Bay party chic shines at fashion awards

By Anna Bowden
Sue McArthur was a pharmacist for 20 years before she decided to sew up that career and start another - in fashion design. Now in her second year of study, the 46-year-old has just earned herself a coup in the fashion world by picking up the Supreme Designer award in the Lycra Has It Student Fashion Awards.
She and fellow student Ana Walsh won awards in the annual competition with creations Karl's Pool Party, Chanel in the Running and Moto Chic.
Mrs McArthur won the menswear section and supreme designer for Karl's, as well as runner-up in activewear for Chanel.
Ms Walsh gained first place in activewear for Moto Chic, a garment inspired by many weekends at the track.
The pair designed and created their garments as part of the fashion design course at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic - and their success has thrilled programme co-ordinator Debra Laraman.
The women shared their inspiration yesterday with the Bay of Plenty Times.
Mrs McArthur began with her turquoise piece, complete with Coco Chanel's signature turban, houndstooth, pearls and white camellia.
"I was just having so much fun with it I thought I'd design men's swimwear too, that's probably the most difficult garment you can do," she said. "The question was, 'If Karl Lagerfield had a pool party what would he wear?'"
So Karl, a Chanel designer with a signature black and white line, became the inspiration for her supreme award winning piece.
Mrs McArthur confessed her husband and three daughters reactions to the win were not quite as expected.
"They were mortified that my 'gay guy' pulled off a win," she said.
"But there is a big difference between what goes in the shop and what goes on the catwalk. Real fashion is much more wearable than that. This is just fantasy."
While it might be far from a Chanel "little black dress" it all fits the competition theme, Come to the Party, and incorporated the all-important Lycra material.
Ms Walsh agreed, saying Lycra was a fun fabric to work with and was also excellent for performance and stretch.
The 21-year-old wants to move into shoe design but admitted: "There are so many things I want to do."
The awards were judged across five categories: swimwear, intimate apparel, activewear, streetwear and menswear, with the Supreme Award being judged across all categories.
The judging panel were unanimous in their decision to award Mrs McArthur the Supreme Award because it combined fun and innovation, and they were impressed with its beautiful construction.
Category winners each receive a cash prize of $1000 and the overall Supreme Award winner receives a trophy and an additional $500.