By Jessica Micallef
A Lancefield resident’s flair for fashion has won a first-placed prize at the recent Fashion Awards Australia.
One of Hayley Shanahan’s four designs won the TAFE long gown section. The dress showcased her detailed beading, embroidery and technical work.
Ms Shanahan, who doesn’t work in the fashion industry, said she began sewing by making her daughter’s dance and gymnastics costumes.
She said attending the awards night was a great experience.
“It was a wonderful experience … I had a go to see what would happen. I wasn’t confident but winning was an added bonus,” Ms Shanahan said.
Ms Shanahan said she spent 80 hours on hand beading the winning gown.
Her designs were among hundreds of outfits paraded down the catwalk at last month’s event in Hoppers Crossing.
The annual competition aims to recognise talented school and TAFE students and new and emerging fashion designers.
