Designer creates ‘wow moment’

Models wear design creations by 2018 iD International Emerging Designer Award winner and University of Zagreb graduate Damir Begovic at the Dunedin Town Hall. Photo: Peter McIntosh

The 2018 iD International Emerging Designer Award winner Damir Begovic, of the University of Zagreb, Croatia, takes to the catwalk with one of his models. Photo: Gregor Richardson

Lisa Liu’s designs at the emerging designers show. Photo: Peter McIntosh

Second-placed Lisa Liu of the University of Technology, Sydney. Photo: Gregor Richardson

A model wearing a design by Ryerson University graduate Stephanie Moscall-Varey walks along the catwalk on the ground floor of the town hall last night. Photo: Peter McIntosh

Katie Clarke, of the Manchester Metropolitan University, took third place. Photo: Gregor Richardson

It was right the most difficult, vaguely disturbing but brilliant design should win.

Croatia’s Damir Begovic fought through a tight pack of frankly excellent fashion designers who glittered across the Dunedin Town Hall catwalk at the iD International Emerging Designers Show last night.

The second night of the show appeared better attended and more feisty than the first, with plenty of spontaneous applause, particularly for winners.

The models rose statuesque on the catwalk and swayed regally through the town hall, musician Anthonie Tonnon created atmosphere and the Odapt dancers at the end of play were stunning.

But University of Zagreb graduate Begovic, with his design based on the motifs and traditional techniques of Slavonian folk costume and attire, took the show.

Three of his models, fully encased in masks, had to be helped on the catwalk, such were the restrictions of the design.

But judge Benny Castles described the collection as "the ultimate combination of culture and couture".

Judge Karen Walker said the collection was faultlessly constructed, combining ready-to-wear elements with exceptional design.

"Seeing the collection on the runway, there was that wow moment, where the hairs stand up on the back of your neck and you understand the story it’s telling."