Creative students make up their own future world

More than 50 Charles Darwin University hair and beauty students shown off their prodigious creative talents and a high degree of technical flare at the Time to Shine fashion parade in Palmerston.

Hair, Beauty and Retail Team Leader Linda Manning said the Gen Alpha theme had generated one of the most spectacular student catwalk presentations that she’s seen.

“The future has already arrived,” Ms Manning said.

“The planning, imagination, technical wizardry and execution was second to none. I was impressed and so was the audience. It was a sell-out; and the place was absolutely booming.”

Ms Manning said each student was required to demonstrate knowledge and skill by presenting a model to a panel of five interstate judges.

“Each student had to find a model, and plan every detail about their looks, including the clothes, hair and make-up.

“The distinct look and feel associated with Gen Alpha, characterised by glass, metal and mirror, was the over-arching inspiration for design and presentation.

“It had to be relevant to today’s students as well as an inspiration for tomorrow’s students.”

Gen Alpha is a term used to define those born from 2010 who have a predilection for multiple glass screens (such as mobiles and iPads) for connectivity, interactivity and content dissemination.

“The Gen Alpha kids are our future; for the university, for industry and for society in general.”

Ms Manning said Time to Shine was held at The Landmark nightclub, the first time it has been held off campus.

“We’ve had really strong apprentice numbers and we simply outgrew the restaurant where we’ve held it previously.”

Category winners as follows:

Colour and cut winner - Kim Cornish

runner up - Peter Sanjaya

Men’s cut and carving winner - Peter Sanjaya

runner up - Praew Srisunon

VET for Secondary Schools joint winners - Maria Pikos and Katerina Taktikos

joint runners up - Maria Pikos and Olivia McCallum

Day/Evening make up winner - Kiri-Lee Baulch

runner up - Therese Hunt

Creative Make up winner - Emily DeVirgilio

runner up - Shari Walker Pon

Avant Garde winner - Kayden Oats (Glamazon apprentice)

runner up - Maudie Melville (Cut Above apprentice).