Anybody's Guess for RMIT denim
The Designs on Denim project - launched at central Melbourne's Euroluce Gallery on September 5 - was the first initiative of its kind, involving the participation of around 60 fashion students from RMIT University in a contest to design and produce denim based outfits.
Guess marketing and communications executive Angela Hili said the brand intended rolling out a similar educational venture each year.
"For some time Guess has been looking at ways to merge education with industry experience and to work closely with students. What we've tried to give students is in depth feedback on their designs and an insight into the design and production process."
Using denim donated by Guess and inspired by a talk on the essence of the brand given by managing director Simon Nankervis, students spent weeks designing and producing the denim based ensembles.
"They took denim as the base but included trimmings such as lace or nautical detailing. Some students chose to create all in one cat suits while others did little jackets or bodices with skirts or jeans. Some of the outfits were stunning," said Hili.
The winner would receive a week-long internship at one of Guess's global head offices, with the top five outfits to be showcased at the Guess outlet in Melbourne's QV shopping centre.
"Simon [Nankervis] knows how hard it is for Australian designers to get their creations into the market. We really hope this project will play an ongoing role in helping students achieve that. It's been a huge project and because it's a first for us, we're learning as we go, but it's been really inspiring seeing how the students have responded to the brief."
Guess is not the only brand to have teamed up with RMIT recently. Last month saw edgy Melbourne brand Vicious Threads recruiting RMIT students to redesign its outlet in The Basement at Myer Melbourne, ahead of the launch of Vicious Threads spring "Love Electric" collection.