EIT Students Star at Hokonui Fashion Awards

EIT Students Star at Hokonui Fashion Awards

Star achievers in the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, Tessa Paaymans and Victoria Notoa are shaping up promising careers as they look ahead to completing their studies at EIT.

While Tessa top-placed in the new silver category, created to celebrate the awards’ 25 years at the forefront of New Zealand fashion design, Victoria was runner-up in the ever-popular streetwear section.

Both are in their second year at EIT, studying for the Certificate in Fashion Apparel. Programme coordinator Cheryl Downie says their success was amazing given the very high standard of entries the competition attracts from amateur designers throughout New Zealand.

“It’s been the best year ever for EIT. All 11 students on the programme had their entries accepted for judging, and it was hugely exciting seeing Tessa and Victoria do so outstandingly well.

“We’re very proud of our depth of talent too. As an EIT student, Tory Tiopira was second placed in the avant garde section for the 2012 Hokonui awards and this year he earned a highly commended in the collections section.”

The theme for the silver category was “anything goes”, and entrants were asked to use the colour silver in their designs.

Nineteen-year-old Tessa chose to work with a “quite unusual” gun-metal grey fabric, a viscose rayon with a wet look. Inspired by architectural forms, she incorporated wings with clear inserts, “like plastic”, to add structure to her award-winning garment.

From Hastings, Tessa demonstrated her design flair last year with a runner-up placing at Cult Couture, a nationwide competition held as part of Auckland’s Southside Arts Festival.

After gaining her certificate, she hopes to study for a Diploma in Costume Construction at Toi Whakaari, the performing arts school in Wellington.

“This latest win will certainly enhance my chance of being accepted – there are only six places available.”

The next step will be to study costume design, perhaps in Australia, and then to work in the film industry, although Tessa enjoys theatre as well.

Starting her study path at EIT has been a good choice, she says.

“It has developed my skills in pattern drafting and given me more practice with sewing. I’ve been doing hard construction work at home.”

Victoria’s entry Masculine Mystic comprised five related pieces –outerwear based on the traditional men’s suit, teamed up with a sleeveless maroon organza top layered over black knitwear.

“It’s an ensemble based on masculinity without sacrificing femininity,” the 19-year-old from Flaxmere says. “The coat and trousers are constructed in prince of wales black and white check and trimmed with black leather. They were inspired by men’s tailoring and are intended to appear oversized worn by a female model.”

Victoria, who came to EIT from Hastings Girls’ High School, wants to progress to AUT’s Bachelor of Fashion Design next year.

“I’ve found studying at EIT very beneficial and have gained a lot of skills,” she says. “I reckon it’s a pretty good programme, studying a subject you like all day.”

ENDS

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