MELBOURNE: Sydney designer William Lazootin has been handed the chance of his career by pyjama king Peter Alexander after being selected to have one of his designs appear in Alexander's spring/summer 2009/10 collection.
The chance came about after the self-taught sewer and master pattern maker won a challenge on the second episode of television reality show Project Runway Australia 2, which aired last night (July 15).
The brief given to contestants by show mentor Henry Roth was to design a minimum of two sleepwear or loungewear pieces - one of which had to be suitable to wear outside the home.
Each designer was given a budget of just $75 in which to complete the task with each garment having to be inspired by a mood board provided by Alexander.
Judges, including Alexander, buyer Sarah Gale and designer Jayson Brunsdon commended 40-year-old Lazootin on his attention to detail.
"You impressed me, you delighted me and you made me smile," Alexander said.
The judging panel was not as impressed by fellow contestant Ivana Stipicic who was the latest designer kicked off the show.
Host Kristy Hinze described the garment made by Stipicic as "unflattering, poorly designed and anything but sexy".
Ten contestants remain in the running to win the event - which offers the season two winner a car, a six-page spread in Madison magazine and a $100,000 cash injection to invest in showing their label at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.
The remaining contestants are Anthony Capon, Kellyanne Russell, Amber Renae, Lauren Vieyra, Claudia Chabo, Yopie Starfurik, Michael Finch, Ryan Whelan and Lazootin.
Stipicic, who has a background in industrial design, hopes to start her own "rock chic" inspired womenswear label.