Sydney students win NZ award

NEW ZEALAND: Australian fashion students have dominated proceedings at the 2008 ID Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards.

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) student Sophie Russo took out top honours while also being awarded a trip to Italy to compete in the international Mittelmoda competition making her the first student ever to take home both prizes on the one night. Compatriate Han Mai, from Queensland University of Technology was placed second equal in a tie with Kiwi student Sam Mitchell from Otago Polytechnic.

For her efforts Russo, who has spent the past year and a half living in Paris, took home $5000 in prize money while Mai was awarded $2000.

In all 80 entries were received from students around the world with the award judging panel  including The Australian fashion editor Georgina Safe, Kiwi designer Adrian Hailwood and online fashion site Runway Reporter editor Stacy Gregg.