Designer Kate Bolzonello takes Life Pharmacy first prize

08 Apr '11

3 min read

The 1200 strong audience at tonight's iD International Emerging Designer Awards show was captivated by Kate Bolzonello, from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and her collection “Clouded”. Kate took home the Life Pharmacy first prize of NZ$5,000 cash. Marie Kelly, from Massey University, New Zealand also received top honours and was awarded the Mittelmoda prize which allows direct entry to show at the Mittelmoda Fashion competition in Italy and a NZ$600 contribution from Haier.

Twenty-six finalists took part in the iD International Emerging Designer Awards held at the Lion Foundation Arena, Edgar Stadium, Dunedin from Australia, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Judges said this year's group of finalists showed a strong artistic influence.

Key points

• Shenaz Engineer from Queensland University of Technology won the Dunedin City Council second prize of NZ$2,000 cash with her collection “A Kaleidoscopic Perspective”. Sarah Mok from the University of Technology, Sydney won the Mild Red third prize of NZ$1,000 cash with her collection “Ephemeral Reverie”.
• The Pacific Blue travel prize was awarded to Julia Campbell from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Auckland. The Pacific Blue lucky boarding pass was won by Kim Wainscott from Dunedin.
• Renuka Pana from Auckland University of Technology won the Dunedin Golden Centre prize of NZ$1,000 cash for the most commercial collection.
• Judges for the 2011 event were: Damien Woolnough, editor of vogue.com.au; Akira Isogawa, international guest designer; Stefano Sopelza, project supervisor of the Mittelmoda Fashion Award, Italy; and renowned New Zealand fashion designers Margi Robertson (Nom*D) and Tanya Carlson (Carlson).
• Now in its seventh year, the iD International Emerging Designer Awards attracted 120 entries from 20 countries. The only fashion competition of its kind in New Zealand, it offers an international platform for rising national and international fashion design talent.

Kate Bolzonello, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia“
The collection Clouded. took initial inspiration from photographs by Sarah Moon. What I found particularly intriguing was the narrative qualities in the images. They tell a story by what they imply rather than what they directly show. Her images of clouds became more literal inspiration, informing the fullness in the silhouette, the tonal range of the colour palette and the textural layering of quilted chiffon and tulle.”

Damien Woolnough, editor, vogue.com.au
“Many of this year's finalists blurred the line between fashion and art by referencing artists, photographers and composers. Kate Bolzonello's collection had a sense of whimsy and playfulness that shifted it from purely conceptual to commercial.”

Akira Isogawa, international guest designer
“I was impressed that there was a good balance between creativity and commercial reality; that's a very difficult thing to do. I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw and that each designer presented their collection with confidence and is so proud of what they have achieved.”

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