Seventy eight perfectly poised models displaying the creative genius of 139 inspired designers along with 54 show-stopping dancers - with such a huge number of talented students involved, it is little wonder that last night’s Middle School Wearable Arts Show was once again a massive success. Launched four years ago by Year 8 teacher, Mrs Leisha Slade, the event is now a major drawcard on the Saint Kentigern calendar, with Elliot Hall full to capacity with parents and other members of our community eager to see the students’ mind-blowing creations.

We once again welcomed professional speaker, Wendy Meyer to MC the show and thank her for her fantastic input introducing each item. The finished creations, seamlessly blending art, design and fashion, were supported by corresponding dances within six categories:

• Kiwiana and Pacifica
• Through the Years – A Look Back in Time
• Disney
• Man’s World
• Preloved Avant Garde
• The Circus

The competition was open to the entire Middle School with separate prizes for Years 7-8 and Years 9-10. The students were privileged to welcome back two esteemed judges from the New Zealand art scene to determine the category and supreme winners. Anne Lohrentz has worked extensively in the clothing industry both locally and abroad as a designer and has also established and run her own label. She has a Master’s degree in Visual Art and lectures on Design and Creative Pattern Cutting at AUT. Fellow return judge, Ros Craw, is the Head of Art at Somerville Intermediate also bringing a keen artistic eye.

At the dress rehearsal on Sunday, the students were privileged to work with Kiri Whitford-Joynt from ID with Style. The students, especially the models, received valuable advice about their presentation and deportment while on the catwalk. At the same time, the judges had the opportunity to examine the garments closely and interview the designers. The final decision, made especially difficult by the high calibre of designs, was made on the night based on the following criteria:

• Creativity, zest and innovation
• The garment’s relevance to the category
• Originality
• Presentation and construction

Congratulations to the eighteen chosen finalists, and in particular the Supreme Winners. No stranger to the catwalk, Holly Dashwood, Year 10, is well remembered for winning the inaugural show with her giant jelly fish creation. This year’s entry, ‘Hidden in the Depths’ represented the beautiful South Pacific ocean and the legends told about the mythical creatures that live within it. In complete contrast to Holly’s flowing design, ‘Mr McPaper’ by Year 8 students, Tom Harford, Robbie King and Harry MacPherson was a well cut man’s suit, hat and briefcase made entirely from newspaper!

YEARS 7 AND 8: MR MCPAPER
Model and Designers: Tom Harford, Robbie King and Harry MacPherson

YEARS 9 AND 10: HIDDEN IN THE DEPTHS
Model and Designer: Holly Dashwood

YEARS 7 AND 8

Bailing Twine Bride - Charlotte Cornwall
Coke King - Luke Creemers, Julium Engleman, Lenny Creamer
Rugby Gladiator - Jacob Spring
Peacock is the New Black - Grace Kelly and Izzy Kozak

YEARS 9 AND 10

Paper Memories - Mackensie Cooper and Maya Keast
Fragment - Ada Chan
Branching Out - Emma King
Inner Beauty - Kate Armstrong 

YEAR 7 AND 8

Sole Sister - Sophie Ellet
Circus Surprise - Emma Jorgensen, Erin McGinity, Florance Lee & Amorangi Masala
Ocean Princess - Emma Savoury
Paper Joke - Danielle Mayer

YEAR 9 AND 10

Fluid - Coco Xu
Nana’s Garden - Charlotte Maehl and Molly Griffiths
Ultra Violet Sounds - Lucy Wienk and Tess Elliot
Roll Caged - Bianca Connell 

Well done to the Year 11 dance leaders who undertook all of the choreography for the show with assistance from dance staff, Mr Geordan Wilcox and Ichiro Harada. A big thank you to Katherine Chang from Year 12 for designing this year’s logo, PowerPoint, tickets and certificates, and also to Georgia Cook and Gemma Fuller in Year 10 for designing the program!

And finally, heartfelt thanks to Mrs Slade for her organisation, and Wendy Meyer, Kiri Whitford-Joynt, Anne Lohrentz and Ros Craw for making this fantastic night a tremendous success!

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