An Otago Polytechnic fashion designer has seen his career ''sped up'' by his inclusion in hit United States reality series Project Runway.
Otago Polytechnic graduate Duncan Chambers-Watson was picked earlier this year as a contestant on Project Runway, which begins on Vibe this week, and flown to New York.
Filming has finished for the 14th series of the show, but Mr Chambers-Watson said he planned to stay on and work in the industry in New York.
''Right now I'm doing freelance stuff in New York, making connections.
''I've met some cool people and talked to a few parties - I won't say any names right now. It's going quite well.''
Mr Chambers-Watson graduated from Otago Polytechnic last year with a bachelor's degree in design (fashion), with distinction.
He gained a scholarship to attend Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, and participated in Shanghai Fashion Week through Otago Polytechnic's partnership with the Shanghai University of Engineering Science.
His graduation collection featured at this year's iD Dunedin railway show.
Mr Chambers-Watson described Project Runway - a show in which designers compete with each other to create the best clothes, and are restricted in time, materials and theme - as ''a really interesting experience. Something I wasn't expecting to happen. A great opportunity for me to partake in''.
What was shown on screen was what happened on the set.
''They set the challenge you have to do and have to complete.
''Once you start it's pretty much go hell for leather.
''You've just got to get it done - you've got a time and you've just got to go for it and do the best you can.''
Mr Chambers-Watson said on-air mentor Tim Gunn, an American fashion consultant, television personality and actor, was ''a really good dude''.
''It's really interesting to see what the judges say about your work, and Tim is the main reason people love the show."
He also had the opportunity to meet and chat with the other star of the show, host, model and businesswoman Heidi Klum.
Outside the show, the opportunity to live and work in New York, where he was on a one-year work visa, was ''an amazing opportunity''.
''Now I'm still living in New York and having a great time and trying to pursue my dream.
''It's an interesting experience, it's put me way ahead of my plans.
''It's sped things up a lot.''
He would also keep in touch with the other competitors on the show.
''It's been a great network.
''I had a great time, a great group of friends who all invited me to come visit them at different places, in Miami and San Francisco.''
Of his future, he said he would ''play it by ear''.
For now he was staying with friends in Brooklyn, and enjoying the city.
''Meeting people in New York is always an interesting experience - especially New Yorkers.''
There was another aspect about the city Mr Chambers-Watson was also keen on.
''Oh, mate - food.
''The food in New York is great.''
• The 14th season of Project Runway premieres Thursday at 9.30pm on Vibe.
