First, there were 130. And then there were 12. They all came after Target.
Target has announced 12 finalists as presenting partner of the 2015 National Graduate Showcase at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.
The national finalists will compete for the opportunity to design a capsule collection for Target and $25,000.
Target womenswear general manager Gillian Ridley Whittle said the majority of NSW finalists hailed from Sydney’s University of Technology.
“The nine finalists from New South Wales really demonstrated incredible originality and maturity in their designs, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the Festival Runway in March,” she said.
Whittle said each of the finalists will show six key looks as part of the runway show.
“This prestigious program is a launching pad for young designers and gives them an incredible opportunity to showcase what they can do in front of consumers, fashion decision-makers and industry experts at the Festival.
Each year, the National Graduate Showcase runway is a sell-out, because everyone just loves the energy and excitement the student designers bring to the Festival.
“At Target, we are thrilled to be involved in the program and mentoring our next generation designers on the road to success.”
Festival CEO Graeme Lewsey said over 130 students across the country applied for the program, and twelve finalists were selected.
“We were inundated with students wanting to be part of the National Graduate Showcase this year and we have selected twelve talented finalists."
The judging panel included Whittle, Lewsey, designer Yeojin Bae, stylist Kate Gaskin and head of Designers for Target Anthony Pecora.
Whittle and Lewsey at the announcement.