Talented students showed their creative designs at the Fashion Awards Australia grand finals on the weekend. 70039 Pictures: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Alesha Capone
DESIGNS created by talented students from across the West wowed the crowd at the annual Fashion Awards Australia gala presentation, staged for the first time at the Grand Hyatt on Saturday night.
The awards, sponsored by Star News Group and organised by the Wyndham Fashion Awards Committee and Heather Marcus, are now in their 14th year.
At the glamourous event, 195 amazing outfits created by teenagers, TAFE and university students and professional designers from across the nation were showcased.
Just before the fashion parade began, Ms Marcus thanked all the volunteers who participated in the evening for their hard work.
A letter from Prime Minister Julia Gillard, wishing the skilled young fashion designers all the best, was also read out.
In the first category of the secondary school awards, featuring outfits made of calico, Trinh Le of St Albans Secondary College won first prize.
In the Sustainable Recycled Wearable Art section, outfits made from materials including recycled shopping bags, recycled denim jeans, old curtains, men’s ties, bed sheets, newspaper, umbrellas and straws were shown.
Shanali Martin of Heathdale Christian College in Werribee took third place, with Shauna Lucas from Penola Catholic College in Broadmeadows coming first.
In the Costume/Fantasy category, Kristie Todaro from MacKillop College in Werribee received third and Olivia Cabral from Penola Catholic College won the event.
In the Day Wear outfits, Nicole Birch from MacKillop College was second and Rolland Andreica of St Albans Secondary College first.
During the Cocktail Wear section, a design by Lauren Acciarito of MacKillop College was third and second was Laura Milosevski of St Albans Secondary College.
Also at the awards, St Albans Secondary College took home the John Claringbold Memorial Secondary College Cup, while Shauna Lucas from Penola Catholic College in Broadmeadows was chosen as the Secondary College Young Designer of the Year 2011.
Within the Professional Designer Awards, Aneta Pazeski of Cairnlea took out third place in the Race Wear section.
