An extra breath was held in anticipation of the announcement of the winner of the 2008 Modaitalia Scholarship as judges took extra time to decide on a winner. The Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (MSIT) and the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in their 6th edition of Modaitalia, have attracted a record number of entries for the coveted $7,000 fashion prize. After a preliminary judging at the MSIT “Pret-a-moda” event earlier this month, Ben Garrett of West End in Brisbane won the prestigious Modaitalia scholarship consisting a flight to Italy and a summer course at the world-renowned Polimoda Institute in Florence. The Modaitalia 2008 final event was held at The Old Museum Building in Brisbane on October 29, 2008.

Entrants in the modaitalia competition were briefed to use Italian culture as the inspiration for their designs, and Ben Garret’s says his work was inspired by “Murano Glass and the simple elegance of the designs”. Christian Bowman an upcoming fashion photographer who has covered the event from behind the lens for the last three years says (referring to one of Garret’s dresses), “I’ve never seen white and simplicity used so beautifully”.

Christian Bowman from Bowman Digital was the online media partner for the event and fashion photos from both the preliminary judging and the final parade will be available after October 31st, 2008. There will also be a fashion video streamed online for the first time in the history of the event featuring and exclusive interview with the winner Ben Garrett.