Kiwi designer making waves

Former Hawera High School student Sean Kelly is starring in Project Runway. Photo/Supplied

Former Hawera High School student Sean Kelly is making a big splash in the Big Apple with his winning designs on Project Runway.

Twenty-three-year-old Kelly won best design on episode five and the show's co-presenter, Heidi Klum, wore the dress to the Creative Arts Emmy awards on August 16.

Episode six has just screened in the US and the young kiwi designer placed first again with his "unconventional" wedding dress design.

Sean is one of 11 contestants remaining on the show after seven of the original 18 have been eliminated.

He lives in Brooklyn, New York, after graduating from Massey University College of Creative Arts last year. His family live in Hawera.

Project Runway is not screening in New Zealand so sister Hannah Kelly is downloading the show to watch her brother's progress.

She has not been able to speak to her brother since he was selected for the show and says it has been tense, with Sean in lock-down and no communication possible.

"I'm really proud of Sean, he is taking the criticism from the judges on the chin well and some of it is pretty harsh."

Hannah enjoyed watching the show with her brother while they were growing up, and she's hoping it won't be too much longer until she can talk to him.

"New York Fashion week starts in a fortnight over there and I'm hoping we will be allowed to talk him after that.

"It is funny seeing him on the show, I thought his accent would stand out but it doesn't."