Fashion students best dressed at 2016 Australian Grand Prix

Students were invited to design an outfit inspired by motor racing’s distinctive black and white chequered flag for one of the 2016 Australian Grand Prix Ambassadors to wear both for media opportunities and to the Grand Prix Glamour on the Grid Launch Party.

The ultimate winner was recent Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours) graduate Stephanie Pavlou, whose body fitting strapless dress took inspiration from her overall graduate collection and featured a matching neckpiece.

“I was lucky enough to feature in a special story in The Age newspaper, that included my design being worn by event Ambassador Laura Henshaw,” Pavlou said.

“She also wore my design to the ‘Glamour on The Grid’ launch party later on in the week- it was such a wonderful experience.”

Five very different designs made the finals - showcasing a range of design and making abilities; from flat-bed knitting and beading, to digital textile printing and hand bonded embellishment.

Participating students came from various fashion design and technology programs – including the Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours), the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology and Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology).  

Each design team was also assisted throughout the creative and production process by RMIT teaching and technical staff.

A special People’s Choice competition also ran on RMIT’s Facebook page where the public could vote for their favourite outfit.  

Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology) students Diana Nguyen, Madison Dormer and Jasper Goerner were the winners. 

Their clever fully knitted two-piece outfit took inspiration from the traditional pit-stop jump suits – a fun take on the racer look while also incorporating the checkered flag into the knit design.

In addition to the fashion design activity, the schools research area the Centre for Advanced Materials and Performance Textiles (CAMPT) was also involved in the event, hosting a space within RMIT’s Grand Prix Industry Innovation Precinct Marquee.  

CAMPT brings together the schools textile technology researchers to investigate the application of advanced textiles materials in high-performance applications including high-performance comfort textiles, defence apparel and wool performance fabrics.

Over the four days the team of Amit Jadhav, Vinod Kadam and Kiri Delly met with representatives from an amazingly diverse range of industries. 

They spoke directly to those working in emergency and protective services; defence; nursing and health care; mining; and oil and gas, gave the team some great insight into what these sectors need in innovative products and where textile technology and research could be of benefit.

RMIT’s unique two plus one fashion courses allows students to start their studies with the two year hands-on Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology and complete one additional year of advanced technical studies to gain a Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology). 

Story: Jordan Di Stefano and Scott Knight