Fresh from showing a collection in New York, fashion designer Amelia Boland is full of inspiration to start her own line.
The Otago Polytechnic graduate was invited to show at Nolcha Fashion Week, held during last month's New York Fashion Week.
The four-day event for independent and emerging designers was "great" and she loved the experience.
Her 10-piece collection, half of which was shown during iD Dunedin Fashion Week, featured alongside swimwear, lingerie, jewellery, and womenswear items from nine other designers.
"There was quite a lot of variety in my show. [It] was really cool," Miss Boland said.
She received great feedback from those at the show, particularly fashion bloggers and photographers.
"It gives me this huge confidence.
"I really want my own line; it's given me the drive to do it myself. I'm looking at setting up my own business."
While admitting she was "jaded" about showing the collection for the third time, and that she did not get the opportunity to meet as many influential people as she had hoped, taking a gamble on the trip and coming away inspired "was worth it".
"That's all I really could have hoped for," she said.
Travelling to New York was a dream come true and she was pleased to receive support from people in New Zealand to get there. She was now determined to focus her clothing on the local market.
"You go to a city like New York and you feel so tiny, and it makes you appreciate home and feel like you can own something here."
