There were plenty of remarkable creations on display at the Fashion Awards Australia regional secondary college finals in Hoppers Crossing. 68851 Pictures: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM could have been mistaken for Paris or Milan last week as budding fashion designers from across Victoria took to the catwalk.
The Fashion Awards Australia regional secondary college finals were held at the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing last Wednesday and were attended by more than 400 fashion enthusiasts.
More than 160 students took to the runway, vying for a coveted spot at the Fashion Awards gala event in Melbourne on 10 September.
The audience was wowed by the creativity and style of the students, who special guest, Project Runway’s Craig Braybrook, admitted were a bit threatening.
“I’m absolutely blown away by the standard,” Mr Braybrook said.
“I’m a little scared because it means there is lots of competition for me.”
Event organiser Heather Marcus said those students chosen for the gala event would be able to strut their stuff next to professional designers and TAFE students.
“Because we have grown hugely recently it was getting too big to show all the dresses in one night,” Ms Marcus said.
“These regional finals are a chance for every student to get their dress on the catwalk.”
Two of the most popular categories of dresses on the night were the sustainable recycled wearable art field and costume fantasy wear.
The audience gasped as the mediums for some of the dresses in the recycled category were revealed.
Dresses made from umbrellas, a lamp shade, vinyl records, shoulder pads, seatbelts and even drinking straws, were just some of the highlights.
As many as 72 students were selected to make it through to the gala event while Shauna Lucas from Penola Catholic College was chosen as the young designer of the year for her dress made from full length industrial belts, red tulle and zips.
