Nicole Alsonso, 22, wins first Solstiss-Academy Award

Nicole Alsonso, a 22-year-old student at Instituto Marangoni, a fashion school, won the first Solstiss-Academy Award. Vera Wang, the New York designer, presented it at Villa Albertine, the cultural arm of the French Embassy in New York City. The prize is $5,000 of Solstiss lace plus a crystal award. Selection rested on creativity and innovative use of the lace.