Young Wanganui designer takes second on the Pasifika stage
Second-year Whanganui UCOL fashion student Michelle Smith has won second place in the Men’s Wear section at the
Westfield Style Pasifika fashion show in Auckland.
The competition, held over the weekend, is hotly contested and receives entries from well-known established designers
from around the country.
The catwalk show and awards ceremony take place as part of a stage-show extravaganza that make it the largest and most
innovative indigenous fashion show in the world.
Judges this year include Francis Hooper of WORLD, Tony Milich of Sabatini, Des Rusk of Barkers and Liz Mitchell.
Michelle’s Men’s Wear entry, called I Love NZ used the iconic ‘I Love NZ’ logo in a black white and red print, and
incorporated it into an urban linen suit with asymmetrical shaping.
Fellow Whanganui UCOL student Alice Walter also reached the finals in the Parent and Child section, with entries
featuring a Kiwi combi-van design. Whanganui UCOL Fashion Construction lecturer Sue Walker had entries accepted into the
finals of the Three Piece Collection: Garments for the Day, and the Traditionally Inspired sections.
Last year, Whanganui UCOL fashion student Juliet Newton won the Asia Pasifika category with a Japanese obi sash, and a
silk dressed inspired by the Mount Cook lily.
ENDS