At the cutting edge of their careers in fashion design

At the cutting edge of their careers in fashion design

Three students in the second year of their Diploma in Fashion Design at NorthTec have sewn up top placings at the Bernina Fashion Awards.

The results achieved at the region’s premier fashion design awards recently, demonstrated that Kohi Manukau, Jessica Smith and Navit Skelton all have, promising careers in designing wearable art and fashionable garments.

Kohi, who is from Kaikohe, was runner-up in the Dancing Queen section, Jessica from Waipu, was highly commended for a wearable art piece and Navit, from Tangowahine Valley near Dargaville, was placed second equal for her wearable art entry and also placed third in the evening gown section.

Navit opted to study fashion design at NorthTec because she was more comfortable staying at home in the North rather than going elsewhere to study. Her achievements of second and third placings at the Bernina Fashion Awards are a reflection of the skills she says she has picked up on the course so far.

Jessica Smith said sharing the limelight with her peers at the Bernina awards was “special” and the good results shows the quality of the programme at NorthTec, run by Merle Owens Sharon Thompson and Sarah Hewlett, who offer a supportive and encouraging environment.

Taking part in the competition doubled as a chance for Jessica to glean inspiration for her future designs. Jessica had witnessed what the Bernina Fashion Awards were like last year, as a model, but preferred being a participating designer this time round.

Just prior to the Bernina Fashion Awards, Jessica had another of her wearable art designs place second in the Art n Tartan Fashion Awards at Waipu. The garment was inspired by the Māori God of Wind. For this piece Jessica cut up a copper water cylinder and wove this into a waste banded skirt, which she polished. To complete the look she also had a short Tartan dress she designed underneath.

Although not an avid follower of all the latest fashion trends, Jessica is instantly drawn to a design that in the detailing, and colour, can catch the eye right away.

When completing her NorthTec qualification, Jessica is planning to head overseas to gain work experience in the fashion industry, while Navit is hoping to work in costume design and would love to work for a company such as Weta Workshop Limited in Wellington.

ENDS

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