Hunter Student Fashion Designer Awards

The party is now over and the awards have been presented for the 2008 Hunter Student Fashion Designer Awards. Over 300 people packed Maitland Gaol on Wednesday 29th October for the glittering parade and award presentations ceremony with Master of Ceremonies Lisa Simmons-Webb. Presentations were made to 4 category winners including, for the first time this year, Best Secondary School entrant. Additionally, the judges made presentations to 7 other entrants for Special Awards and Awards of Encouragement.

The night was a fantastic opportunity for the community to come along and enjoy a relaxed evening of fun and fashion while supporting and acknowledging the local young fashion industry of the area. After the Awards and parade, guests had the opportunity to mingle with up and coming local fashion designers while partaking of a delicious cocktail or two.

This year, photographer Cath Bowen was on hand to take images of the parade and these have been loaded onto a special page for viewing. They can be accessed here. While the photos are copyright, full size A4 prints are available for $30 from Maitland Gaol by contacting the office on (02) 4936 6482.

Parade Gallery (click here)

The 2008 Awards

Congratulations to all the entrants for a magnificent parade and especially to the following award winners:

Overall Winner: Ms Alexandria Wright

• Garment 29: “Safari Queen” – Safari green button up shirt, and a bell bottom underbust dress with a safari print bustle and pockets
• Garment 41: Baby doll dress with a gathered bottom, under bust band and pleated vinyl gussets
• Garment 48: Black and Red laced corset with a black bow, gathered skirt and a record handbag

Most Innovative: Ms Alannah Sutcliffe

• Garment 27: Safari influenced strapless gown with tabs, bullet belt and netted head piece
• Garment 39: Strapless dress suitable for the more casual event
• Garment 46: Tulip skirt featured with reverse denim cami for underneath

Best Workmanship: Mrs Olesya Cholkli

• Garment 6: Halterneck top with armhole panel and overlay, skirt with fly front pockets on front and back and appliquéd tabs
• Garment 20: Sleeveless vest with insert pockets and tie and zip front, pants with fly front double pockets and side seam ties

Best Secondary School Entrant: Ms Lucy Wiggins (MET School Cardiff South)

• Garment 108: “Waratah”

Special Awards:

Innovative Use of Fabric and Fibre: Ms Kerry Brims

• Garment 10: “Yin and Yana” Four part Asian inspired collection. Top dress in grey wool, very loose, shapeless, short, strapless, lined and boned. Under Dress in black wool blend fitted in contrast to top dress, below calf-length, mandarin collar and almost wrist length sleeves, embellished across one shoulder, hems and deep back pleat with threads from grey fabric. Belt in black wool shaped, embellished back detail. Bag felted wool. All items will work individually or together

Concept: Ms Amelia Peacock

• Garment 63: Modern Victorian style, shredded fabric, hand sewn embellishments, crazy patchwork strips, sexy street wear, rock ‘n’ roll style, innovative, unique and ‘out there’ wearable art, corset and cage

Design Creativity: Mr Gregory Smee

• Garment 64: “Dark Forces” Japanese Manga, a dark Japanese warrior using black and white contrasts and fierce dramatic shoulder spikes and long pant tails

Textile Art: Ms Elizabeth Greenwood (Callaghan College)

• Garment 86: 2 piece outfit. Panteloon pants with embroidered and layered belt/waist band, felted and dyed tailcoat with embellishments

Secondary Schools Runner-Up: Ms Sally Honeysett (Callaghan College)

• Garment 91: “Lotus” 3 piece outfit consisting of bodice, neckpiece and skirt. Bodice is structured, laced up at back and has self made material front panel. Neck piece is created through origami roses. Skirt is made through a variety of folding techniques and origami roses, beaded intricately with pearls

“Princess Bazaar” Retail Award: Ms Amy Smith

• Garment 51: Roman Goddess style, lace waistband, over the shoulder straps with beading and a matching headpiece
• Garment 67: Short flowy dress with sheer over-front and back, beaded waist band that goes through the back and fastens around the neck
• Garment 76: Floor length dress, shaped bodice with ruffle down centre front and ruffles on sleeves

Encouragement Award: Mr John Dixon (Callaghan College)

• Garment 85: 3 piece casual outfit, fitted panelled bodice with black lacing, bolero jacket with capped sleeves, loose fitted pants with overskirt onto stretch band

The 2007 Awards

Winners on the night were:

• Overall Winner - Joanne Wacher
• Most Innovative - Delvena Leong
• Best Workmanship - Oleysa Cholkli
• Encouragement Award (Design) - Brianna Brent
• Encouragement Award (Technology Mixed Medium) - Alyse Hemson
• Encouragement Award (Couture Garment) - Melanie Ritchie
• Encouragement Award (Saleability) - Cristie Little
• Encouragement Award (Commercial Workmanship) - Karissa Shrubb

The 2009 Awards

More information on the 2009 event will be posted on this web page as details come to hand or contact Maitland Gaol on (02) 4936 6482. The award presentation evening has been tentatively programmed for Wednesday 28th October 2009.