Old paint tin lids seal student wearable art prize

A garment made from old paint tin lids collected in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes by third-year fashion design student Nicole Linnell, has won the Shell Student Innovation Award at the  2012 Brancott Estate World of WearableArt Show.

The awards which celebrate the best in creative design from around the world, were presented at a star-studded ceremony in Wellington tonight (Friday).

It is the third consecutive year that a student from Massey University’s College of Creative Arts has been awarded the Student Innovation Award worth $5000, following the success in the same category of Sophie Littin last year, and Luka Mues in 2010.

Ms Linnell deliberately made her assignment more challenging by using objects that are hard to work with in creating her garment, titled Rise from the Ruins, which reflects the origin of the paint tin lids.

“The recycled tin lids are from Christchurch and I love the history behind each lid especially now after the earthquakes. I feel the beauty is in the history and we can’t forget who we have lost and what we have lost.”

It was a case of fourth time lucky for the 24-year-old whose success comes after earlier attempts in the competition, including a third place last year in the American Express Open section for her garment Proud to wear the Pinny.

First time entrant, fashion design graduate Rebecca Maxwell, won the WOW Factor Award earning $5000 for her garment, Noor Reverie, which is made from polyester, vinyl and fusing.

Another debut entrant and fourth-year student Sally Spackman, was placed third in the Air New Zealand South Pacific section receiving a prize of $1200 for her garment Powelliphanta Pine, which is made of pine needles, thread and glue.

In the same section, third-year fashion design student, Kayla Christensen, received an honourable mention for her work Taniwha Abroad, prompting WOW founder and co-judge Suzie Moncrieff to note how impressive it was to have four designers from the Massey University design degree do so well.

“The tutors at Massey University have an inspirational style of teaching, demonstrated by the consistent quality of their students’ work.”