OP fashion students shine in Hokonui

Four of our Otago Polytechnic School of Fashion students were recognised over the weekend, at the 37th Hokonui Fashion Design Awards in Gore.

The event is the longest-running fashion design awards of their type in New Zealand, and has been a platform for amateur fashion designers to showcase their designs since 1988.

This year's judging panel consisted of Dan Ahwa (former fashion and creative director for Viva Magazine), Natalie Newlands (Queenstown-based brand New Lands Studio), and Biddie Cooksley (Auckland-based Tuesday Label).

Congratulations to Emily Mason (Year 3 Bachelor of Design (Fashion)), who received the Gore RSA Young Designer Award for her winning collection...

There was double recognition for OP in the Van De Water Jewellers - Open Androgynous Award.

Socrates Catapang (Year 3 Bachelor of Design (Fashion)) claimed the award for his creation (pictured below), while Felix Hill (Year 1 Bachelor of Design (Fashion)) was Highly Commended for his entry.

And Lucas Jones (Year 3 Bachelor of Design (Fashion)) was Highly Commended for his entry in the Mackersy Property - Open Collections Award...

Otago Polytechnic also co-sponsored the Sustainable Excellence Award (School Section) - together with iD Dunedin - for a second successful year.

Congratulations to Emily Pitcon from Marlborough Girls' College who won the 2025 award...