John Paul College students Jessica MacDonald, left, Samantha Rolston and Hannah Christensen celebrate their school's success at the 2013 Young Designer Awards. Photo / Stephen Parker
Rotorua's John Paul College is celebrating creative success after nine students clinched placings in the 2013 Young Designer Awards.
The fabric technology students placed first in the intermediate and senior evening wear, second and third in the senior evening wear, first and second in the intermediate high street fashion and
first and third in the intermediate handcrafts categories.
The national competition for 11- to 18-year-olds aims to encourage creativity, confidence and the pursuit of excellence in young people and the school community through design.
Year 11 student Hannah Christensen said she was surprised to be named the winner of the intermediate evening wear section. Her peplum-style dress featured black lace and pink satin and the judges commended her for its "good design development".
"I went to Spotlight and looked at their patterns and changed the pattern to suit. I chose the fabrics because I liked the way the satin draped and how the pink came through the lace," she said.