Wakatipu wears it at TOI Wearable Arts regional competition
A Victorian-inspired dress creation, cleverly crafted out of the remnants of fast fashion, catapulted Wakatipu High School to top spot and ‘Star of the Night’ as the Southland Regional TOI Wearable Arts student winners at Invercargill’s Civic Theatre on May 19.
It was the school’s first ever entry in the competition, one of 16 school entries from all over Southland. Wakatipu High School will now be judged among 19 other regional winners from around NZ via video and professional photographs taken at the event. The winning school nationally will get to showcase its creation at the prestigious WOW – World of WearableArt Show in Wellington in spring.
The two eye-catching Wakatipu creations stole the show – the other called ‘The Wave’, crafted from blue tarpaulin, wire and chill netting. Both were entirely student led, themed, designed, created and modelled by Wakatipu High School students.
Arts teacher Abbey Brown took six of the 10 students, who worked every Wednesday after school for weeks creating the two garments from recycled materials, to Southland Showquest, as part of 40 local students competing at that. The school also won awards in Showquest - a massive showcase of themed student dance, choreography and theatrical talent, with its 38 local entrants.
While the Victorian fast fashion piece took ‘Star of the Night, Wakatipu’s other garment, ‘The Wave, won Best Innovative Use of Materials.
The story behind both creations obviously impressed the judges.
The Victorian creation, complete with its corset top, large cage skirt and head piece, incorporated fast fashion items, upcycled into patchwork. Through this creation the local students were highlighting the contrast between the timeless, well preserved, carefully crafted quality garments of the Victorian age and today’s throw away fast fashion, says Abbey.
“That’s largely why they won, because of the story input and connections the kids had made with that,” she says. “The Victorian era was used to comment on the effort and sustainability of outfits instead of the throw away fashion that seems to exist today.”
‘The Wave’ was inspired by climate change, the effect of plastic in our waterways. It moved like water as the model walked. “Its minimalist design was effective and quite striking on stage,” says Abbey. The students face-painted their model’s skin white and used fish-net stocking on her whitened skin to effect fish scales for added impact.
“Our models did an amazing job.”
“We left at 9am and got back at 1.30am with some very tired kids, but they were so rapt,” says Abbey. “We had little sewing experience. Our aim for TOI was just to get our garments ready in time and on the stage, not to win, so it was just amazing that our students won,” she says. “Now that we know what it’s all about, and I’ve learned a lot about sewing, our aim is to go even bigger, better, and higher next year. I’m really excited for that.”
The school’s Showquest crew also came away with awards, including Best Use of Live Music – the first time Wakatipu High School has incorporated live music into its Showquest performance. Their item worked to celebrate the legacy of the performing arts created through a family and at Wakatipu High School. “Dance, drama, kapa haka, media and live music (English and Te Reo) music were used to communicate this on stage. The leaders were inspired by how the arts impact their lives so positively and create strong bonds between students, year levels, skills and generations.” These students were led by performing arts teacher Genevieve Foster and teacher Anna Hubbard.
Abbey says the school is especially grateful to the Creative Queenstown Committee, which supported its TOI creations with a grant of $500. “We wouldn’t have been able to enter without this generous contribution.”
