Ben Garret the winner of the Modaitalia 2008 – MSIT Fashion Design Scholarship reveals thoughts about his award winning collection, including his inspiration. See exclusive footage from the final fashion parade in Brisbane.

Christian Bowman and Bowman Digital is the Online Media Partner for Modaitalia 2008. Sign up now to “Keep in the Loop” on the top right hand side of this website for more exclusive Australian Fashion Videos.

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.

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 to win the coveted $7,000 fashion prize. After a preliminary judging at the MSIT “Pret-a-moda” event earlier this month, the winner will receive a scholarship consisting a flight to Italy and a summer course at the world-renowned Polimoda Institute in Florence. The Modaitalia 2008 final event will be held at Old Museum Building at Herston on October 29, 2008.

The Modaitalia scholarship is a highly sort after award, and for some students their entries are 3 years in the making. Maria Maruca the CEO of ICCI says “A record 91 entries were received in 2008 which means that only 20 finalists were chosen from over 260 garments”. Only one winner will receive the scholarship with 4 runners-up’s, including two “Highly Commended” award winners. The judging panel consists of award-winning designers Elio Marzulo from Elio Moda; Pina Fiorenza from Fiorenza Collections; Zena Sciacca frmo Red Cordial and fashion agent guru Maria Lynch from Lynch Fashion Marketing.

Previous winners have come back to Australia with a unique set of skills and international experience that has attracted top Australia fashion labels including Billabong, Colorado, and Maiocchi to employ them as designers.

Modaitalia has not only caught the eye of Queensland business, but also that of car giants Ferrari, Maserati and Fiat who will be showcasing their cars at the October 29 event. Italian food icons Barilla Pasta and Lavazza Coffee are other key supporters for this big Brisbane event. Guests can also look forward to having their taste buds tantalised with mouth-watering Italian delicacies from some of Brisbane’s best Italian restaurants.

Modaitalia is an exclusive event that highlights, promotes and develops bilateral trade in the fashion and lifestyle sector. The event aims to showcase how Italy has contributed to Queensland’s lifestyle with it’s many ranges of products including design, cars, fashion and food. It is also an opportunity to recognise the endeavours of upcoming fashion designers in Queensland.

ICCI Queensland is the youngest Italian Chamber of Commerce operating in Australia. Established in 1989, it received official recognition from the Italian Government in 1995. It is part of the Assocamerestero network and works alongside 70 other Italian Chambers of Commerce in almost every country in the world.

Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE offers practical, flexible training from experienced industry professionals. With over 400 courses across ten campuses throughout south Brisbane, MSIT can help students start or advance their careers, return to the workforce or build a pathway to university or further study. MSIT offers more than just a piece of paper. They will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your personal and career goals.

Tickets to Modaitalia 2008 can purchased from the ICCI via their website at www.icci.com.au or via the MSIT website at www.msit.tafe.qld.gov.au

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If you would like more information about this topic or to get media access to the event, please contact Maria Maruca on 0417 786 750.

If you would like photographs from the Modaitalia events, please contact Christian Bowman via email on mail@christiabowman.com

Tonight I was at the QDOS awards taking pictures, video and interviewing.

Here are the 3 big winners of the night

2008 Queensland Smart State Designer of the Year was Robert Geddes

and Design Excellence Awards went to Infinity Design and Queensland Art Gallery

Lots more to come soon…

I’ve finally finished editing these pictures, I’ve had such a backlog of jobs to do and setting up my online photostore has taken longer than I expected.

Here are the fashion photos from the QUT Fashion Design Graduates Parade from 2007.

I’d love your feedback on these, please leave a comment!

Clip from Channel 9′s live telecast of the 2008 NRA Fashion Design Awards. See the full coverage again on Channel 9 on Saturday 22nd of March, 2008. Lock it in!

Brides Desire by Airs & Graces – QEvents Bridal Award Winner

For those of you who have ever wandered the Valley markets on a Sunday, you may recall a distinct melody dancing from the bottom of the Brunswick st mall. If so chances are you were experiencing the unique, raw sound of Anna Weatherup. A local Brisbane girl, who spends hours sitting in coffee shops, dreaming of a successful career in music. A dream, of which is currently taking shape for Anna, as a reality.

Two years after moving from Townsville to Brisbane, Anna is releasing her first EP titled truth. The launch of ‘Truth’, which is booked to take place in March, will be one of Anna’s last performances before she heads south to Melbourne. Where she plans to sneak her intriguing, goose-bump material into the buzzing scene of Victoria.

‘Truth’ possesses a very individual sound with genre influences such as rock, blues, folk and even slight touch of country. One must experience a live performance of Anna to connect with the soulful, thought provoking, reflective personality, which is portrayed in her music….. Must check it out!!!

Anna Weathup EP Launch

THURSDAY MARCH 6, 2008
The Globe, Fortitude Valley QLD

8:00PM

Tickets on sale now at OzTix
Tickets available at the door for $15 (if not sold out)

Apply now for tickets before they sell out!

I got a call during the week from an editor of The Daily Mercury, a newspaper in Mackay to use one of my photos for an article on a fashion design student from QUT. They requested three photos for consideration from a shoot I did at the QUT Fashion Graduate parade in 2006.

I’ll post the PDF of the article when I get a chance later… or will I?

UPDATE: Brad Webb of Darb Couture took out the Supreme Award for the night as Best Fashion Designer in Australia, the second year runnning. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh won the Kids and Innovation awards. Mark Valenton of Metropolitan Institute of TAFE won the student award and if you remember from my shoot at modaitalia, he was the winner from that event this year.

Today I attended the full dress rehearsal at the NRA Australian Fashion Awards Finals on the Gold Coast. This is the 26th year that the awards have been held and is now known for being the longest-running, continously televised fashion event on Australian television. I had the opportunity to shoot at the dress rehearsal and you can view the Fashion Photography photos I took here.

Moved to the new month of December, the final parade will be broadcast on Channel 9 with hosts Richard Wilkins and Deborah Hutton.

The awards are part of the 2006 NRA Fashion Festival which is held on the Gold Coast, various events have been held such as local performances and opportunities to meet stars like Katie Fischer who is also the face of AMP Capital Shopping Centres. The fashion awards showcases the best student and label designers in Australia. The Queensland Government is the other major sponsor for this event and has been a major part in Fashion development in Australia.

There were some extra highlights to the final parade including dance performances and visual displays such as the one below where the female dancer would appear in a new outfut in a matter of seconds underneath the flicker of a sheet of cloth. Almost a magical act, this would have been a treat for guest during the main event.

If my hair smells like smoke, it will take me twice as long to shower as I usually have to wash my hair twice. Also, my jeans will need to go in the wash if I want to wear them again the following night. If every weekend that I go out, i wash my hair twice and put on a load just to wash my jeans, I’ll be consuming more water than is necessary.

If someone was to work this all out there would be a significant saving across the state each year. Just imagine how much water I use for the extra 3 mins it takes for to wash my hair twice, and how much extra water i use just to put on the smallest load to wash jeans. If a large number of people, in my demographic, does this once a fortnight each year, then these new smoking laws are helping more than just our lungs. Brisbane and Logan are on a level 3 water restriction which is a total ban on outdoor hosing.

From the Queensland Government Tobacco Laws web page:

Indoor Smoking Bans
The whole enclosed area of liquor licensed premises must be no-smoking.

Poker Machines
All poker machines at a liquor licensed premises must be no-smoking.

Outdoor Smoking Bans
Non-enclosed eating and drinking areas where food or drink is provided as part of a business, must be no-smoking.

Pubs, clubs and casinos may set aside Designated Outdoor Smoking Areas where only smoking and drinking can occur. These areas must be under the control of a Smoking Management Plan for the venue.