Wellington teenager Clara Bosshard has been awarded the inaugural iD Dunedin Fashion Scholarship.
The award includes a full fee scholarship for the first year of study at Otago Polytechnic.
Miss Bosshard (17), who has attended Wellington High School, will begin her first year of study next year.
She said last night she was thrilled to have received the award.
"It’s so amazing," Miss Bosshard said.
"When I found out I just wanted to scream, I was so excited.
"I always wanted to go to Otago Polytechnic as it has such a great reputation for fashion and producing fantastic designers, and this scholarship will help so much."
Her passion for fashion design had come from a love for the arts and she said she was particularly invested in sustainable fashion.
It was a passion which had formed during the past few years, Miss Bosshard said.
"When I finally realised that fashion was what I wanted to do I became fully focused on it," she said.
"I want to create art, but without an impact on the environment."
iD Dunedin Fashion Week deputy chairwoman and Otago Polytechnic Professor of Fashion Dr Margo Barton said Miss Bosshard’s portfolio had displayed an impressive level of sophistication evident in her design techniques.
"I’m excited to watch Clara’s talent develop during her time at Otago Polytechnic as she grows and shapes her design aesthetic," she said.
The polytechnic received about 10 applications for the scholarship from throughout New Zealand and lecturers were "really impressed with the standard" of the applicants’ work.
Miss Bosshard was awarded the scholarship at last night’s 25th anniversary of the Otago Polytechnic Collections show.
Dr Barton said the scholarship was created to acknowledge the ties between iD Dunedin and Otago Polytechnic, and the organisations’ commitment to advancing sustainability in fashion.
Miss Bosshard would also be given the opportunity to attend iD Fashion Week next year and meet designers involved in the show.