Established in 1988, the Hokonui Fashion Awards celebrated its 35th milestone with the 2023 event held recently in Gore. Thirteen Years 12 and 13 students from St Peter's submitted exceptional design entries, some achieving high-standing results.

The Hokonui Fashion Awards have firmly established their reputation as the longest-standing event of its kind in New Zealand. Every year, these awards serve as a platform to showcase the creative talents of amateur designers from across the nation, drawing participants from all corners of the country.

St Peter's students have actively participated since 2021, guided by their mentor and teacher, Mrs Charlotte Remmerswaal. Her expertise has provided invaluable support to the students throughout the intricate journey of ideation and creation within the fashion course at St Peter's, Cambridge.

The fashion course leads students through the entire design process, commencing with a mood board and encompassing design research, drawing, testing, toiling, fitting, fabric testing, pattern adaptation/creation, and culminating in constructing a final outfit for the catwalk.

The task posed a challenge to students, pushing them to create something unique and step outside their comfort zones. Demonstrating resilience, perseverance, motivation, and dedication, students honed their problem-solving skills to devise solutions for their final designs and achieve a high-quality finish.

Year 13 students also incorporated 'applied design' elements into their garments, collaborating with other subject areas within the Technology Department to enhance their projects. This interaction with field experts expanded opportunities for students to receive specialized feedback and resources, including 3D printing, patchwork/quilting, and growing and drying kombucha scoby's.

This year, St Peter's students tasted fashion award success in the fashion awards. Ashley Sutherland  (Year 12) earned the School Merit Award for her outstanding submission in the Streetwear category, while Saskia Heald's (Year 12) design garnered attention on the Seven Sharp News programme—an indication of the awards' growing impact.

Ashley's design incorporated modern streetwear elements with electrical and boning features. The fabric presented challenges, where stitching errors could result in holes throughout. The design itself necessitated threading structural bones into the pants to achieve the exaggerated silhouette. Ashley drew inspiration from concrete stairwells and the art of graffiti in New York City.

Saskia's design began with upcycling existing items, including handbags, curtains, and vinyl records. She utilised the school's laser cutting machine to craft guitar picks, which she threaded onto a wire collar that she welded together.

For a full list of winners from the 2023 Hokonui Fashion Design Awards - click here.

The group were also excited to hear that several St Peter's student entries made it through to appear at Auckland Fashion Week, featuring in the Walk the Line fashion show later this term. This show is New Zealand's most prominent fashion show for young designers.

St Peter's students Tom Cresswell (Year 13), Emma Thompson (Year 12), Maddi Maber (Year 12), Kita Walker (Year 12), and Savanna Bourke (Year 13) join Ashely Sutherland (Year 12) will model their creations on the catwalk in Auckland.

The Auckland Fashion Week event runs from Tuesday, 29 August, to Saturday, 2 September. St Peter's student entries will be modelled on the final day, showing at 9.00 am on Saturday. To find out more and purchase tickets, click here.