A TAFE SA short course in pattern making sparked Zoe Kao’s interest in fashion design leading her onto a three-year degree which has only strengthened her resolve to work in couture.

Adding further motivation is her recent award, the HomeStart Fashion Student of the Year, which recognises her hard work and commitment to her studies in the Bachelor of Creative Arts – Fashion, a dual award offered by TAFE SA and Flinders University.

Zoe says she’s “honoured” by the award, which was presented at the recent HomeStart Fashion and Costume Graduate Parade, where she felt “quite emotional” watching her graduate collection on the catwalk.

“It’s a long process starting with a concept and coming up with a design, and then researching and experimenting, so when the model comes down the runway wearing your collection it’s incredible,” Zoe says.

“My parents and sister came from Taiwan to see the parade and it was special to have them in the crowd.”

Zoe’s graduate collection – The Distant Planet – was inspired by Chinese artist Chao Chung- Hsiang, whose paintings address social issues and struggles while conveying a sense of optimism.

Zoe hoped to imbue a similar sense of optimism in her designs, “in the face of political and religious conflicts, social indifferences, and environmental issues”.

“The Distant Planet is utopia where peace, love, hope and nature flourish,” she says of the five-piece collection, made predominantly from silk and featuring artful fabric manipulation and embellishment.

Zoe says she’s looking forward to using her skills in the industry whether it is designing, pattern making or sample making.

“I would love to work at an Australian designer label or couture/bridal house and hopefully years in the future, I can have my own label,” she says.

Trini Lee moved from Brisbane to Adelaide to study the Bachelor of Creative Arts – Costume Design with limited sewing skills and admits that even stitching a straight line was challenging at first.

“Sewing skills weren’t a prerequisite for the course which is one of the reasons I decided to come to Adelaide,” Trini says.

“I’ve learnt a lot of skills at TAFE SA and enjoyed being with like-minded people.”

Her dedication to her studies has seen Trini awarded the HomeStart Costume Design Student of the Year at this year’s graduate parade.

“It was very exciting and I was over the moon because there is so much talent in my class group," she says.

Trini’s five-piece collection, a reinterpretation of the costumes for Giselle including the peasant maid, gamekeeper, nobleman, socialite and queen, reflects her love of ballet and her interest in period-style fashion.

“Giselle is a story about innocent love and betrayal; it’s dramatic and heart-breaking,” she says.

“The collection is inspired by the shapes and silhouettes of the 19th century or the early Victorian era.”

Trini has long held an interest in working in the film and entertainment industry and studied a Bachelor of Entertainment Industries in Brisbane before deciding on costume design.

Trini says she’s keen to work on film, television or stage productions and is intent on building up her experience.

She’s interning for a local couture designer and previously worked alongside one of her lecturers on the set of a locally produced film, which is due for release later this year.

“I love the ballet and working on a ballet in London would be amazing,” Trini says.

“There’s something special about seeing the costumes in a live performance, watching them come to life on stage.”

Two further awards were presented to graduates who produced standout collections in their final year.

The HomeStart Academic Merit Award for Fashion went to Danica Pedretti and the HomeStart Academic Merit Award for Costume was presented to Tammie Collins.

Pictured (from left to right): Tammie Collins, Trini Lee, Danica Pedretti and Zoe Kao with HomeStart CEO Andrew Mills.