Dressed for success

MSU sophomore wins fashion design contest

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A year ago, Kelsey Denczek-Kalczynski wasn’t sure she had what it takes for the world of fashion design. Today, one of her dress designs has put her at the top of a national competition.

Since February, Skintimate Studios has been running a contest in conjunction with designer Mara Hoffman in an effort to hunt down original women’s ensembles. Designers from across the country submitted their drawings for review by both the public and the studio’s own judges.

Michigan State University sophomore Denczek-Kalczynski almost didn’t make it in time, though. Chance brought her to an Internet ad touting the contest.

“So I clicked on it — found it maybe two weeks before the deadline,” Denczek-Kalczynski said. “I hurried up, tried to do something real quick. And in the end, I got the most votes.”

From start to finish, it took Denczek-Kalczynski around six hours to craft a gown design out of watercolors.

“I wanted to put a lot of elements into it that I would find in the perfect gown,” Denczek-Kalczynski said. “So I made it purple. Made it flow-y. I was really nervous. I really liked the sketch. I wasn’t sure though — I  thought it would be ruined, but it turned out really well.”

Adding to the drama of the moment was the fact that what would go on to become an award-winning design was actually the first time Denczek-Kalczynski had ever painted a dress. 

However, Denczek-Kalczynski, originally of Williamston, began her journey into the world of fashion in middle school. Citing an obsession with “America’s Next Top Model” as one of her driving inspirations, she originally had dreamed of going into the modeling side of the business.

“Unfortunately, I soon found out that Tyra (Banks) said only tall people could be models,” she said. But it opened her eyes to the design aspect of the business instead. 

Flash to high school, when she spent a year of mornings designing at Lansing Community College as part of a dual enrollment program. The summer before her senior year, she went to Chicago to join Columbia College’s fashion design program.

Yet during her first year at MSU, her confidence wavered. Fearing she wasn’t cut out for the fashion world, Denczek-Kalczynski switched to elementary education. She has since changed back to the apparel and textile design program, however.

So what’s next for the contest champion?

As part of her reward, Denczek-Kalczynski will travel to New York to study under one of America’s top designers, Mara Hoffman. She’ll also accompany Hoffman and her staff to Miami for Hoffman’s Swim Week Fashion Show. It’s experience Denczek-Kalczynski described as priceless.

Despite all the recent success, however, Denczek-Kalczynski still ponders what she will do with her degree.

“I would love to have my own label. As long as I can be creative though: I don’t want to get bogged down with anything too serious.”

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