Kiwi designer racks up spot on Project Runway

Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum will soon be judging the work of Kiwi designer Duncan Chambers-Watson on Project Runway.

An Otago Polytechnic graduate will soon be showing his work to millions of viewers after nailing a spot on American reality television show Project Runway.

Duncan Chambers-Watson, who graduated with a bachelor of design fashion with distinction last year, will be a contestant in series 14 of the show.

He left for the United States early this month for filming.

Otago Polytechnic fashion student Duncan Chambers-Watson is competing in the next season of Project Runway.

His selection follows the success of Sean Kelly, a Taranaki designer who won season 13 of the show.

Polytechnic academic leader of fashion Dr Margo Barton said Chambers-Watson stood out at the polytechnic.

"Oh yes. He knows who he is as a designer, and he's got his own style, confidence, and he's a very, very hard worker."

That was "the essential mix" for a fashion designer.

Dr Barton said Mr Chambers-Watson, at first, was not sure about chasing a spot on Project Runway, and asked her advice.

She said she told him the show was "like a very public portfolio airing," and just being selected, and having the opportunity to show so many people what he could do, was a rare opportunity.

Chambers-Watson had already gained a scholarship to attend Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, and participated in Shanghai Fashion Week last year through the polytechnic's partnership with the Shanghai University of Engineering Science.

A Duncan Chambers-Watson design shown in Shanghai last year. Photo/Laura Benjamin

He was also recently invited to submit his portfolio for consideration by Vogue Italia New Talents.

Chambers-Watson showed a laconic southern humour on the Project Runway website, answering a question of when he realised he had designer potential with the response: "Hopefully some day soon."

Dr Barton said he seemed "older and wiser than his 25 years".

"But that's his sense of humour, definitely."

Chambers-Watson, who was originally from Lyttelton, did a foundation course at the Fashion Design Studio in Sydney.

Through a relationship with the institution - Dr Barton studied there - the head of the school suggested he study for his bachelor of design and fashion at Otago.

The winner of Project Runway will receive $100,000 to launch his or her business, and other prizes.

Mr Chambers-Watson is the second New Zealander to feature on the show, after Sean Kelly won series 13 last year.

Project Runway winner Sean Kelly. Photo/Doug Sherring

The show features Tim Gunn as mentor, and judges include model and television personality Heidi Klum.