Aoraki Polytechnic fashion design students Gregory Wiseman-Spence and Victoria Beach both tasted success at the glamour fashion event held in Gore at the weekend.
Wiseman-Spence, a second-year student, won the Nu Dax Denim Award, taking away a $1000 prize, while Beach, a first-year student, was runner-up in the streetwear section, winning $200.
Wiseman-Spence (19) said winning the denim section ‘‘felt amazing''.
He anticipated he would receive more recognition from the polytechnic and the media following his success.
‘‘Now I've won an award people will realise I'm not just doing design as a pasttime - it's something I'm dedicated to.''
He said he would probably enter the fashion awards again, following the advice of World fashion label co-owner and awards judge Francis Hooper.
‘‘He said to enter everything because you never know what you're going to get or where it'll take you.''
He recommended other young designers do the same.
Beach (18) was surprised to win a prize, as her entry was the first garment she had designed and made.
The experience meant she now had more confidence in herself as a designer, she said.
‘‘It reinforces that I can design something that will be noticed.
‘‘It made me even more proud that I didn't listen to what others said and designed what I wanted. I'll keep going with my gut feeling.''
Aoraki Polytechnic fashion design tutor Janice Friend said the students enjoyed seeing their ‘‘wonderful designs'' on the catwalk at the awards' gala evening on Saturday night.
Participating in the show was a good experience for them, she said.
They had gained more confidence, had the chance to see the creations of other aspiring fashion designers and learnt from how the judges selected the winners.
‘‘It's always a good trip; it's a learning trip. There are about 42 garments in each section and only one winner and unfortunately you can't all be winners.''
Nine designs by Aoraki Polytechnic students were accepted to be exhibited in the show this year.
Mrs Friend said the students seemed to have grown from the experience.
‘‘We're very proud of all their attempts to hit the jackpot.''
Beating Beach in the streetwear section was Dunedin designer Elise Barnes, who also won the Young Designer award.
Laura Marshall (21), of Dunedin, won the top award, The Ensign Award of Excellence. Marshall is a former Otago Polytechnic fashion design student who now works for fashion firm Company of Strangers.
Her design, inspired by a box jellyfish, also won the menswear section, taking her total prize winnings to $11,000.
The standard of the designs at Saturday's gala evening was very high, executive producer of the awards Heather Paterson said.
The annual event saw a record number of emerging New Zealand fashion designers' ensembles sweeping down the catwalk at the Gore Town and Country Club Stadium.
‘‘It's exciting to see how much creative talent we have in New Zealand,'' Mrs Paterson said.
Judging the event was Hooper, designer Charmaine Reveley, Sydneybased creator of Lino magazine Rex Turnbull, Doosh designer Theresa Brady and Christchurch hairdresser Mike Hamel.
By Cerisse Denhardt.