36 looks in 36 colours face the judges

2017 Colour of Fashion will see 10 fashion undergrads chosen to show their work at New Zealand Fashion Week and 15 to travel to the heart of colour - India.

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Inspired by a brief which transported their imaginations to the fashion capitals of the world, the 36 undergrads lining up before the judges at this year’s Resene NZ Fashion Tech Colour of Fashion Judging Day are truly international.

Youhan Khosho was born in Syria, Ace Espino was born in Laguna, Philippines, and Roi Nu was born in Burma. They join 33 Kiwi-born fashion designers in training, who are presenting their designs as part of their academic course work.

All have one focus: they want to be world-class.

They are vying for the chance to see their work turn heads at New Zealand’s pinnacle fashion event – and lead the Resene Designer Runway four times - in late August, early September.

And 15 will show their work in India as part of an ongoing scholarships programme. See below.

The words of the brief are clear. Ordinary won’t do. The judges are looking for colourful looks 'that shimmer and swish, and whisper secrets … that refuse to bow to the convention of ordinary'.

2017 Colour of Fashion

Resene invests in this project not only to give emerging New Zealand designers an exciting career break but also to give their new fashion colour palette a fitting chance to shine.

All 36 lengths of silk in the project reflect a Resene paint colour and that colour is central to the student’s design inspiration. Watch for: Malarkey, Zinzan, Suzie Q, Fugitive and She’ll Be Right.

This is the fourth consecutive year Resene has joined with the New Zealand Institute of Fashion Technology (NZ Fashion Tech) in this unique education collaboration. A winner will be chosen by the judges to receive a special Resene prize which includes tickets to high-end Fashion Week shows and a Tailor’s Form, an essential tool-of-trade for a fashion designer, custom-made in fabric matching the winning Resene colour.

Resene NZ Fashion Tech Colour of Fashion judges include Doris de Pont, Resene’s Karen Warman, and Academic Director at NZ Fashion Tech Val Marshall-Smith.

The winner will be revealed at Fashion Week.

INDIA STORY:

Colours span oceans

In 2014, 2015, 2016 and now in 2017 NZ Fashion Tech Diploma students have been asked to create a work of fashion from silk as part of the Resene NZ Fashion Tech Colour of Fashion project.

Once originated in New Zealand, patterns are taken to India each year by those NZ Fashion Tech students who win Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia.

As part of six weeks of collaborative learning in India, arranged by the Giles Brooker Group who lead New Zealand-India education exchanges in the tertiary sector, the NZ Fashion Tech students re-create the garments from a locally-sourced silk sari for a ‘grande finale’ fashion show hosted by the Bannari Amman Institute of Technology at their vast and modern university campus in Sathyamangalam.

In 2017, NZ Fashion Tech has won 15 Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia. So 15 looks made from silk, including some selected for New Zealand Fashion Week in Auckland in August, will first be seen in India in July.

Director of NZ Fashion Tech Val Marshall-Smith says: “This group will take the total number of students from NZ Fashion Tech who’ve been given this exceptional opportunity to 59. The experience is so immense and empowering for these young people. We're certain it will enhance their careers and their lives in many different ways.”

Next article - Travelling the silk road

Creative flair, a stunning colour palette, and exquisite silk... these three elements come together in the Resene NZ Fashion Tech Colour of Fashion competition – now in its fourth year – with winners gracing the runway at this month’s NZ Fashion Week. We give you a sneak peek at some of the winning designs... more

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