Entries wanted for Cult - Couture Fashion Awards

Media Release

18 July 2002

Entries wanted for Cult - Couture Fashion Awards

Manukau City Council and Toi o Manukau are inviting established and budding designers to meld culture and high fashion to create a wearable “ taonga’.

The inaugural Cult-Couture wearable art awards and show is a first for Manukau. Organiser Leisa Siteine says that the event is about reflecting the diverse cultures and life of Manukau through a contemporary wearable statement.

“We want people to let their imaginations soar and enter a wearable art piece in one of our creative categories. From “Recycled Revolution’, to “On the Streets’ to “Matrimonial Bliss’ we are looking for unique fashion statement that shows a creative spirit and an original cultural interpretation.

“Our categories are flexible enough to include designs that are traditional, surreal or outrageous. People can use environmental materials to fine silks and everything in between. We want to see designs that have strong cultural elements and that are unique,” says Leisa.

Each category winner receives $500 cash prize, with the supreme winner receiving $2,000.

Entries close on 16 August so contact 2750482 for a registration pack or visit Council’s website. The awards are open to anyone of secondary school age up.

The event is sponsored by Westfield ShoppingTown Manukau who are supplying the fashion show venue in the old Big Fresh Store, Amersham Way, Manukau City. The show, on 20 September, will showcase the entries in seven categories and include musical performances.

Ticketek (09-307 5000) is selling tickets to the awards evening.

ENDS

Notes

Category Definitions

RECYCLED REVOLUTION

Artfully attack the ever increasing pile of non-biodegradable refuse suffocating the planet. Wrap, weave or shape “waste” into “wicked”. Give us your re-vamped impression of stunning wearable waste art. (Entries using non-recycled products will not be accepted. Recycled products means items that have already been used once (or more) in some way, or products that can potentially be recycled, such as tin, glass, paper etc).

RECYCLED REVOLUTION (STUDENTS)

This category has the same criteria, but is open to Secondary Schools student only.

SPACE ODDITY

Star Wars, The Fifth Element and Star Trek. These movies perfectly portray the designs to be featured in this category. Our lives are shaped by technology, so show us your ideas of a futuristic tomorrow through the free expression of design.

OBVIOUSLY ORGANIC

Let the rhythm of nature be your guiding light. Cast your mind’s eye over the organic display that is Mother Earth and encapsulate a vision of fashionable art, rich in the flora and fauna of our environment. (Organic material only to be used).

A FLIGHT OF FANTASY

Take your influences from the realm of the surreal and the world of fantasy. Draw on the vibrant and spectacular flavour of a diverse nation of people living in Aotearoa, and show us your design fantasy!

MATRIMONIAL BLISS

From the vast array of cultures around the world give us your interpretation of the wonderment and beauty of marriage. Gorgeous gowns and groovy groomsmen - the world is your oyster from which to create show stopping wedding outfits.

ON THE STREETS

Fine or funky, let your imagination run free as you create your own street wear label. Your cool and casual designs will make the most of the materials, textures and colours of the cultures around you.

Judging Criteria:

Judges will be looking for

„X A strong representation of the category theme

- Innovation and creativity evidenced in the overall design

- A high standard of construction and design

- Originality

- A garment that embodies and expresses the Cult-Couture concept

An electronic photograph is available on request

Media Contact:

Gabrielle Hinton

Media Liaison

Corporate Communications

Manukau City Council

Phone: (09) 2628900 x 8650

Fax: (09) 2625759

Email: ghinton@manukau.govt.nz

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