MELBOURNE: The winners of the Debut competition for emerging designers were announced on day one of the Fashion Exposed autumn/winter 2011 trade fair.
The Debut Apparel Award went to Victorian label Francz by Geoffrey Haining, which demonstrated a directional, androgynous approach to design.
The accessories category was won by NSW brand Afterglow Jewellery, designed by Charms Baltis and Ben Neich. For the Avant Garde category, New Zealander Anna Blease took the prize.
It was the 10th installment of the competition, with winners awarded a fully designed stand at the next Fashion Exposed event.
Fashion Exposed trade fair will run until tomorrow at the Melbourne Exhinition Centre. It is held in conjunction with the Australian Shoe Fair and the Bags and Accessories Fair.