Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (MSIT) fashion student Amy Davidson has received the learning opportunity of a lifetime after winning the 2010 International Sponsorship Award which will see her undertaken an international internship in Paris.

Ms Davidson was presented with the award during Creations, the 2010 MSIT fashion parade held on Tuesday 27 July, which showcased student graduate collections in front of 500 industry representatives, family and peers.

The Camp Hill third-year graduate was presented with the award by Education Manager for Fashion Liz Reynolds who offered her congratulations to Amy.

“The 2010 International Sponsorship Award is an amazing opportunity for Amy to travel overseas to one of the world’s leading fashion centres for her internship. She will use the skills she has learned at MSIT while furthering her passion for the fashion industry on an international scale,” Ms Reynolds said.

Amy will complete her internship with fashion forecasting agency Stylesight where she will take part in a print and graphic forecasting project using her broad range of skills in fashion and graphic design. Upon returning to Australia, she plans to gain experience in an Australian fashion forecasting agency before launching her own fashion label.

Amy’s final collection presented during the Creations parade, ‘A Dark Fairytale’, featured reversible swimwear and playwear. The garments of washed-out pastel fabrics highlighted with colour-pencil scribblings were inspired by the “Alter Naïve” theme reported in fashion forecasting journal Promostyl.

Leading industry representatives selected Amy for the International Sponsorship Award based on several criteria including her design ability, garment construction, entrepreneurial skills, commitment to the textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry, class attendance and her potential to be a positive ambassador for Australia.

“MSIT’s position as lead centre for textiles, fashion marketing and garment production affords our students the opportunity to gain exposure to contemporary industry benchmarks and international standards,” Ms Reynolds said.

“The annual Creations fashion parade demonstrates the breadth of industry-relevant skills our fashion students have learnt. It’s what sets MSIT students apart and it’s why we’ve been recognised as one of Australia’s top fashion institutes for more than 26 years.”

HR Manager for Colorado Sharyn Button said the Colorado Group employs a number of MSIT graduates.

“Our employees who have studied at MSIT, including some who have won the International Sponsorship Award, report a range of benefits gained from their international studies and work experience. We believe MSIT’s course content and opportunities such as the International Sponsorship Award give students an important understanding of the fashion industry’s commercial aspects.”

JustFashion.com.au Business Establishment Award

A new prize for 2010, the JustFashion.com.au Business Establishment Award, was presented at the Creations parade to Nasain Baartz to help her establish and market her own fashion business.

The Bli Bli student will receive support with marketing, public relations and graphic design requirements; business registration funding for the first year of operation; web design and domain fees; plus a 12 month business listing on the JustFashion.com.au website.

Christian Gesche, Managing Director of Multimedia Australia, owner and operator of the JustFashion.com.au website, said the award will give Nasain a head-start in a highly competitive global industry.

“The initial start-up phase of establishing a new business can be the most challenging for emerging designers. They face difficulties including funding and getting their name noticed in the industry. The elements of this award will go a long way to help Nasain achieve industry success and the team at JustFashion.com.au hopes winning the award has a life-changing impact on her future.”

Cyan Reign La Bella Figura Design Competition

The third award presented during the Creations parade was the La Bella Figura Design Competition sponsored by Brisbane fashion designer and former MSIT student Cyan Reign.

Annerley student Madeline van Eeghen received a $250 cash prize donated by MSIT and she will undertake a mentorship with Cyan Reign at her Fortitude Valley-based boutique. The award was open to second-year fashion students who designed and constructed a garment inspired by Italian sources which were showcased during the 2010 Italian Week celebrations.

The Creations parade at MSIT featured more than 160 garments including several award-winning pieces recognised by Australian and international industry representatives at the Triumph Inspiration Awards and WorldSkills Australia.

Past MSIT graduates who have forged successful careers in the fashion industry include designers Julie Tengdahl, Daniel Lightfoot, George Wu and Leigh Buchanan.

MSIT fashion graduates are employed by some of the most prestigious national and international fashion companies such as Colorado, Triumph, Billabong, Easton Pearson, Marc Jacobs, Sportscraft, Pacific Brands and Timothy Everest in London.

MSIT’s fashion training facilities at the Mt Gravatt campus will be refurbished in 2011 to provide state-of-the-art equipment for its 700 fashion design students.

This years shows will feature many established and emerging labels. Our old favourites; Akira, Easton Pearson and Scanlan and Theodore and the new and fresh talent of the Design and Innovation Group will show up and comers like; Jaquiline Buck, Saralli Designs and Benjamin Ringuet.

I personally will be seated front and centre at the QUT “Fashion After Hours” Event – featuring a panel discussion on “Couture – Is it still relevant?” – being an avid follower of Couture and Couturiers alike, I am fascinated by how this discussion will go. I have very strong opinions of what is and isn’t couture and therefore am interested what panellists such as Paul Hunt (Designer), Jonathan Ward (Designer) Margot Riley (Dress historian & curator), amongst the others, have to say on the subject.

It’s sure to be a liberating week on the Fashion Scene of Brisbane. I am looking forward to seeing the new collections of our Brisbane/QLD designers. Having been blown away by the many amazing collections shown at Rosemount Fashion Week Sydney, I highly anticipate what is to be a great year for Brisbane’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

For more information go to: www.mbff.com.au
For Tickets go to: www.ticketek.com.au

The Brisbane Fashion Industry is in good hands with up and coming talent as seen at Tuesday’s Triumph Inspiration Awards held in Sydney on the Harbour @ WatersEdge Restaurant.  The three local MSIT Students represented QLD in the finals with Tovah Cottle winning the prestigious title and Anna Peng in third place.  The nine finalists were drawn from Fashion Schools from NSW, VIC and QLD fashion schools, with 3 from each state.

The  Awards now in its third year,  run internationally, with 27 countries participating this year. Every participating country holds a national event to decide which young designer will proceed to the international final, to be held in London in September. The design brief, to design a lingerie showpiece around the theme ‘Shape Sensation’, to be as creative and imaginative in the design of a showpiece. We wish Tovah our congratulations and best wishes in London and bringing this title back to Australia.

Ten designers were chosen to have their pieces shown at their media preview for 2010 – “Flash Walk” – on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Street, to promote the photography exhibition held during the Melbourne Fashion Week.

10 models parading the designs of these emerging designers around the Flinders Street Station and it certainly drew the attention of the media and the public.

You can check out The Spirit of the Black Dress exhibition running from 12-6pm during the period 12-21st March at Georges on Collins, 195 Little Collins St, Melbourne.

Haute couture is used as an important marketing tool in defining and maintaining the status of high end luxury brands. These creative designs are seen as a way to showcase their talent and build brand awareness.  Well, they had me impressed, to say the least. A preview of some of the designs captured by photographer Christian Bowman last night are exhibited beow.

This fashion forward creation by Robyn Taggart (above), is one of the many intricate designs showcased at the QUT Graduate Fashion Parade last night. This womenswear collection, made from various knits and printed textiles, used cream as the main colour and bursts of coloured stripes and prints. It evoked a tranquil but fun and edgy feel, and was a definate crowd pleaser and perfect finish to the show.

If you look closely at this design by Jeremy Gillis (above), QUT Fashion Graduate, you can see the hint of femininity he’s created by adding delicate ruffles to the front of the blouse. This menswear collection worked well on the catwalk by using every day smart menswear with a quirky detail, print or splash of colour to intrigue the audience.

Winner of the 2009 MSIT Billabong Swimwear Fashion Award is Rhaman Donovan. This is the first time the MSIT has worked with Billabong to present students of fashion of the TAFE college with this highly sort after award.

The girls blogging at Designer’s Closet was told, “Exploded Wings” which was the name of her Swimwear collection, was inspired by the view of a butterfly wing through a microscope.

This was one of 5 finalists for the MSIT Billabong Swimwear Award, with other finalist’s included Amy Davidson, Alice Mala Rezende, Edwina Tait and Rachel Hedges with Rhaman Donovan being the inaugural winner.

It was a tough event to shoot, so have a little bit of editing to do for you. I’ll post in the next few days!

Liz Cantor speaking to a confused Winner

Entrants of the 2009 Fashions on the Field at Eagle Farm may have felt short changed after the announcement of winner who admitted to throwing the outfit together the morning before.

21 year old birthday girl, Bethany Townsend was announced winner of the $12,000 prize package after a mix-up by competition organisers. Judges revealing later in the afternoon that none of them picked that entrant as the winner. “There has been a mistake here” was the quote The Courier Mail got form Brisbane Fashion Festival director Lindsay Bennett.

Accidental winner Townsend will receive a $2500 shopping voucher, DKNY sunglasses and a Mercedes Benz for a weekend (a package worth $12,000).

Newly announced winner Mildred Elwood will also receive the same prize as Ms Townsend.

Click here to look at some photos from the Fashions on the Field competition at Eagle Farm’s Melbourne Cup Day in 2009.

Daniel Alexander - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 6

Another day of fashion brought the fashion followers back to the glorious Brisbane city hall. Each show of the evening showing new, innovative and unique designs from each designer.

Mother Maria - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 6

Mercedes-Benz Group Show 6 had designs from Dogstar, Daniel Alexander, Mother Maria, Zaicek, Malocchi, Pistols at Dawn and the very chic, La La Luxe. With pieces ranging from edgy to femme.

Pink Mint (Featuring Jenny Bannister) - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 7

Mercedes-Benz Group Show 7 presented pieces from the absolutely amazing well known Australian Designers Nicola Finetti, Kirrily Johnston, Pnk Mint (with Jenny Bannister) and the always fabulous Lisa Ho.

Lisa Ho - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 7

Group Show sponsored by Queensland biggest selling newspaper The Sunday Mail had us seeing stars with designers Chelsea de Luca, Talulah, Katelyn Aslett, Sacha Drake, Pia du Pradal and standout Project Runway Australia winner Juli Grbac bringing us her ever feminine pieces.

A fabulous Sunday on the water, for the swimwear show with pieces from Flamingo Sands, Karen Neilsen Collection, White Sands, Rebecca Manning Swim, Colin Heany and the ever intriguing Riot Swimwear.

As the sun went down fashionistas gathered at the gorgeous Brisbane City Hall. Where they saw striking collections from Akira, Easton Pearson and Camargue were shown. Designers with Camargue include designs from Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela, Rundholz, Sara LAnzi, Peachoo & Krejberg.