Paper garments to have a newsy look

Garments constructed from newspaper sheets channelling the steam-punk style will be walking down a runway at NorthTec's fashion department.

NorthTec fashion and design students are being challenged to create wearable art out of old Northern Advocate newspapers.

Tutor Edele McDonald said the theme of the alternative steam-punk genre was an extra twist on the assignment for the students.

"It's pretty trendy, but quite new in regards to fashion," she said.

Ms McDonald's four students taking part in the project are at the beginning design stages, and are getting their heads around a new way of making garments.

"They are excited as well as a bit nervous," she said.

"It is out of their comfort zone because it is more wearable arts than design.

"We don't just want to teach them fashion design, we want them to win major competitions like the Wearable Arts and New Zealand Fashion shows.

"Part of the course is to design and build outfits which our students will enter into the Northland regional Wearable Arts competition with the ultimate ambition of making it to the big World of Wearable Arts show in Wellington."

The garments will be modelled for judges, who will select their favourite look to be featured on the cover of Savvy, the paper's fashion and lifestyle magazine.

Hair and beauty students will be involved with the styling of the models for the big reveal after four weeks of hard work, Ms McDonald said.