College fashion show all stitched up

Tauranga Girls' College students taking part in next week's fashion show, from left, Cindel Vlietman, Iroha Sawada, designer Zoe Beck, Riyo Nakasaka and Madison Randall. Photo/SUPPLIED

Tauranga Girls' College annual PTA fundraising fashion show is on next week and, for the first time, one of their student's designs will walk the runway alongside those of local retailers.

Zoe Beck will show five full outfits, all second-hand garments she has turned into streetwear, which will be modelled by the school's hip-hop crew.

The Year 11 student says she enjoys taking risks with her designs.

"Fashion to me is supposed to be fun," she says.

"Wear what you want to wear and stop worrying about everyone else. Fashion is a way to express yourself. One day you can be strong, the next day feminine."

Zoe says she likes her garments to reflect New Zealand's multicultural nature.

But, she says her success has come at a price, with many long nights and weekends spent with her sewing machine instead of friends.

"Sometimes I do wish I had more free time, but I'm doing what I love," she says.

"I have six fashion shows coming up in the next six weeks, and there have been times when I'm sitting in the corner at a show doing my maths homework."

Zoe says she's met many inspiring, encouraging people in the fashion industry.

"The eco-friendly approach is something that a lot of people are passionate about," she says. "It's about looking after our environment and reusing what we already have."

- The show is on Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30, at 7pm in the Tauranga Girls College Hall (on Cameron Rd). Tickets are $12 for adults, or $10 for students, available from Tauranga Girls' College students, or cash door sales.