Sell-out student show ends the year in great fashion

_{Part of Mila Litten’s collection which will feature in the Prospect Ōtautahi Show. Photo credit: Charlie Rose Creative}

This year, second-year Bachelor of Design students have taken the initiative to coordinate their own fashion show.   

Led by Mila Litten, the sell-out Prospect Ōtautahi show is her latest creation and will see the work of thirty students from across all three year levels in the Bachelor of Design (Fashion Technology and Design) course hit the runway this Friday night at the Papa Hou YMCA. 

The first years will contribute one garment, second year students three or four items and the third-year class will present a full portfolio of up to six items. Litten says “We are super excited to have this opportunity to showcase our work to friends, family and the public after working hard all year.”  

Despite having no experience in event management and juggling her own work, Litten put the event together with advice and help from other students and tutors.  

“I haven’t done anything like this before, so it has definitely been an experience!” says Litten. “But I’ve had a lot of help and I had a rough idea of what is required from being involved with previous shows.” 

_{Year Two student Morghan Bradshaw’s work photographed by Charlie Rose Creative} 

Ara – Te Pūkenga fashion design tutor Nathan Ingram has been impressed with all the extra mahi put into the show.  

“After another challenging academic year for all fashion students, it has been really awesome to see all the hard work Mila and her peers have put into the organisation of this show. I can't wait to see their work on the catwalk this Friday,” says Ingram. 

Prospect Ōtautahi will be photographed by Andy Baker and Ara photography tutor Bridie McKenna. It will also be videoed by an Ara graduate for the students. 

“This is so we can create a record for us to use for our own marketing and for our models to have the content too,” says Litten.  

Litten says hair and makeup will mostly be handled by the models themselves as the students wanted their models and volunteers to feel as comfortable and natural as possible. 

With mental health being an important topic for this cohort, a donation from the ticket sales will go towards Gumboot Friday which provides counselling for young people. 

“We feel that this cause is so valuable, especially because most Kiwis wait up to six months to receive counselling that is often urgently needed. We will also have a donation bucket on the night,” says Litten. 

The prospects look good for this go-getting student, ready to make her mark in fashion.