Wearable Arts Show 2017

‘Hold your head held high, eyes to the front, heel then toe!’ 

These were the words of encouragement to our Middle College boys and girls from professional ‘people mover’ Kiri Whitford-Joynt from ID with Style and Red Studio. For the sixth year, Kiri, generously gave of her time over two days to prepare our students for this year’s Wearable Arts Show and organise them back stage on the night. Under her guidance, art stepped out on to the catwalk during a spectacular show as Years 7 -8, along with further entrants from Years 9-10,  confidently ‘strutted their stuff’ in a range of garments they had designed and constructed themselves.  With almost 80 costumes on show, close to 200 students taking part and plenty of prizes up for grabs across six sections, the excitement was high in the weeks leading up to the show and ticket sales were brisk! There wasn’t a spare seat on the night! 

The girls were as enthusiastic as ever in their preparation for the show with a sea of stitches, fabric glue and things that glittered, creating some fantastic designs for the selected models to show on the night. The boys were a little more reticent this year, but it was still clear that gender is no barrier to fashion design! Each and every girl and boy stepped into the spotlight with confidence; Kiri’s coaching clearly paying dividends! 

 The catwalk items were interspersed with colourful dance displays choreographed for Year 7 -8 by our Year 11-13 dance students under the guidance of Mr Ichiro Harada; with Mr Geordan Wilcox working with the Year 8 boy dancers. The combination of fashion and dance made this a fantastic show case of student-inspired creativity. We thank the senior students for their commitment and leadership. 

Media personality, Wendy Meyer, was once again the continuity announcer setting a relaxed yet professional tone for the performers. Like Kiri, she has given an amazing six years of support to this show. 

The two judges this year were Belinda Watt, HOD Fashion Design at Whitecliffe College and Liz Farr, also from Whitecliffe. Judging was not an enviable task and took lengthy deliberation! The judges said they found judging particularly difficult and were pleased to be able to refer to the judging criteria: 

• Creativity, zest and innovation
• How well the garment represents the category
• Overall originality
• And finally the presentation and construction of the design. 

While the judges were mulled over their task, Year 13 dance student, Erin Meek performed beautifully, clearly demonstrating her years of dance experience. Erin assisted with the choreography for the younger students. 

This was a superb evening greatly enjoyed by a huge audience. Our sincere thanks to Miss Ashleigh McLean and Miss Kristen Schweder who stepped into the shoes that Mrs Leisha Slade, the founder of Saint Kentigern WAS’ left to fill. They were big shoes to fill but the pair, with support from Head of Performing Arts, Ms Jane Horder, can now relax knowing that they, too, have done a fantastic job! 

In the words of Middle College Principal, Mr Duncan McQueen, as he summed up the evening, ‘WOW!’

WEARABLE ARTS SHOW PRIZEWINNERS 2017

YEAR 7 AND 8 SUPREME WINNER
Millie Eaton (In and Out for Coffee)

YEAR 9 AND 10 SUPREME WINNER
Emma Savory and Olivia Bartlett (Wool in Wonderland)

KIWIANA AND PASIFIKA
Year 7 and 8
Neve Webster (Sugar Rivalry)

Year 9 and 10
Caitlyn McKenzie (The Death of the Pacific)

PRE-LOVED AVANT GARDE
Year 7 and 8
Millie Eaton (In and out for Coffee)

Year 9 and 10
Emma Savory and Olivia Bartlett (Wool in Wonderland)

DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD
Charlotte Hayes (Paris Icon)

SCIENCE FICTION
Neve Winterman-Duffy (Ruby-Soho)

A MAN’S WORLD
Jacob Attwood and Elijah Wong (Nuts and Bolts)

ILLUMNIATION
Year 7 and 8
Emerson McKinley and Emma Straka (With a Burst of Colour)

Year 9 and 10
Crystal Chen (Midnight in Spring)

HIGHLY COMMENDED
1             Chloe Muldoon
2             Sienna Smith
3             Niamh Bilsborough
4             Lucy Adamson
5             Bella Franicevic
6             Lia Eliahu
7             Mia Harries and Sophie Spencer
8             Charlotte Cornwall
9             Jacob Johnston and Josh Evangelidakis
10           Chloe Hughes, Lucia Tang and Rebecca Stevenson

Our Invited Judges
Liz Farr is a graduate of the London College of Fashion and has been lecturing in the Fashion Design department at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design since 2005. She specialises in patternmaking and garment construction. 

Belinda Watt joined Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in 1990. Her current creative work has a focus on sustainable and ethical practices, including natural dyeing and hand weaving and, she also works as a freelance designer specialising in tailored and couture designs.

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