Transported to the judging panel on thick-heeled sneakers, Sydney University of Technology (UTS) graduate Vanessa Emirian's collection of big pink circles and polka-dot motifs was - in hers own words - wacky.
Or in context, it was ''a wacky obsession with the limitless possibilities of the circle''.
The Circulate collection was something of a hit with judges, if their interest in the material used was any indication.
Ms Emirian said the fabric in the collection was handmade through the laborious process of needle felting.
The technique she used was also used to make fabrics for the medical industry for items like surgical masks, disposable gowns and nappies.
''For me it was about taking this technique and elevating it, and making it something that was really fashion-focused.
It proved irresistible to judge Tanya Carlson, who left the judges' bench to touch and stroke a fabric she said felt ''like polar fleece''.
After her collection was judged, Ms Emirian said of the process of developing the material: ''I loved it'', despite the time it took.r obsession with the circle she wanted to ''push as far as I could''.
''It's about polka-dots as a motif, and the circle as a 3D form.''
Her education at the UTS had given her some training in dealing with judging panels, as ''critiques'' would be run by five or six tutors as students developed their designs.
''It really gave me great preparatory experience for a context like this.''
Ms Emirian said she had gone for a spot in the emerging designers awards because of the ''fun, creative'' designs it produced.
''I thought `hey, let's apply and see what happens'.''
As a judge said as she left: ''Yay, well done.''
