Young fashion designer’s ultimate challenge

It’s week three of our Regional Champion highlights and we are thrilled to announce the third National Competitor of 2014 is the very talented fashion designer, Emily Turner from Diamond Creek, Victoria.

Since her recent gold medal success at the Regional Competition, Emily, at only 22 years old will put her skills to the test against other young champion fashion designers from across Australia in what is dubbed ‘The Ultimate Skills Challenge’.

Emily, who is currently a freelance fashion designer and graduate of Kangan Institute, will also be vying for a scholarship through one of WorldSkills Australia’s prestigious international pathways where she will be given the chance to pursue further skill development through study, work experience, overseas travel or financial support.

In addition to her WorldSkills success, 2013 was a huge year for Emily, her final year couture collection was awarded best overall runway collection and earned a highly sought after feature in a fashion show at the Victorian Training Awards held at Crown Palladium last September. Emily was also nominated to create a hand tailored suit ensemble for the Hon Peter Hall, Minister for Higher Education and Skills, which he wore to the ceremony. To top off an already successful year, Emily was also a wardrobe assistant on Channel Seven’s, Dancing With The Stars, which saw her alter and create costumes as well as assist the stars with costume changes backstage during the show.

Emily is now focusing on the 2014 WSA National Competition, determined to bring home another gold medal. “I was thrilled to hear I had won gold at the regionals. I’m glad that my teacher at Kangan had suggested to me that I should compete. I’m so excited to be competing on a national level. It’s going to be interesting to see what the standard is like in other states and all around Australia and it’ll be a great experience travelling to Perth to compete,” says Emily.