New Zealand Fashion Week is the most anticipated event in the fashion industry of New Zealand. Three creative Sancta Maria College students were selected as participants in the annual Walk the Line 2019. Walk the Line is a fashion show competition organized by Raise Up which is a youth programme run by YMCA.
Each year, young designers from secondary schools in New Zealand apply and 60 talented students are selected to take part in both the fashion show and fashion competition held during New Zealand Fashion Week. This year, Sancta Maria College was delighted to have Phoebe McLennan (Year 12), Marina De Silva (Year 13) and Bo Min Cho (Year 13) selected for this year’s Walk the Line event.
The day began with a very early start with all models and designers arriving at Aotea Square in Auckland City at 6:30am on the September 1. The flurry of hairspray and makeup brushes was seen at every corner of the backstage area as models were prepared for the start of the show at 10am.
The doors finally opened and the excited audience filled the seats and the models breathed a collective sigh, ready to begin the 2019 Walk the Line Fashion Show. The show consisted of categories for High Fashion, Open Design, Sustainability, Streetwear and We Are Not What You See.
Marina was entered into the ‘We are Not What You See’ category, representing her Filipino culture with her garment. Phoebe was competed in the Open category and Bo Min was in the Streetwear category, her design inspired by suits worn in street fashion with various fabrics contrasting symmetrically.
The grand finale of the show saw all models on the runway and after the awards, it was a wrap on the exciting experience that allowed the young, hopeful designers and models a taste of the fashion industry. Overall, it was an inspiring experience and we hope that it encourages students who have a passion for fashion and design to enter in future years.
Bo Min Cho
