A glamorous outfit inspired by the “beauty of a sunrise” has been awarded top prize at the RSVP Ready Fashion Design Award exhibition at Burnside Village.

Designed by TAFE SA fashion student Bess Chau, the versatile three-piece outfit entitled ‘Be the Sunshine in Clouds’ (pictured centre) features tiered layers of fabric in different colours reflecting the graduating shades of a sunrise.

The RSVP Ready Fashion Design Award exhibition, presented by Burnside Village, provides a platform for TAFE SA’s emerging designers to showcase their creative talents, producing themed outfits for a competition and public display.

This year’s theme, RSVP Ready - Wrapped in Tulle, encouraged students to push the boundaries of design using tulle as a central element, with prizes awarded to the top three designers and the winner of the people’s choice award.

Bess says she’s always been captivated by the beauty of a sunrise and used “that breathtaking layering of colour” as the foundation for her winning design.

Gathered tulle edges represent voluminous clouds, while design features such as removable sleeves and a mesh top allow for different styling options.

“I loved the process of experimenting with different techniques to bring my vision to life,” she says.

“There was plenty of trial and error along the way, but it was deeply satisfying when the garment finally matched what I had envisioned.”

Bess says the competition provided an opportunity to learn new skills and she was excited to showcase her work in a public setting.

“Winning feels like affirmation – that my design resonates with others,” she says.

Bess’s prize is a $1,500 Burnside Village Gift Card and a three-month internship with Aston Studio.

Second prize was presented to Janyne Pereira Dos Santos for her elegant outfit ‘Violet Blossoms’ (pictured below) which features a corseted bodysuit overlayed with a sheer embroidered floral tulle dress.

Janyne says the embroidered tulle fabric provided inspiration for her design, which also won the People’s Choice Award.

“I thought about the Burnside customer and what they would like to wear and I felt it should be something delicate and beautiful,” she says.

“I found the tulle fabric online and it seemed the perfect starting point.”

 Janyne says she entered the competition to challenge herself, conceding that until now her interest has been in streetwear rather than dresses.

“I enjoyed the process and I learnt new skills. I also learnt that I can make dresses and create outfits that aren’t necessarily for me to wear,” she says.

Haila Jafari, whose ‘Lilac Enchantment’ gown won third prize, describes her design as a “mix of softness and structure” with a cape adding a sense of drama.

“I’ve always loved red carpet and runway looks – they feel bold, glamorous and creative. I wanted to bring that inspiration into my own design while adding my personal touch,” she says.

Haila says producing a competition entry gave her a great opportunity to improve her skills and share her creativity with others.

“Seeing my gown on display at Burnside Village was honestly one of the best feelings,” she says.

“One of my favourite moments was visiting the exhibition with my family – I met people, received lovely feedback and their encouragement gave me more energy and motivation to keep working hard.”

The RSVP Ready – Wrapped in Tulle outfits and other designs by TAFE SA/Flinders University fashion students will feature in the Future Designers parade on Sunday, October 12. More details at Try Booking.