TAIERI College pupils are stepping into the ring with their fifth Wearable Arts Competition next week.
The two-yearly fashion contest for year 7-13 pupils will be held in Coronation Hall on September 18.
Organiser and textile teacher Brenda Brook said the theme was an ''old-fashioned, un-PC circus''.
''It'll be a fantastic night,'' she said.
Models showing off the designs would be interspersed with dance performances and ''slapstick'' turns from the show's presenters, drama pupils Dougal Braid and Liam Johnston.
This year 35 entrants from Taieri College would be joined by a small number of contestants from Outram and Elmgrove primary schools.
The categories the pupils could enter were ''fantasy'', which covered fairytale-like creations, and ''recycled'' which covered costumes recycled from other materials. Designs included magicians, clowns and other circus-related characters.
Taieri College head girl Kimberley Bates said she was ''really excited'' about the show.
''It'll be lots of fun.''
Her entry in the fantasy category, My inside out celebrated her dual Samoan and New Zealand heritage, she said.
Mrs Brook said some of the pupils participating were gaining credits for NCEA, and past entrants had gone on to art school or fashion school.
''[The show's] a lovely opportunity for them.''
Winners and place-getters would receive an array of prizes, including cash prizes, vouchers and cups.
• The Wearable Arts Competition will be held in Coronation Hall from 7 pm on Thursday, September 18. Tickets are available from Taieri College: $12 for adults, $6 for children.
- Elena McPhee
