Fledgling designer Tessa Paaymans chose garments created while studying at EIT in showcasing her work at the recent New York Fashion Week.

Discovered by international catwalk show producers Oxford Fashion Studio, the creative 21-year-old from Hastings was stunned and thrilled to be invited to take part in one of the world’s foremost fashion events.

Oxford Fashion Studio has worked with some of the industry’s greats, including Tessa’s fashion hero Alexander McQueen, and she views  the opportunity to be seen at New York Fashion Week as a major jump start for her career.

Aiming to launch her own label, Tessa believes it will have helped getting her name out there in the
competitive world of fashion and networking with buyers and media at the show. EIT helped finance the trip, covering the cost of sending her garments to the Big Apple.

Tessa presented six outfits in the Conceptual Design category at New York Fashion Week and four of them were created at EIT where she studied for the two-year Certificate in Fashion Apparel.
Two of the looks she chose to feature were from her final-year EIT collection, The Day After the
Future, inspired by Aeon Flux, a sci-fi film starring Charlize Theron. Attracted by futuristic trends, she incorporated creative materials and techniques, making garments using PVC, fibreglass, sequins and silks to win the supreme award in her class.

One of the outfits chosen for New York teamed silver-sequinned hot pants with a fitted and zipped
electric blue jacket. Theatrical details included a chunky quilted collar and a pleated cape-like effect
over the single sleeve.

Another of her EIT looks, Just Shoot Me, won the Silver section at the Hokonui Fashion Show in 2013.

Tessa’s outstanding success underlines the value of EIT’s fashion apparel programmes as a pathway into the fashion industry, says programme coordinator Cheryl Downie.

“Over the two years, students learn about apparel production, machinist skills, pattern drafting, fashion illustration, production skills, garment production and managing small businesses.

“We feel Tessa is on the verge of something big and ideaschool Fashion is very proud to have helped
her future.”

After graduating from EIT, Tessa moved to Wellington where she is studying for a diploma in costume construction at New Zealand’s drama school, Toi Whakaari.

Enjoying bringing a character to life, Tessa says, “I’m a bit crazy and I want to have fun.”