Polytechnic graduate wins Italian fashion prize

Otago Polytechnic graduate wins Italian fashion prize

From New Zealand to Italy – designer Roxanna Zamani is making a name for herself amongst some of the world’s most renowned fashion aficionados. 

The 24 year old Otago Polytechnic fashion graduate won the Wedding Italian Style Award, worth 2500 Euros, in the prestigious Mittelmoda Fashion Awards, in Gorizia, Italy, last week.

Her design was awarded the best wedding gown creation which combines innovation and tradition. Her collection, "Incongruous", featured repeated and draped material, creating pieces with architectural structure softened by romantic form.

“This is an incredible achievement for Roxanna, and the start of a successful career in fashion,” said School of Fashion Academic Leader Margo Barton. “This is also a strong reflection of the high caliber of design students that graduate from the Polytechnic.” 

Ms Barton attended the awards as a juror for the main prizes and judged the Otago Polytechnic Scholarship Award, presented for showing innovation in the use of material and methods.

The eight-week scholarship to study in Dunedin went to Dutch woman Marielle Van de Ven (25), a Royal College of Art, London, graduate.

Following the completion of a Bachelor of Design (Fashion) in 2009, Ms Zamani was first noticed when she was selected to show at the 2010 iD Fashion Week, and the iD Emerging Designer Awards in Dunedin. 

Fellow Otago Polytechnic graduate Sophie Hardy also showed her collection, "Possession Obsession", at the Mittelmoda Awards, which caught the attention of "big fashion companies", including H&M Swedish Clothing, Ms Barton said.

The success of the Fashion programme mirrors the growth of Design at Otago Polytechnic with the School now hosting more than 500 students from around New Zealand and the world, and offering degrees in Fashion, Product, Communications and Interior Design.

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