The 21-year-old's embellished three-piece ensemble, which she said was inspired by a box jellyfish, won the menswear section of the annual Hokonui Fashion Design Awards and the overall The Ensign award of excellence.
Ms Marshall, who won a total of $11,000 in prizes, was overwhelmed with her win, describing it as "unreal".
Now working for fashion company Company of Strangers, Ms Marshall graduated bachelor of fashion design from Otago Polytechnic last year.
Her winning ensemble was created as part of her 2008 portfolio.
She said she was drawn to designing clothes for men, partly because there were not many menswear designers in New Zealand, and because the women's wear design field was "very competitive".
"I'm not a very competitive person."
This year's awards attracted a record number of entries, executive producer Heather Paterson said.
In all, 298 garments were submitted, and 250 made it to the catwalk at the Gore Town and Country Club Stadium.
The judging panel comprised World fashion label co-owner Francis Hooper, Sydney-based creative director of Lino magazine Rex Turnbull, designer Charmaine Reveley, Doosh designer Theresa Brady, and Christchurch hairdresser Mike Hamel.
Head judge Hooper said the choice of overall winner might be "a bit controversial".
Other section winners were more colourful, but Marshall's design was "a cut above the rest", he said.
He described the ensemble as "quietly brilliant", and the tailoring and finishing of the cardigan, singlet and trousers as "exquisite".
Results. -
Street Wear: Elise Barnes 1, Victoria Beach 2, Hollie Perniskie merit.
Knitted: Ruth Bucknell 1, Marita Green 2, Viv Tamblyn merit.
Denim: Gregory Wiseman Spence 1, Amy van Luijk 2, Alison Hills merit.
Wool: Roberta Lee Davis 1, Christine Webb 2, Nikki McAllum merit.
Menswear: Laura Marshall 1, Campbell Turner 2, Rachel Webb merit.
Collections: Carla Yeung 1, Campbell Turner 2, Sophie Hardy merit.
Kiwiana: Margaret Lewis 1, Aaron Brensell 2.
Avant-Garde: Marie Kelly 1, Carly Lewis 2, Pagan Banfield merit.
Nightlife: Charmaine Cowlishaw 1, Ashley Franklin 2, Jeannie Macdonald merit.
Major awards: designer, Claire Miller; young designer, Elise Barnes; The Ensign excellence, Laura Marshall.
- The Ensign
