Balcatta designer Rina Chen at the fashion show with Viviens models.
Camera IconBalcatta designer Rina Chen at the fashion show with Viviens models. Credit: Supplied/John Koh

Balcatta designer Rina Chen wins two prestigious student fashion awards

Laura PondStirling Times

BALCATTA designer Rina Chen has won two prestigious student fashion awards.

Her collection Wabi-Sabi featured at South Metropolitan Tafe’s annual graduate fashion show this month.

The 28-year-old was awarded Student of the Year at the show, as well as Range of the Year.

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Chen said she was motivated to study fashion after developing a passion for the industry through working in marketing and design.

“In my former career I documented the editorial of fashion trends and became captivated by the fashion industry,” she said.

Her eight-look collection was inspired by the Japanese philosophy of beauty.

“Tireless experimentation with silhouette, drape and body proportions has occupied my design development process,” she said.

“I endeavoured to achieve an understated effortlessness through clean pattern-cutting and tailoring techniques.

“Wabi-sabi combines both western and eastern aesthetics of fashion as an expression of my own heritage.”

Chen plans to establish a career in the local fashion industry after graduation.

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