Congratulations to the talented fashion, millinery, hairdressing and beauty students who received awards at Kangan Institute's end of year fashion show, Empower, yesterday.
Fourteen student awards were presented at the event which showcased more than 80 runway looks before an audience of over 300 students, industry guests, family and friends.
One of the most anticipated awards for the evening was Best Runway Collection (Judges' Choice) which was sponsored by Mrecht and includes an internship with Australian fashion designer Tiffany Treloar as part of the prize.
The award was presented to Advanced Diploma of Fashion Design and Merchandising (MST60116) student Neil Harvey who showcased a menswear collection at the event.
'I Scream' was designed by Neil Harvey to reflect his personality.
"This award is an amazing opportunity for me. I've always wanted to work with a big brand and work my way up. It's ideal that I get to do this right off the bat and right after school," said Mr. Harvey.
"My collection 'I Scream' is a colourful menswear collection that's based on who I am – loud and over the top. As I designed the collection I kept seeing myself more and more in it and that's why I've grown to love it so much."
Another highly anticipated award – Best Runway Collection (People's Choice) – was presented to advanced diploma student Natasha Lazic who received an internship with award-winning Australian bridal and red carpet wear designer JASONGRECH as part of the prize.
Natasha Lazic presented a collection titled 'Untied' at Empower.
"I'm so happy and privileged to receive this award and an internship. This opportunity to work with JASONGRECH is the perfect fit for me and it's an exciting chance to apply the skills I've learnt at Kangan Institute, learn more about industry and go further in my career," said Ms. Lazic, who presented a collection named 'Untied'.
"I chose to study at Kangan Institute to learn how to run my own festival fashion and couture street wear business. The teachers have taught me so much and have given me many opportunities to showcase at fashion shows, enter competitions and connect with industry."
Kangan Institute's CEO Trevor Schwenke congratulated the students, and highlighted the important contributions of industry partners in the overall vocational education and training journey.
"Well done to all our award winners and participating students put on an amazing fashion runway show. Our students' achievements reflect skills, knowledge and experience gained over the past year and there's no doubt they all have bright paths ahead of them," said Mr. Schwenke.
"I'd like to thank everyone who supported our students throughout their learning journeys, especially the industry partners who supported this show and the student awards.
"Kangan Institute's close collaboration with industry makes all the difference in enabling our students to gain real world experience and industry connections to enhance their future careers."
Held at Richmond campus, Kangan Institute's annual fashion show traditionally features designs from all student cohorts, including VET in Schools, diploma, advanced diploma and graduate collections.
Fully catered by Kangan Institute's hospitality, commercial cookery and retail baking students, this year's event included hair and beauty students providing styling and make-up for the runway, pop-up beauty and barber bars, pop-up fashion displays and live demonstrations at the Fashion and Textile Hub.
Other awards presented were:
Kangan Institute is a division of Bendigo Kangan Institute, one of Australia's largest TAFE providers. Through campuses in Broadmeadows, Docklands, Richmond, Moonee Ponds and Essendon, Kangan Institute provides training services to students, industries and businesses throughout metropolitan Melbourne and beyond.
Based at the Richmond campus, Kangan Institute's Centre for Fashion and Creative Industries features a world-class faculty with extensive industry experience and industry connections. The boutique campus offers training programs in fashion design and business, interior design, millinery, and hair and beauty, with an on-site Fashion and Textile Hub servicing students and industry alike.
