Fashion student wins section of Australian Wool Award
25 March 2004
Kangan Batman TAFE third year fashion design student, Cindy Mansfield, is the winner of the Open Design Active Sportswear section of the Australian Wool Awards 2004 held in Armidale, NSW recently.
Cindy, 27, from Reservoir, is studying the Advanced Diploma of Textiles, Clothing and Footwear, and won the award for her design for a women’s golf outfit, made in wool of course, consisting of a wrap skirt, fitted top and a tam-o-shanter hat.
The “Tee Off” outfit consisted of a top of wool jersey and a beret and skirt of Australian alpaca wool. There are also hidden design features within the top and the skirt. Hidden under the skirt is a pair of wool jersey sports briefs which Cindy also designed and made.
At the Gala Evening Cindy had the opportunity to meet the judges, designer, Jonathon Ward, haute couture designer, Anthony Leigh Dower, knitwear designer, Amanda Ducker and high profile hairdresser, Joh Bailey.
Cindy also met and talked to Akira Isagowa, an internationally known Australian designer which she describes as adding to a very exciting night for her. “He was very interested in hearing about our students when I mentioned he was promoted by my teacher, Merrilyn Partos, as a great role model for us.”
The judges chose the winning design by looking for high fashion awareness in colour and design, technical skills, wearability, accessories and portfolio presentation.
Cindy also plans to enter Gown Of The Year and the 2004 Australian Fashion Design Awards. “I love my competitions and I'm extremely passionate with my work,” said Cindy.
She has always been interested in design and sewing, remembering her first effort at the age of four when still at kindergarten, being a leather party hat. When she entered an Oaks Day competition three years ago she realised that she needed to learn the technical skills necessary to sew well.
Cindy took up a pattern making short course then when family circumstances changed and she had to enter the workforce decided a formal qualification was needed. She has undertaken work experience in fields as diverse as a uniform manufacturer and the Australian Ballet.
After completing her course Cindy aims to obtain work as a Patternmaker or in Product development and work towards her own label. Cindy is interested in becoming an proficient at pattern making so she can translate design into the finished product.
Cindy was also nominated as Outstanding Student in Certificate IV in Clothing Production for 2002. Cindy is proudly supported in her endeavours by her husband and young daughter.
Her winning outfit is now on tour with the rest of the winning creations in the Awards and will be presented at 35 more fashion parades around Australia before being returned to Cindy.
