23 June 2004

Jade Worland, Camilla Sharp and Maria Koponen Doing it with Denim

18 entries by fashion design students at Charles Darwin University will be judged next week for entry into the national finals of the Jeans for Genes competition, Do it with Denim.

Open to tertiary students studying fashion design, 17 Charles Darwin students have entered the competition by recycling denim clothing into funky outfits.

Do It with Denim is conducted by Jeans for Genes on behalf of the Children’s Medical Research Institute and in association with the Australian fashion industry.

“ Each garment that is entered in the competition must be re-created from old jeans. It must be wearable, retailable and designed around the competition theme of music legends,” said the University’s Course Coordinator of Fashion Studies, Armida Monteith.

“All entrants have a unique expression of the music legends theme in their work. For example we have garments inspired by Blondi, KISS, Cindi Lauper, Kylie Minogue, Cher, Shania Twain, Madonna, Slim Dusty, David Bowie and a Dame Nellie Melba tribute garment.

“The different styles entered from the Territory reflects the variety of people undertaking fashion studies locally which range from full-time and mature age students to secondary school students who are taking a fashion subject once a week as part of the VET in schools program.

“The competition has been great fun and allows us to compare our skills nationally. It helps people realise that fashion and related study areas, including short courses in shoemaking, fabric manipulation and some uses of the Gerber pattern design system - which are now open for enrolment, can be undertaken at the University,” Ms Monteith explained.

In the Northern Territory, the judging will take place from 4.30pm on Monday 28 June in Building 8 at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina Campus.

The four top garments, as judged by representatives from the fashion industry and fashion media, will compete in the National Finals in Sydney during Jeans for Genes Week held from Monday 2 August.

The national winner will be included in the catwalk presentation of the 2004 Autumn/Winter Fashion week held in Melbourne during November.