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Fuchsia Hames

Massey University

Born and raised in Wellington in a creative family and community, I am currently completing my Honours degree in Design, majoring in Fashion Design. Over the past four years at Massey University, I have been developing my personal design style and discovering a path I’m truly passionate about. My work focuses on blending sculpture and clothing to create harmonious, wearable designs that challenge traditional boundaries between art and fashion.

Intertwine

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Fashion Competition 2025

In this project, I aimed to intertwine sculpture and dress into a harmonious form. My research began with an exploration of protective wear—both natural and human-made. I looked to nature for inspiration, studying oysters, kina, flowers, cocoons, nuts, and other ecosystems that share a common theme: a contrast between a hard exterior and a soft interior. Though vastly different in form, these natural structures share the purpose of protection, seamlessly combining contrasting elements into a single, cohesive entity. I also investigated traditional and functional human protective dress, such as the garments worn by Iranian shepherds, traditional skirts from Sardinia and Nafarroa, and sculptural work uniforms. The silhouettes found in these references informed my draping process and helped shape the direction of my final design. Drape is my primary design method, which I used to create a transformable garment that offers the wearer a range of styling options. Additionally, I incorporated wood to create a sculptural element—designed like a hairpin—that can be integrated into the garment. This piece serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, blending into the overall design and reinforcing the interplay between hard and soft elements. My goal was to produce a seamless and unified final look that celebrates contrast, transformation, and protection.

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.