2006 WINNERS
20th Anniversary Ellen Hansen Prize

ELIZABETH "KAINO" HOPPER (http://ekaino.com)
fashions@ekaino.com | Studio: (916) 944-4854
"It Works For Me"

One of the 2006 Ellen Hansen Memorial Prize winners was Kaino Hopper, for her line of clothing titled, "It Works for Me." Inspired by Carol Koch, Dental Receptionist and wheelchair user, this body of work is a fashion line that incorporates mobility friendly function with art-to-wear design. In spite of the progression of Multiple Sclerosis Carol desired to keep working, but found appropriate apparel hard to shop for “off the rack”, and custom tailoring was cost prohibitive. The business woman who experiences reduced mobility yet does not let this keep her from participating in society, is often stigmatized not only by the tools of wheelchairs, braces, and canes, but also by the clothing options that are available to her. Clothing that is specifically for the disabled is often so functional that pleasing design is secondary or non-existent. Kaino's designs in the“It Works for Me” collection incorporate functional elements of separating sleeves, adapted waistlines, hidden zippers, and movement panels as part of the style-lines of the fashions to eliminate the visual stigmatization of ill-fitting, less fashionable garments. The surface decoration looks delicate and artsy, but the fabrics are easy care polyester that furthers independence. Carol’s courage and her apparel dilemma inspire Kaino's efforts, but she found that designing clothing outside the accepted “Runway” look required fortitude and focus. Creating a designer look that embraced and encouraged independence in women with lowered mobility but was still appealing to women with perfect mobility was a great challenge, but a satisfying one.

FONDA YOSHIMOTO
Waking Up: Pieces of a Whole

The other winner for 2006 was Fonda Yoshimoto, for her touching series of photographs depicting her mother's battle with cancer.