Melbourne designer Takes Top Prize at the iD International Emerging Designer Awards

Melbourne designer Kate Bolzonello has won the iD International Emerging Designer Award.  Kate, from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, received the Life Pharmacy first prize of $5,000 cash in front of a 1200 strong audience at the awards show last night, for her collection, ‘Clouded.’

According to Kate, the collection took initial inspiration from photographs by Sarah Moon:  "What I found particularly intriguing was the narrative qualities in the images. They tell a story by what they imply rather than what they directly show. Her images of clouds became more literal inspiration, informing the fullness in the silhouette, the tonal range of the colour palette and the textural layering of quilted chiffon and tulle.”

Marie Kelly, from Massey University, New Zealand also received top honours and was awarded the Mittelmoda prize which allows direct entry to show at the Mittelmoda Fashion competition in Italy and a NZ$600 contribution from Haier.

The competition attracted 120 entries from 20 different countries, and a total of twenty-six finalists ftook part in the show from Australia, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Judges said this year’s group of finalists showed a strong artistic influence.

Judges for the 2011 event were: Damien Woolnough, editor of vogue.com.au; Akira Isogawa, international guest designer; Stefano Sopelza, project supervisor of the Mittelmoda Fashion Award, Italy; and renowned New Zealand fashion designers Margi Robertson (Nom*D) and Tanya Carlson (Carlson).

Judge Damien Woolnough said of the winning collection: “Many of this year’s finalists blurred the line between fashion and art by referencing artists, photographers and composers. Kate Bolzonello’s collection had a sense of whimsy and playfulness that shifted it from purely conceptual to commercial.”

*Photo: Kate Bolzonello's winning collection, 'Clouded.' Image courtesy of Chris Sullivan