Work – BROKE fashion collection
Massey University
Rembrandt Textile and Fashion Award and Supreme Winner 2016
BROKE by Talia Betham
The ECC Student Craft / Design Awards was a significant moment for me. After the high of awards night, I presented my fourth-year collection at our graduate fashion show which explored religion and spirituality.
Once I finished this I was able to travel to Europe for six weeks exploring Ireland, Spain and Italy – it was incredible to be able to expose myself to new cultures and surroundings. It had always been a goal of mine to travel as soon as I completed my degree, so to be able to do this was something I will never forget. Coming back to New Zealand I felt refreshed and inspired and ready to go.
I have been working on my own clothing label with my friend Lavinia and we have been fortunate enough to have had multiple interviews, pop up shops and runway opportunities. I am now working as a freelance dressmaker working on a few projects that stretch across a few disciplines with a few exciting shows in the near future. From the project ‘Broke’ I have continued to up-cycle old fabrics into clothing and have focused more on old upholstery trying to make a conscious effort of where I source fabric. Combining my love for op shopping and sewing you’ll catch me wearing an old curtain more often than not.
The ECC Student Craft / Design Awards gave me the push I needed to source new inspiration, to become more aware of what I was designing and if it had any meaning and also who I want to be as a designer. If there are any students looking to be a part of this competition go for it! Make sure there is something strong that is driving your work, get passionate and knock it out – you seriously never know you might take out more than one award!!
