A Cairnlea fashion student has taken up the challenge of dressing a beauty queen.
Salih Nesim has been chosen to design and create an evening gown for ‘Miss Humanity Australia’, Bonnie Stewart, which she will wear next month at the Miss Humanity International Pageant in Barbados.
Apart from its competitive factor, the pageant has the goal of raising awareness and funds for humanitarian campaigns.
“Being able to design the dress for Miss Humanity Australia is an honour,” Mr Nesim said.
The 20-year-old designer, now studying at the Melbourne School of Fashion, crossed paths with Miss Humanity national director Lori-Rose McGinty earlier this year when he launched his eponymous fashion label at Crown Casino.
“She was quite impressed and gave me the opportunity to design an evening dress. She picked out a sketch, and it was exactly what I was hoping she would pick out.”
Mr Nesim says the gown was inspired by a “Melbourne silhouette”, with a fitted bodice and a skirt that flares below the hips.
The silk gown is covered in diamonds, Swarovski crystals, black tulle and Italian lace … and its value is an estimated $200,000.
Mr Nesim counts Elie Saab and John Galliano as his favourite designers.
“Fashion is like a religion, in my eyes … I really want to embrace the old Hollywood style, a feminine style that I think is lacking in today’s society,” he says.
“It’s great to feel beautiful, and that’s what I want to bring out in each and every woman.”
