Ex Wairarapa designer wins scholarship

FASHION KING: Former Wairarapa College student Isaac Coulston has won a scholarship which will take him to India. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

India beckons for a former Wairarapa College student who has been awarded a fashion scholarship to experience the vibrant and colourful continent.

Isaac Coulston, 20, is one of 20 Fashion Tech students from Wellington and Auckland chosen to travel to India for a five-week international taste of the fashion industry.

"I'm absolutely stoked," Coulston said.

"I had my fingers crossed since we were told about the scholarship."

Now in his second year of study in Wellington, he may have had his fingers crossed but it was his talent, originality and love of clothes that secured him the scholarship.

"I love making stuff. When mum first showed me how to use the sewing machine she couldn't get me off it.

"I wear and sell my own clothes, I never buy them, I just make them," he said.

Earlier this year, students were instructed to create a new look using hand-woven silk saris from India as part of the Resene Fashion Tech Colour of Fashion competition.

Coulston believes the originality of his "edgy" design helped in his application for the India scholarship.

As part of the Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia, he will live and breathe the colourful Indian fashion culture, learning about fabric technology and overseas manufacturing.

"I haven't done much travelling, only to Aussie a couple times when I was younger so I'm looking forward to experiencing a different place.

"It will be awesome to make contacts over there for the future," he said.

The students will bring along their new garments, some of which appeared in NZ Fashion Week, to show off on a glittering Indian catwalk.

The eight Wellington students and 12 Auckland students depart for Coimbatore in the south of India in November.