Kelston designer girls make impressive mark in fashion world

BY JUSTIN LATIF

Look out Karen Walker – here comes Patricia Santos and Mele Alamoni.

Both girls are following in the steps of west Auckland’s most famous fashion designer and hope to study their craft at AUT next year.

They’re off to a flying start after winning at one of New Zealand’s premier fashion shows.

The Kelston Girls College students won best traditionally inspired garment at this month’s Style Pasifika Awards.

They say their victory was totally unexpected.

"It’s pretty amazing just seeing our dress being modelled at such a big show," Patricia, 17, says.

"And when we won we were speechless."

The girls have been close friends since intermediate school and have had a long love affair with fashion.

"We’ve always wanted to make clothes from a young age," Mele, 18, says.

"My family hasn’t always had enough money for buying outfits so I’ve always been into sewing my own dresses."

The winning garment was inspired by Tongan tattoo patterns. Mele, a New Zealand-born Tongan, developed the traditional part of the garment, while Philippines-born Patricia tried to give it a modern edge.

"We wanted to bring the 2D patterns out and give it a modern look," Mele says.

"We didn’t expect to get the model with tattooed legs but that worked really well with our dress."

The young designers got a few pointers from some industry big wigs after the big show on September 4.

"Everyone came up to us at the party later on even though we were the youngest there," Patricia says.

- © Fairfax NZ News