Emerging fashion talent storms runway in 2025 Prospect Ōtautahi show
27 November, 2025
Professional applause for thriving student created event
A sell-out fashion show created and staged by emerging designers has shown that Canterbury’s fever for spring fashion has a new generation right behind it.
Prospect Ōtautahi – the showstopping event entirely created by Ara fashion students - returned for a fourth year to a packed Majestic Centre on Saturday night.
The show had every aesthetic, from floating garments to structural and tailored looks, Victorian-inspired costuming and avant-garde pieces through to ready-to-wear commercial garments and innovative, experimental design.
It came hot on the heels of the first New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival, which saw many dedicated Bachelor of Design (Fashion Technology and& Design) students pitching in backstage.
Saturday night, however, was their time to shine. Looks and collections from all three years of the degree programme powered down the runway in a slick show that had the audience mesmerised.
“This student-created show is now part of the Christchurch fashion story, which I feel is celebrating a renaissance following the earthquakes,” event lead Alexander Yee said.
“It’s important to have a platform for us as emerging designers. We pour our whole heart, soul and design ethos into our work. This is a visual representation of who we are and an opportunity to get our designs out there.”
For the first time a “Meet the Designers” after event was staged to encourage whanaungatanga (connection) and networking.
“We wanted to develop the show further this year to grow the creative network within the local fashion scene,” Yee said. “It was also a chance see the designers work up close and maybe even commission a piece of their work.”
Skye Zofia, another Prospect executive team member, said the exposure was hugely important, wherever the fashion graduates were heading next.
“You just never know what might come from a connection – especially in a small industry like New Zealand’s.” she said.
Zoey Tomlinson-Rout, creative director and founder of Gold Walk label, described the event as “absolutely incredible”. “The future of fashion is right here, and this talent deserves to be seen and celebrated,” she said.
Prospect Ōtautahi 2025 was sponsored by Portfolio Model Agency, Almighty, Saucy Kiwis, Roma, Headspace Hair, MakeUp by Elise (and Ara makeup students), Ant Yee Designs, Walk Lightly, Spice Kōtiro and the Ara Foundation.
Portfolio Models and Talent director Mel Radford Brown said it was a cornerstone event for nurturing local talent, giving student designers and emerging models the confidence, exposure and vital experience they need to step into the future of fashion.
“This impactful show for our new faces and young emerging models provides an opportunity for them to collaborate and connect with emerging designers who represent the future of our industry,” she said.
“Being student-organised, it instils strong management, communication and commitment skills behind the scenes. It continues to grow and flourish each year, and we’re proud to support that journey,” she added.
The show was a grand finale for Ara Institute of Canterbury’s graduating cohort. Many had spent last week completing and presenting their final portfolios to tutors, photographing their collections and fitting their models for the runway.
Their skill and creativity were celebrated with a series of in-house awards. Among the recipients were:
• Alexander Yee – Ara Award for Innovative Practice, sponsored by The Noeline McIlroy Bequest, recognising excellence in innovation within the Bachelor of Design (Fashion Technology & Design), Year 3.
• Molly Taylor – Lauren Hemens Award for Commercial Potential, acknowledging strong market-ready design concepts in the Bachelor of Design (Fashion Technology & Design), Year 3.
• Jemima Lewis Gourdie – Longbeach Holdings Award for Sustainable Practice, celebrating commitment to environmentally responsible design in the Bachelor of Design (Fashion Technology & Design), Year 3.
Ara’s fashion students are clearly pushing boundaries and industry-ready to make their mark.
