The 1940s was a decade dominated by World War II. As men were sent to fight in the war, women were given more opportunity to work. Prices were down, and confusion overpowered many. Common items were restricted: food, money and fabrics. This atmosphere was the inspiration for Ball State University senior Mary Morris.
A fashion design and fashion merchandising major, Morris designed and created a dress for her history of costume class based on a gown from the 1940s. Her work won her March's Creativity and Innovation Award.
Morris was inspired by Ball State's Beeman Historic Costume Collection. She researched the 1940s, focusing on color, fabrics, history, politics, fashion and the war. Morris was the only student in her class to use the collection for the assignment from her history of costume course.
"Winning this award is a great way to publicize my name as a designer," Morris said. "I was actually unaware of the award until my professor nominated me."
Susan Owens, family and consumer sciences instructor, said Morris copied the lines from the 1940s gown and designed it to be more wearable today.
"She presented the highest caliber of work and created a lovely, lovely garment," Owens said.
Morris is a goal-setting student, contributing a great deal of time to the project and putting a lot of hard work into the gown, Owens said.
Other than being an honor for Morris, the award speaks well of the department because she is the first to receive the award for fashion merchandising, Owens said.
"Her work is representative of this department and the work we turn out," Owens said, "This award for Morris means that somehow, some way, we're doing our job. It's nice to be recognized."
Morris took the assignment to a new level, creating a learning tool for other students, Diana Saiki, family and consumer sciences assistant professor said.
"A lot of students don't realize the historic collection is such a good place for inspiration," Saiki said.
The gown she made took an interesting angle on the 1940s, focusing on the evening wear. Its construction of the piece was phenomenal, Saiki said, and she could sell it today in a boutique.
Creativity and Innovation AwardBall State University senior Mary Morris won the March award.
Inspiration for the dress came from fashion styles from the 1940s.
Winner's dress can be viewed at:bsu.edu/portfolio/winners/march/photos
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