Otago Polytechnic students Laura Bennett, Letitia Powell and Kimberly Ramsey were selected earlier this year to show their graduate collections in the Brother-sponsored show at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre.
The graduates spent the following months expanding and perfecting their collections to eight fashion looks, ready for the nation's stage.
All three were enthusiastic about the experience.
''After months of hard work, the show just flew by. I'm really happy and amazed with how it all came together,'' Miss Ramsey said.
Otago Polytechnic academic leader of fashion Dr Margo Barton said the show, attended by about 500 people, was ''inspirational''.
''To see such a diverse range of design talent, of all ages, it was incredible.''
Fashion lecturer Pip McQuillan said the ''phones came out'' when the Otago graduates' work was on stage.
And Miss Bennett, who describes her collection as ''an invitation to escape the digital realm into the solace and wonder of nature'', was elated with the positive reception, including on social media.
''The social media reactions were so instant. We are backstage so we have no idea how our work is coming across on the runway.''
She was also impressed by the ''amazing'' standard of the rest of the show.
''As an emerging designer it was so cool to be involved, to be backstage among industry professionals.''
New Zealand Fashion Week finishes this weekend.
-By Brittany Pooley
