College to fore at design awards

Proving their keen eye for design, nine John Paul College students have scooped top-three placings at the 2012 Young Designer Awards.

The school came out on top in three of the national competition's fashion categories, which are judged not only on the finished product but the entire design process.

It was a clean sweep for JPC in the intermediate "Quilting, Adornments, Jewellery & Embellishments" category, with Year 10 sewing students Breanna Banks, Maria Gardner and Mackenzie Van Fulpen first, second and third respectively with their hand-stitched quilts.

The quilts were the main class project for the first two terms, with students having to research and produce a country or culture themed design folio before having to stitch it together.

Breanna, 14, chose Canada as the inspiration for her quilt, which features a snowy owl surrounded by maple leaves.

"It's just a place I've always wanted to go," she said.

Maria's totem pole quilt was inspired by Native American culture while Mackenzie also went Canadian.

Breanna said while it was exciting to have won, at this stage she had no plans to pursue design further.

"I'm not doing it next year," she said.

"I can't draw so that's mainly what put me off."

Head of fabric technology Candace Thornton said JPC had a good record in the awards and photos of previous winners and their work adorned the sewing classroom wall.

The winners and place-getters all received a certificate, which Mrs Thornton said would be a valuable addition to their CVs.

She said the prestigious competition was different from many others in that only 10 per cent of the mark was on the final product.

"It looks at the folios and the process, concepts, developments and final designs ... all the thinking, all the planning and designing that goes into it."

Mrs Thornton said the prospect of entering the awards was extra motivation to students in all her sewing classes.

"Some feel it's something they couldn't possibly do, it's daunting when they walk in. But after they see the frontrunners putting theirs together they gain confidence, they help each other," she said. "It's been amazing."