Stepping Out

Assia Benmedjdoub talks to a current and former fashion student from the Design and Arts College of New Zealand about the land of the long white cloud.

In the same way that designers are expected to know their way around a needle and thread, veterinarians are required to have a solid understanding of science. Unfortunately for Inge Smith, her love of puppies, kittens and all things diminutively furry was not enough to guarantee her a career in the latter. So two years ago, the New Zealander decided to put her textbooks aside and pursue a career in fashion instead.

Now in her second year of study at the Design and Arts College of New Zealand, Smith is looking good; poised to take her newfound talent all the way to China. After scoring second place in the annual Mid Micron Wool Fashion Design Competition - an international affair centred around promoting the use of woollen fibres and fabrics in the Chinese market - the young designer's winning collection will now be showcased at the Qifa Fashion Show in Beijing later this year.

Needless to say, Smith is thrilled. "Once our collection is in China will we go up against Chinese designers to compete for the overall Chinese Mid Micron winner. I might get sent over to China with my selection - I'm very excited."
Briefed in December last year and handed in for judgement on March 1, Smith's collection was inspired by the concept of New Zealand as the land of the long white cloud.

"They wanted a New Zealand theme," she explains. "We had to submit our research and present a theme board with drawings of our designs. As second year fashion students, we were encouraged to create [an entire] collection for this competition."

While that collection is under wraps, Smith's overall workload hasn't eased off just yet. The student is also working on another range for her college fashion show in September. Influenced by Middle Eastern culture and dress, Smith describes the process as "a little bit stressful".

"It's my first show and I want it to run smoothly. I am learning a lot though and have amazed myself with what I can do."

While Smith was busy eyeing furry little critters during her years as a toddler, Trudi Fraser was already on her way to becoming a fashion designer. From the age of five, the New Zealand haute couture buff says she was wrapping and basting scraps of fabric around a different sort of guinea pig - her defenceless blonde-haired, blue-eyed Barbie doll.
"I would say I just loved fashion ever since I was a little girl. I can remember using any scraps of fabric I could get my hands on and sewing up fab new designs with a needle and thread."

Little changed in the ensuing years between kindergarten and Fraser's first day of study at the Design and Arts College of New Zealand. Even before she formalised her qualifications with an advanced diploma in fashion design, Fraser spent 11 years as a bridal designer and consultant with a leading house in Christchurch. Freelance work was never far off the cards either.

"I actually had freelance work lined up before I left college and still continue to be contacted to work with the same company today. I always had the hope I would be a freelance fashion designer and now have my own label in top stores around town."

Alongside her namesake brand, which produces one-off couture gowns and eveningwear for women aged between 25 and 50, Fraser has also designed an exclusive collection for Soeur Design boutique in Christchurch and regularly works on commissions from private clients.

"I really do love my job and love working for myself doing something that I have wanted to do ever since I could remember. The hardest thing is keeping a social life when you are just starting out in your own business and need to put so much of your time and your efforts into it. But it's so worth it at the end of the day."

By Assia Benmedjdoub