Road workers inspire fluoro collection

Wintec’s  up and coming  fashion showcase to be held on 22 November  has got fashion students feeling overwhelmed.

Second year student Madeleine Schulz, 26, received the most promising student award in 2013’s Wintec fashion show with her floral ‘From here on’ outfit.

This year’s collection is called ‘Fluro Active’ and Schulz drew her inspiration from safety jackets.

“There are a lot of road works here in Hamilton; also my partner comes home every night with a safety jacket on and I thought, I have to do something with it,” she says.

Schulz admits the idea started to develop when she first went into the fabric store and it just came together. “It’s quite organic how it happens,” she says.

As fashion is a competitive industry you would think that there are conflicts behind the scenes, but Wintec students are really supportive of each other.

Second year Fashion Diploma student, Ari Brown, 27 says, “Our designs are totally different, so the only competition is myself.”

This year’s fashion show will be an open event and will take place on Alexandra Street, as a part of Hamilton’s 150 year celebration.

Julie Ashby, Wintec’s Fashion/Interior Design programme coordinator, says the Fashion School looks at the showcase as a very high profile event, therefor only the best quality work will go out.

“Students work towards the level of quality and with their assignments they must get a mark of sixty per cent to be able to be considered for the show,” says Ashby.

With the event happening in a few weeks students still haven’t completed their showcase collections.

Each student needs to create from three to five garments for the show.

“I have one outfit completed, as we had to finish it for the lookbook shoot. I’m sewing outfits two and three at the moment,” says Schulz.

Fashion Design Diploma students get a mixture of emotions with the Wintec runway show just around the corner.

Some are nervous for designs to be shown to the public and what response they will receive. Others are excited to see all collections being finished and finalised.

Ari Brown says that a fashion show like this, generates exposure for students.

“It’s nice to start a movement here and I think people should embrace it a lot more,” says Brown.

The show, being on Alexandra Street and available for everyone, will give people an opportunity to look at something that’s different and not commercially manufactured.