Fashion designer Lee Williams welcomes surprise intern at NZ Opera School in Whanganui

Sai Lovegood and Lee Williams are working on the wardrobe for this year's New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui. Photo / Fergus Reid - ANZOS

Whanganui fashion and textile designer Lee Williams, head of wardrobe at the New Zealand Opera School, is still astounded at how this year’s intern joined her.

The opera school at Whanganui Collegiate School, an annual event led by founder Donald Trott for the past 30 years, is under way until January 19.

Williams was at UCOL, where she teaches, when her long-term intern told her she could not work at the opera school this year due to a personal issue.

But before Williams had time to fret, Japanese woman Sai Lovegood, who has a degree in fashion and textiles, walked by with a group from economic development agency Whanganui & Partners and two Japanese visitors.

Sai is also a professional musician who plays experimental hip-hop.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was told that Sai needed a job and, if I could help, the business would fund her placement.”

Sai had come to Whanganui after being invited by two local musicians who had heard her perform in Tokyo.

“I decided to come because it was good for me to work on my English ... to be surrounded by English,” she said.

She is a finalist for selection to play at the South By Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas.

“It is a special opportunity for me and now I also have a special opportunity at opera school - I am very lucky.”

Williams said having Sai as her new intern was a dream come true.

“I think it was meant to be. Literally, the same day I found out my longtime intern couldn’t do this school - it’s quite incredible.”

Williams, who owns textile and design studio Studio Paetuia in Victoria Ave, said preparing the wardrobe for the school always starts with deciding on the theme: ”That’s when the work begins. It really is a superb finale to the school."

For Sai, the opportunity is exciting and challenging.

“I will love it, I really will. This is very different and so, so lucky for me.”