The Otago Polytechnic School of Fashion's third-year graduating students showed they are armed and ready for futures in the fashion industry at the annual Collections show held on Friday night. Jude Hathaway reports.
Innovative contemporary fashion pumped vibrant life into the magnificent old Bank of New Zealand building, chosen this year as the venue for the Otago Polytechnic School of Design's annual Collections show last Friday night.
The grand historic building in Princes St, opened in 1864, is now enjoying the beginnings of a massive refurbishment under the stewardship of its new owner, Dunedin jeweller Ted Daniels.
It proved an extraordinary, if challenging, venue for the exciting end-of-year event which has been staged annually - with the exception of one year - since 1991.
The original exquisitely crafted plaster ceiling gave evidence of the bank's former elegance. A large chandelier above the action was in stark contrast to the raft of contemporary lighting that flooded the catwalk with white light.
Models from the Ali McD Modelling Agency began the parade through the audience in a smaller room before heading on to the L-shaped catwalk in the main room. Some of the crowd were seated, others stood.
The atmosphere was warm and intimate in the European salon-like surroundings.
Among the audience this year was a visiting delegation from the Shanghai University of Engineering Science, which is the Otago Polytechnic's "sister" tertiary institution in China.
Collections from two fashion students from the university added further dynamics to a show steeped in individuality and flair.
Early in the show the remarkable innovation of the 25 graduates became apparent.
They showed new takes on all facets of fashion, from casual and leisurewear, swimwear, sportswear and daywear to menswear, footwear and evening apparel. They grabbed inspiration from other eras, other cultures, they shifted and slewed shapes, they played tirelessly with textiles. Fabrics were hand-painted, screen-printed, digitally printed and embellished with hand-crafted detailing.
They used metal and wood for sunglasses, bags and jewellery.
One futuristic collection was created from plastic and string art.
And this year, one student stepped right away from the concept of a traditional collection to use the design and presentation of a glossy fashion magazine to convey her strengths.
It was evident that the fashion graduates of 2011 are well-equipped to get out there and help shape fashion's future.
The winners
Sustainability award: Maria Blackburn (Presbyterian Support Otago).
Best Use of Silk: Therese Joyce (Silkbody).
Best Use of Natural Fibres: Margot Rieder (Global Fabrics).
Directional Design: Jojo Ross (Plume).
Marketable Design Flair: Molly Barrington (Waughs).
Commercial potential: Molly Barrington and Tara Young (Dunedin Fashion Incubator).
Design Innovation: Philip Hawkins (Belle Bird).
Top Collection 2011 - Jojo Ross (Aliana McDaniel).
Overall Excellence (marks-based): Grace Averis (Charles Parsons Ltd, Christchurch.)