"They really had to get together and discuss it, to justify their decisions - they really picked up the process, which was awesome."
The number of standout designs had gone from a handful of amazing pieces a few years ago, to 20 or 30 high-quality garments. "Every age bracket has stepped up."
Dancers from Born To Move studio made the evening even more exciting - providing lively entertainment between categories.
"They were awesome. It's quite difficult for dancers who are used to a stage ... to do something on a catwalk measuring 2m by 20m that keeps people interested; they totally nailed it."
Winners:
?Breakers Café and Bar Junior Designer
1st: Lucy, Neve and Sinclair - Haumoana School. African Elephant
2nd: Josh, Gus and Lenny - Haumoana School, Ethiopian Lion
3rd: Tobias, Paige, Harry, Liberty and Jenna - Haumoana School, Young Indian Squaw
?HBOH Intermediate Designer
1st: Kate Rowland, The Mutant Minotaur
2nd: Abbie Burgess, Skindeep
3rd: Okawa Class (Pukemoamoa School), Kiwis Kaleide (collide)
?Mphosis Hair Studio Senior Designer
1st: Lam Tran, Alex Heath, Murray Pryce, Henry Kerrisk, Karl Adrian, k Ci Williams, Adam Coleman, Tyler Bradnock, Jeffery Alderton and William Blakely - Hastings Boys High, The Patriot
2nd: Ussac Hunt, Aritoa Lusiano, Nick Hall, LJ Crichton and Mana Lotuola-Halatau - Hastings Boys High, Cuban Spoons
3rd: Jessie Hawkes-Pearce, Frui-Tea
?Cake Stuff Adult Designer
1st: Jennie Page, Argento Bianco Nero
2nd: Tessa Paymans, Animated Anime
3rd: Sarah Watson, Global Flavor
?Eftpos Specialist (HB) Ltd People's Choice Award
Mercia Paymans, Carnival
?Bay Espresso Best Use of HB grown food or manufacture packaging
Abbie Burgess, Skindeep
?Hastings Pak'nSave Designer of the Year
1st: Jennie Page, Argento Bianco Nero
Runner up: Lam Tran, Alex Heath, Murray Pryce, Henry Kerrisk, Karl Adrian, k Ci Williams, Adam Coleman, Tyler Bradnock, Jeffery Alderton and William Blakely - Hastings Boys' High, The Patriot.