Aspiring fashion designers have an opportunity to show their talents at the 2015 Westpac and Darling Downs Cotton Growers Inc Fairholme Fashion Awards coming up in October.

The Awards form part of a week-long celebration of fashion to be held October 12 to 17, a prelude to Fairholme's Spring Fair on Saturday October 17.

Darling Downs students in middle school (Years 7-9) and senior school (Years 10-12) are invited to submit original, spring-inspired cotton creations for judging in the Senior Schools Category by producing a show-stopping garment to fit the 2015 theme - Spot On!

Fairholme College fashion and textiles teacher and event organiser Mrs Clare Greenhill explains.

"The brief requires the design and construction of a one or two piece garment/outfit in a polka dot or spotted print that would be suitable for a student between the age of 12 to 17 years to wear to a day time function, such as high tea, birthday party, country races, pool/beach party or wedding."

"Cotton fabrics such as cotton poplin, cotton voile, cotton drill, printed denim and cotton sateen may be utilised."

photo: GraziaDressAU

Entrants in the Open Category are invited to try their hand at creating The Little Black Dress (LBD).

"Its silhouette has changed over the years, but the LBD remains supremely chic," Mrs Greenhill said.

"The designed garment would be suitable to wear to day or evening events such as the races, a cocktail party, an evening wedding, the theatre, dining out or dancing. Ball gowns, however, would not fit the brief."

Mrs Greenhill is keenly anticipating a high quality and depth of work to be produced by designers in both categories.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for local secondary school designers to try their hand at a sponsored competition, with a real chance to have their original designs out in the public eye."

"The event will shine a spotlight on how our own cotton industry partners with the fashion world and, hopefully, provide a springboard for launching new designers from the Toowoomba region with an array of sensational garments," she said.

The best designs from the Open Category are set to be the star attraction at the inaugural awards night being held at Fairholme College on Friday October 16.

Guests will enjoy a sparkling, intimate evening featuring canapés and refreshments, a parade and the announcement of award winners.

The main showing opportunity for Student category winners will be on Saturday October 17 when they are presented alongside the winners of the Open Category at the Westpac Gala Spring Fair Fashion Parade at Fairholme College.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for emerging designers to try their hand at a sponsored competition, with a real chance to have their original designs out in the public eye," Mrs Greenhill said.

"The event will shine a spotlight on how our cotton industry partners with the fashion world, and hopefully, provide a springboard for launching new designers with an array of sensational garments," she said.

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