proudly presents

Western Australia

What are the Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards? The Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards (AATFA) are an annual nationwide fashion competition for high school students. There are four competition categories which students can enter:

• Casual Wear • Evening Wear • Wearable Art • Society and Environment

Students design and sew all of their own garments which are then showcased in a catwalk fashion show for family, friends and the general public. The fashion shows take place in heats held at schools and public spaces around the country, in which judges determine the winners based on both technical ability, creativity and design skill. Winners from the heats are selected to participate in the State Finals as they compete to secure one of 54 highly contested places at the National Finals, usually held in Sydney or Melbourne. The competition has been running for more than 20 years in Western Australia and in recent years it has been held as a national competition. Each year the event attracts entries from over 800 public and private high school students from around the country. In Western Australia, there are approximately 300 entrants each year with heats held in Perth as well as regional heats held in Albany, Esperance, Wagin, Narrogin, Karratha, Geraldton and Manjimup.

What are the benefits of entering AATFA?

All students who participate in the Perth and regional heats receive a certificate of participation. Winners from the heats are selected to participate in the State Final. The State Final is held at one of Perth’s five star hotels, with the students showcasing their garments on catwalk staging, with professional lighting, music by a live DJ and a celebrity MC. Family and friends are invited to attend the show during which they enjoy food and beverages. The participants have their hair and make-up professionally done for the catwalk show and the opportunity to purchase images taken by a professional photographer. All participants receive a t-shirt, lunch and a certificate of participation.

In addition, there are prizes for the top three winners of each category. In the past prizes have included Bernina sewing machines and digital cameras. All winners also receive a trophy The top two winners from each category win the opportunity to compete in the National Final in either Sydney or Melbourne, with flights and accommodation provided by AATFA (a small financial contribution may be required from students to cover costs). It is not only the prizes; there are additional personal benefits for high school students participating in AATFA. Participation can be a great boost to confidence and self esteem, as well as providing career inspiration and the opportunity to develop creative skills and experience. For some students it has been a stepping-stone into the world of fashion and design. Many past winners and finalists have progressed into a career in the fashion industry, some to great heights. Past AATFA entrants

have created their own fashion labels, won scholarships to work abroad with distinguished designers and worked for well-known and respected Australian fashion labels. Some notable Western Australian AATFA achievers are:

• Kim Ellery - a fashion editor for magazine RUSSH with her own very successful label, Ellery (www.elleryland.com).

• Natalie Rolt – Perth based fashion designer whose designs have been worn by Miss Universe Australia 2012 Renae Ayris. (natalierolt.com/the-story/)

• Hannah Emmerson – owner of boutique fashion store, Joy Avenue in Cottesloe (www.facebook.com/pages/Joy-Avenue/470658359681681)

• Taylor Patterson - worked as a designer with Wayne Cooper and as a Production Manager with Nicola Finetti.

• Jayde Christie – in-house swimwear designer for Sea Jewels Swimwear. She was offered a job at Sea Jewels whilst still in Year 10, after entering a swimsuit in the AATFA Casual wear category.

• Rebekah Bide – winner of Designer of the Year in 2012, Rebekah was offered places at both Parsons The New School for Art and Design in New York and Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London (rebekahbide.blogspot.com.au)

• Jonte Pike – Perth based fashion designer who launched her label in 2012 and has appeared in Perth Fashion Week (www.jontelamode.com)

• Dempsey Stewart – International fashion model who has appeared in Vogue, Australian Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and has modelled for Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Phillip Lim.

What does the industry say about AATFA? Bessie Bardot, Fashion Week Ambassador, CEO, Author, Media Entrepreneur

“The garments are to the standard of Fashion Week designers, I was blown away.”

Henry Roth, Fashion Designer, New York based wedding dress designer and previous mentor on Project Runway Australia (www.henryroth.com.au)

“Overall I saw consistency, confidence and pride in your own voice. I saw a true willingness to take style out of the box and display a unique and different attitude. I saw strong statements for the fashion…”

Brad Hick, Six 6 Photography, official L’Oreal photographer for L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

“I have shot for all the major fashion shows around the world, and I can tell you these students are up there with the best. Look out world because the Australian Fashion Industry has got a very bright future.”

So what are you waiting for? Enter today!

Contact Us School and Student Liaison

Elaine Schraven Ph 9397 6786 Mbl 0417 993 186 Email eschrave@bigpond.net.au Website www.aatfa.org.au Facebook www.facebook.com/AATFAWA Instagram instagram.com/aatfawa