; the inspiration came from a 1930s silhouette and images of Greta Garbo, my muse. I used Rorschach blots as a print and hand-painted each application with iridescent glitter, mixing fabric paints; I then applied them by hand to each individual element using a mannequin to achieve the perfect shape. My collection features classic, strong, and sensual forms, yet maintains a vulnerable and delicate look.

Below is the project website:

http://ohamandajane.tumblr.com/

—Tell me about your experience and your feelings during your time at the international trade show.

I am happy and satisfied with my collection; I worked hard and with great determination. The fair hosted other competitors, and the technical and artistic level of the competition was very high. Naturally, the stands were visited by buyers and exhibitors from all over the world, and receiving comments and feedback on my work from fashion industry experts was a great opportunity for growth. The judges awarded me second prize, giving me the chance to exhibit this project at another international event to be held in July in Florence.

—Well then, ‘good luck’!

Thank you!