UCOL Fashion graduate shows at NZ Fashion Week

16 August 2012

UCOL Fashion graduate shows at NZ Fashion Week

Designs by Whanganui UCOL Bachelor of Fashion graduate Deryn Schmidt will feature in a solo show during New Zealand Fashion Week.

The big week – the highlight of the year’s fashion calendar – will be held at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland from 3 to 7 September.

Wellington-based Deryn will showcase her collection – described by fashion commentators as “exquisitely tailored” - in her first NZFW solo show, following an “outstanding” debut in last year’s New Generation show. Deryn received praise for her ‘Joy of Life’ collection in 2011 and is cited as one to watch again this year.

Deryn has a strong preference for natural fibres to design with, assisting to create a finished garment that both looks and feels great. Her natural love of colour and stand out prints are also evident throughout each collection.

Her passion for the fashion industry started at a very young age. She initially learned crafts and sewing from her Nana, then went on to complete the three year Bachelor of Fashion degree at Wanganui Polytechnic, now Whanganui UCOL.

She then spent ten years working her way up the fashion ladder, targeting fashion houses in New Zealand and Britain to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to turn her childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer into reality.

Her dream was realised when the Deryn Schmidt label was launched in 2009 with her debut range for Spring-Summer 2010/11, titled Growth.

Programme Leader for Whanganui UCOL’s School of Fashion, Amanda Rayner, says Deryn’s selection for a solo show in New Zealand Fashion Week is a great achievement. “It was also great to see the very successful debut of another graduate, Kelsey Genna, during Wellington Fashion Week in April this year.”

ENDS

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