Four designers have entered their creations in the jewellery category, including Australian Paula Kyle Walden.
A Queensland University of Technology student, she was advised by her lecturer to compete in the awards.
She was pleased she entered the "internationally recognised competition" as the talent on display was "phenomenal".
"It's lovely to see what people are doing from a global perspective in one space."
Allowing jewellery to be entered in the awards was a good move by the organisers.
"Jewellery really enhances fashion's aesthetic," Ms Kyle Walden said.
Her collection, titled Inner Battles, featured hand-sculpted acrylic, and silver rings with black and white cubic zirconia.
"The art of making acrylic pieces is more emotive, while the silver pieces are more logical in approach.
"I find an inner balance between their workings."
Event co-ordinator Victoria Bunton said the jewellery category was introduced as a "point of difference for 2010".
Jewellery was an "obvious extension of fashion design", she said.
Other designers entered in the category were Lan Ching Fu, of Auckland University of Technology, and Anne-Mieke Ytsma and Debbie Adamson, both of Otago Polytechnic.
The sold-out awards show will be held at the Lion Foundation Arena at 8pm today.
