Past Star of the Sea Student : Stephanie Pavlou
Australian Grand Prix: Designers fly the chequered flag for fashion
Date
March 13, 2016 – 5:13PM
article by Melissa Singer Stephanie Pavlou
Model Laura Henshaw showcases designer Stephanie Pavlou’s winning dress. Photo: Eddie Jim
With its sharp lines and black-and-white palette, motor racing’s chequered flag is more fashion forward than it has been in decades.
A group of current and former RMIT students needed only to look at the catwalks of Europe, or Melbourne’s own fashion festival last week, for inspiration for their entries in a special design competition jointly run by the university and the Grand Prix Corporation.
The judges’ winner, graduate Stephanie Pavlou, 22, said her own aesthetic, which includes sharp lines and a monochrome scheme, suited the brief perfectly.
For her winning entry, she created a strapless dress with hand-bonded panels of the iconic check to create a 3D effect.
She also included a black-and-white choker, a standout accessory trend for winter 2016.
The dress took about three days to make, which “was a much quicker process than what would have been if I was starting a new collection”.
Pavlou won $1000 and the honour of having her dress modelled at the Glamour on the Grid Grand Prix VIP party on Wednesday night.
Since finishing her studies, she has been entering competitions, styling, blogging, building her Instagram following and applying for design and styling work.
However, ultimately, she would like to start her own label, inspired by some of her favourite fashion names including Alex Perry, Carla Zampatti, Dion Lee, Chanel and Versace.
Her muse is a woman who is “confident [and] wants to showcase that through their clothing, on trend but classic, isn’t afraid to stand out without being over-the-top quirky”.
“They want people to have a second glance at them,” she said.
Pavlou’s winning dress and the other entries are vying for a people’s choice award via the RMIT Facebook page.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/australian-grand-prix-designers-fly-the-chequered-flag-for-fashion-20160313-gnhn4h.html#ixzz42pds3Lb4
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National Designer Award finalists unveiled
31 Jan 2014
The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) has revealed which six local designers will vie for the Tiffany & Co. National Designer Award.
The finalists – Bùl (VIC), Christina Exie (VIC), Haryono Setiadi (NSW), Livia Arena (VIC), Pageant (VIC) and Strateas.Carlucci (VIC) – will present their latest collections at a VIP presentation at this year’s festival.
The 2014 winner will be selected by a judging panel comprising: VAMFF CEO Graeme Lewsey, and managing director of Tiffany & Co., Glen Schlehuber, Harper’s Bazaar editor, Kellie Hush, David Jones group executive – merchandise, Donna Player and 2013 award winner, From Britain.
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