The Danier Student Design Challenge

The competition was fierce— 65 Ryerson School of Fashion students competing to have their leather jacket chosen as the winner of the 2010 Danier Design Challenge. The fact that none of the top three contestants had ever worked with leather before made their achievement especially impressive.

John Hillifer, 28-year-old B.C native, won the $5,000 prize and the chance to have his design sold in Danier stores this coming fall. This young guy is an inspiration for all of you young designers who hope to make it big.

“His conviction becomes apparent as he shows his design– it shows that he has thought about his design in three dimensions. The jacket features a collar, which looks terrific both open and closed as well as a unique pocket concept.”

Along with the public, a panel of judges, which included Jeanne Beker, Ryerson Fashion chair Robert Ott, stylist George Antonopoulos and Globe & Mail style writer Tiyana Grulovic, chose the winning design.

The second place prize of $3,000 went to Pamela Card and her quilted jacket, and third place to Tanya Wiebe’s double zippered design.

Watch John’s submission video and judges reactions here

Are you up for the challenge? Click here for more details