Kassandra Rose Rattrie,
winner of the Invercargill Environment Centre's
Upcycled fashion show
It was an evening of anticipation and excitement at Invercargill Environment Centre's second annual Upcycled fashion show held at the Workingmen's Club on 20 June. 2014
Over 200 people joined in the fun and banter led by inimitable compere Gerry Forde while the judges, Busting Waste columnist Carolyn Dean, Environment Southland Councillor Marion Miller and Venture Southland's Steve Canny were challenged to make decisions about possible prize winners from the high standard of Upcycled entries.
As well as the competition Upcycled section which encouraged people to take ready- made garments and turn them in to high fashion statements, there was the opportunity for second hand clothing shops to parade a variety of restyled garments straight from their racks. This went down a treat with the audience who were obviously on the lookout for bargains as they expressed delight at the possibility of purchasing from stalls which were selling the fashion garments, many featuring sought after labels.
The restyled section was followed by a delicious supper with raffle sales helping boost the fundraising effort, thanks to generous sponsorship from a variety of Invercargill businesses.
"We had a very difficult task deciding the winners because the standard of the garments was so high this year," judge Dean says. "Attention to detail, very interesting accessories and trims, intriguing colour combinations and the variety of materials used from old suitcases to ties, blankets, crochet table cloths, mosquito nets and a world map, all made for interesting questions and answers as we interviewed the designers prior to the show and then finalised judging as models displayed outfits on the cat walk."
"My winning design involves two suitcases which I had had for two years but as I realised I couldn't afford to travel, I cut them up for the event," Southern Institute Of Technology second year Fashion Design course student Kassandra Rose Rattrie says. "I used everything I could from the suitcases as trims on the pants, jacket, bodice and hat including the locks, handle, labels and zips, having fun on the way."
The Environment Centre coordinator and main organiser of the event , Clair Leith, was delighted with the result after all her hard work in the lead up to the second Upcycled fundraising night with profits going to help with the continuing work of the centre in Glengarry Crescent. Staff and volunteers on the night agreed that the atmosphere created by the stall holders, Restyled and Upcycled entrants along with the enthusiastic audience means that a third one is definitely a strong possibility.
Results
Overall Upcycled Winner Kassandra Rose Rattrie
Runner Up Sharleen Kiff
Best use of recycled materials Kay Mortimer
Daywear Brenda Gill
Best Collection Sharleen Kiff
Best construction Kassandra Rose Rattrie
Vintage Vanessa Atkinson
Best accessory Rachael Goldsmith
