Young Designer Bound For Australian Fashion Week

Delighted Young Designer Bound For Australian Fashion Week

When young fashion designer Christina Perriam showcases her stunning grand canyon-inspired designs during the Student Collection Shows at the prestigious Australian Fashion Week, she will be completing a process which began on her family’s Central Otago property.

Like many young designers, the 22 year old has chosen to use natural fibres in her collection. It is the source of this fibre which sets her apart ­ some of the 100 per cent pure New Zealand merino from which her designs are crafted was grown on Bendigo Station, the Perriam’s high country run.

The merino fibre was crafted into exclusive Zelander fabric by leading Italian mill, Loro Piana, which has developed a close working relationship with Merino New Zealand and New Zealand merino growers.

One of only two New Zealand fashion students invited to participate in the high-profile Student Collection Shows, Christina leaves on Sunday with six outfits, which will be paraded alongside the work of 13 other young designers from Australia, Asia and New Zealand.

Christina will represent Massey University ­ where she completed her Bachelor of Fashion Design last year ­ in the Student Collection Shows, with the show scheduled for Thursday, May 10.

The student collection will be judged by a panel, with the winner receiving a $5000 grant from the Australian Fashion Foundation.

Delighted with the opportunity to showcase her work in front of the Australian Fashion Week crowd, Christina says this show will provide a boost to her future in the industry. “Michelle Jank, who was a student exhibitor at last year’s fashion week, was such a hit that she now has her own label and is participating in the main part of the show in her own right.”

Inspired by the grandeur and “presence” of the Grand Canyon, Christina opted for a sculptured look in her end of year collection, which features chocolate brown New Zealand merino cloth from Loro Piana’s Zelander collection, and a cream merino fabric woven from the Perriam’s own merino clip.

“I wanted to use New Zealand merino because it is part of my heritage and upbringing. The cream fabric is close to my heart, coming from Bendigo Station, and creating beautiful designs with it makes me immensely proud of that heritage,” she says.

Having undertaken work experience with leading New Zealand designers Nick Blanchet and Tanya Carlson, Christina is now ready for the cut and thrust of the fashion world, and keenly anticipates the “buzz” and atmosphere of the high-profile Australian Fashion Week.

She has already tasted success ­ having been awarded the Unity Collection Award for the best end of year collection by a final year student at Massey and the Purfex design Award for overall design and academic achievement in her final year ­ and Christina is ready to grasp the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity being presented to her.

“It is such an honour to be one of the first New Zealanders asked to take part in the student collections at Australian Fashion Week, and it is even more special to me to be showing Bendigo Station merino as part of my collection.”

For more information, contact: Christina Perriam Bendigo Station Ph 03 445 2769 Mob 021 258 1464 Fax 03 445 2887

© Scoop Media