MELBOURNE: New South Wales designer Claudia Chabo's hopes of showing at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Week (RAFW) are now over.
The dream ended after the 40-year-old womenswear designer became the third contestant kicked off television reality show Project Runway Australia 2.
In an episode that aired last night (July 23) Chabo and her fellow designers were charged with the task of creating an avante garde garment using materials from a hardware store.
Each designer was given a budget of just $85 and 15 minutes to purchase the materials used in the challenge with Chabo using tartan picnic blankets and ironing board covers in her design.
Judges, including buyer Sarah Gale, designer Jayson Brunsdon, host Kristy Hinze and guest judge Madison editor Paula Joye, told Chabo they were less than impressed with her efforts.
Brunsdon said it was obvious that Chabo's design had been "inspired" by a Vivienne Westwood design that had "been around for 20 years".
"It was a highland fling on acid," he said.
Fellow New South Welshwoman 24-four-year-old Lauren Vieyra, who relied heavily on sink washers for her garment, was named the challenge winner.
Nine contestants remain in the running to win the event - which offers the season two winner a car, a six-page spread in Madison and a $100,000 cash injection to invest in showing their label at RAFW.
The contestants still in the running for the prize include Anthony Capon, Kellyanne Russell, Amber Renae, Vieyra, Yopie Starfurik, Michael Finch, Ryan Whelan, Mark Neighbour and Williams Lazootin.