EIT fashion students showed what they were made of modelling their garments at their end-of-year event Address held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House Plaza.
The evening showcased the design talents, pattern-making prowess and sewing skills of 14 first-year and nine final-year students enrolled on EIT’s Certificate in Fashion Apparel programme.
“The standard of the clothing continues to be very high, and it was really exciting to see the individuality of students reflected in their work,” says Christina Rhodes, who has coordinated the annual fashion show every year since EIT launched its first fashion programme two decades ago.
“Everyone involved in the event, from the hairdressers out back to the lighting man in front, contributed flair and feeling to produce a spectacular fashion show.”
First-year students modelled their cult-couture, street-wear and portfolio garments on the catwalk. Those completing the two-year certificate programme were each required to design a competition piece and a collection of three garments for their portfolios.
EIT hairdressing and beauty therapy students played their part in the show’s success, styling hair and applying make-up for the catwalk models.
“It was very much about achieving a total look for the runway – something second-year students learned from attending New Zealand Fashion Week earlier this year. They saw for themselves how important it is that the model’s hair, make-up and accessories work with every outfit.”
EIT screen production students filmed Address, so that students finishing the fashion certificate programme left with a DVD illustrating their work.
As part of the programme, students explore opportunities in the fashion industry. Graduates are now pursuing a variety of directions. Some will further their studies, while others will consider event management, establishing their own labels, work in fashion production or seek positions as pattern-makers.
“Those heading into production may find themselves working at a computer liaising with manufacturers in China. There are jobs in the fashion industry that many people won’t even know exist.”
Christina says the two-year certificate, now in its third year, is proving to be a well-established pathway into the fashion industry.”