Designer wrapped with success of her scarves

Mount Maunganui's Abby Mattock had three of her scarves showcased at an Auckland fashion event on Saturday. Photo/John Borren

From small town Mount Maunganui to the runway, Abby Mattock is making ripples in the fashion world.

The 23-year-old finished her fifth and final year of study at Massey University last year and on Saturday, was lucky enough to have some of her pieces showcased at a fashion event in Auckland.

Miss Mattock went for an interview in Auckland to work with designer Vicki Taylor and although she was told there were no jobs available, the designer told Miss Mattock she loved her scarves and asked for three to be used in her upcoming fashion show.

Miss Mattock already had two scarves made but had to quickly take to her knitting needles to whip up a third and send it away for the show, held on Saturday.

As well as having her pieces shown on the runway, Miss Mattock was given VIP seats to the show.

"It was quite weird watching everyone watching my stuff and taking photos. There were three models in my stuff, they were staggered down the runway so they were standing there for about 15 minutes. "It was a pretty big deal being alongside Vicki who has been in the business for 15 years, it's a big deal having someone like that wanting to put your stuff in her collection."

Miss Mattock was planning on doing a series of internships with Vicki Taylor and hoped to get a job in the fashion industry.

"Job hunting for grads in my field is pretty hard. In the meantime I'm working to save money towards my internship. All the jobs available out there want experience. If people are hearing about me, it's more likely when they get some CVs and read my name they'll realise they've seen it before."

Miss Mattock spent five years in Wellington to get her honours in fashion and undergraduate in business.

She said she designed 27 pieces for her collection, which were inspired by ageing and finding the beauty in what was left behind.