Hayley hopes for better luck this time

Hayley Quinn's first entry missed the deadline, but this year her creation is in to win at the Style Pasifika New Zealand Fashion Awards.

Last year the mother of two slaved every night for months after her children went to bed, but the courier didn't deliver her garment to Auckland in time.

This year the Ohawe Beach resident's new entry is ready and waiting to be one of 85 finalists gracing the catwalk.

At her sewing machine on the dining room table Miss Quinn said she couldn't make it to Auckland, but would wait with bated breath to hear if she's won after the show on Friday night.

Her design is one of twelve finalists in the Flava Urban Street Wear category and all designers compete for the TVNZ Supreme Winner. Miss Quinn used all second hand fabrics she found in Hawera op-shops for her entry.

Fitting the project in around her family, a plan for a three-piece collection had to be slimmed down.

She created a lined singlet and shorts ensemble for the open category that only dictated that designers "take it to the streets".

"Its whatever you want. I was going for a more classy look but kind of casual," she said.

"It was a big process, designing, pattern making and sewing. As an inexperienced sewer you have all these set backs but you're trying to get it right. It's not as easy as you think."

With just two years design study under her belt Miss Quinn said she entered the competition to give herself a deadline and she'll "keep plodding away" until she has time to pursue fashion design as a career.

The Westfield Style Pasifika includes fashion, music, culture and dance and showcases emerging talent from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.

- © Fairfax NZ News