Shopping for talent

MELBOURNE: During L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) from March 2 to 9 punters at Highpoint will be voting for new talent.

The shopping centre has launched the Fashion Fusion Awards as part of its LMFF platinum sponsorship program, with a remit of  nurturing fashion talent in Melbourne's west.

With Highpoint shoppers judging entrants during the course of the festival, the winner would receive a prize worth $32,000 including a three month lease of a shop at Highpoint to sell their creations, a Highpoint spokesperson said.

"Many of the entrants have fabulous designs, yet not a lot have the funding to follow through and take their designs the next step. However a program like Fashion Fusion gives them the opportunity to realise their dreams. Programs such as these ensure we nurture home grown Western Melbourne talent such as Toni Maticevski’s in the future."

Competition entrant Vivian Tran said she was excited at the possibility offered by the contest to broaden her brand's exposure.

"[I have entered] the 'Trashy Couture' dress by my label, Della Fantasia, which depicts the evolving face of Melbourne's fashion as it projects a strong sense of individuality and hopefully turns a few heads."

It was hoped the Fashion Fusion Awards would grow in stature over the years to become a renowned feature of Highpoint, the spokesperson said.