Fashion Students Make Their Big PITCH

12/11/12 – For immediate release

Fashion Students Make Their Big PITCH

Dr Seuss meets origami, an antique nautical print, the contrast between Russian dolls and the real Babushkas, the movie The Notebook – inspiration for CPIT’s fashion design and technology students’ final year collections certainly comes from a diverse range of sources.

Eight students will present collections at PITCH on 24 November in the Rakaia Centre as part of CPIT’s Creative Festival.

Behind the scenes is a huge amount of work; the students must develop their theme, choose materials, create patterns, construct every garment in their collection and then select models and oversee styling for the catwalk show.

“The quality is very high,” CPIT fashion programme leader Niki Chrisp said. “They are very good technicians and they would be an asset to any future employer.”

The practical aspect of the programme makes it popular with industry because graduates are ready to contribute to any part of a workroom’s operations. Two previous graduates have won Westpac Designer of the Year, some have started their own labels and others can be found at some of the country’s top labels.

While a number of current students have produced commercial collections, others have used their final training time to experiment with more avant garde couture.

“It’s a bit excessive,” Phoebe Ratcliff said of her Russian-inspired collection featuring velvet and leather she had embossed with lace. “But I like excessive. I might as well go all out on the last one!”

“I’m taking origami ideas and making it wearable,” Gemma Ross said. “It’s challenging and fun. Now is the time to experiment.”

First and second year students also show mini collections in PITCH, as part of their preparation for creating full collections in their final year. PITCH also exemplifies the collaborative spirit of CPIT’s Creative Festival, incorporating the amazing skills of CPIT's digital video post-production students to create a professional and dynamic night for industry and the public of Christchurch.

PITCH is on 24 November in the Rakaia at CPIT at 6pm and 8pm. Limited tickets are available for the 6pm show; the 8pm show is now sold out.

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ENDS

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