Fashion Week 2015, under the umbrella of the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show held in Tulsa, the US, was all about seasonal runway presentations. With it, came the nuances that surround any new collection; backdrops, ateliers, embroiderers, catwalks, models and designers. It was so spectacular I had to share it with Australian readers because, as we know, they love a good competition!

The line up of talented artists who competed, won and placed in the Grand National Wedding Cake Competition created amazing cake designs. New faces placing, consistent artists returning, award winners sharing, amazing skill sets that would rival anywhere in the world were all taking place under the one roof. And, with more than USD$200,000 in cash and merchandise up for grabs, competition was fierce but courteous.

The event is staged by volunteers who love the art of cake decoration. No one is paid, but rather generously supported by the industry itself, which see it as a flagship of quality – and rightly so. Here are some of the winners:

Lori Cossou, Oklahoma

Grand prize winner (ornate opulence)
Truly a creative work of sugar art, triple-crown grand prize winner Lori Cossou Welch produced an understated cake inspired by Pakistani designer Nickie Nina. With techniques to dazzle, and an unusual colour palette, Lori’s key skills exhibited royal iced bridgeless extension-work skirting in white and cerise, dropped flowers, floral enhancements and hand-painting.

Her five-tier cake sat upon a double cake board in celadon green and tan decorated with gold flower-paste leaves, flowers, and scrolls and bejewelled accents. There is so much exquisite detail it is worth it to take a second look.

Angela Negron, Texas

First runner up (ink and lace)
An ecstatic Angela made her way into the top five for the first time with a riveting new style setup. A flawless set of perfectly matched upside-down sherbet coloured pastillage cones accented in amethyst masked interior cakes, and this new silhouette was a big talking point among the competitors.

To add glow the interior of the cones were airbrushed in gold. Meticulous attention to detail was given to the lilac board. An embossed gold-edged rippled collar encircled the base of the cake then scroll-work and jewelled cameos enhanced the upper layer. Shimmer sugars added glitz to the gilded baroque appliqués on the upper two tiers. The design was inspired by the Guo Pei Hong King Fashion Week.

We would certainly love to welcome more Australian visitors and competitors so please, consider being a part of this year’s event.