Otago Polytechnic School of Fashion third-year student Allison Brooks, of Dunedin, won the award for her entry in the Carvin Collections section. She was also highly commended in the section, which was open to designers of all ages.
Ms Brooks said she was thrilled with her win: "I put all of my time and my energy into designing. Any spare moment of time I have I'm working to earn money to pay for fabric to design with. That's who I am at the moment.
She designed and made the three-piece collection for a class assessment. The assessment required students to design an outfit or outfits for a competition of their choice but they did not have to submit their entry.
"It was our personal choice whether we entered it or not, but I thought 'Why not? Why miss the opportunity?'," Ms Brooks said.
The gala event, held at the Gore Town and Country Club, was a sell-out with more than 600 people attending.
The overall award - The Ensign Award of Excellence - was won by Kerry Wong, of Masterton, for his entry in the collections section. Mr Wong was not at the awards.
Gore designer Andre Johnson won the Westpac Best Southland Designer and Nu Dax Denim section.
This year, a competition for secondary school pupils was introduced. The awards also had a steampunk section.
Judge Jim Geddes of Gore, was delighted with the number and quality of entries in the latter, which was run in two categories, secondary schools and open.
"It's going to get bigger and bigger," he said.
- Sandy Eggleston and Margaret Phillips
