Granz enrolled in “Special Topics: Innovative Approaches in Design” as an elective course for her last semester at MSU. The first class assignment was to create a sustainable, eco-friendly garment. To inspire the students, the class professor, Dr. Theresa M. Winge, had the students enter their designs in the national “Red Carpet, Green Dress” contest.

 

The “Red Carpet, Green Dress” competition is sponsored by MUSE Elementary School, a nonprofit elementary school in California designed to create learners who can live harmoniously among their peers and global friends. The founder, Suzy Amis-Cameron, created the “Red Carpet, Green Dress” competition to raise funds for the MUSE Elementary School Scholarship Fund.

 

The contest, open to anyone over the age of 18, had only one stipulation: the design had to be a gown created with natural, organic or recycled fabric. For the project, Granz researched the typical silhouettes worn by Mrs. Cameron and her favorite colors to get insight on her design personality. Granz was also inspired by no-waste patterning which is a cutting technique that utilizes all of the fabric to make the gown.

 

After thoroughly researching her client and creating a design idea, it only took a few hours for Granz to sketch the gown’s design. Her sketch was then mailed to Los Angeles with thousands of other entries from across the nation.

 

Hardly a week later, Granz was walking on campus when she received a phone call from Mrs. Cameron informing her that her sketch had been chosen as the grand-prize winner.

 

“I was extremely shocked, I didn't think in a million years I would have won. I couldn't believe I was actually talking to Suzy and was at a loss for words. I am really excited and honored that she picked my design,” commented Granz.

 

In the coming weeks, Granz will fly out to Los Angeles to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, sit in on a private fitting and see her dress, crafted by Academy Award-winning designer, Deb Scott, and receive a VIP tour of MUSE Elementary School. Mrs. Cameron will debut the dress at the Academy Awards on March 7, 2010.

 

Granz will graduate from MSU in May 2010 and is currently looking for a job in fashion to jump-start her promising career. “I still have no idea what I want to do after graduation. Because of this contest, I’m hopeful my name will be out there, may bring some opportunities and make my job search a little bit easier,” said Granz.

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Author Courtney Curran is a student of communications at Michigan State University and currently serves as Agency Director of Hubbell Connections, a student-run PR firm.