Whanganui's Isabelle Calver wins big at Toi-Wearable Arts competition

Isabelle Carver says Tekgen is just the first of her wearable art designs. Photo / Bevan Conley

Isabelle Calver has turned her love of cosplay into award-winning wearable art.

The Whanganui Girls College year 11 student was a top-10 national finalist at this year's Toi-Wearable Arts competition, winning the prize for Best Intention of Design Brief in the futuristic section, and coming runner-up for the Bernina's Choice Award.

Calver said making her piece took a lot of planning, and she had created her own species along the way - Tekgen.

"I used different kinds of foam, a lot of hot glue and grey fur.

"There were a few burns along the way, and at one point I thought I'd die from heatstroke."

The hard work paid off, however.

Fashion and design teacher Samantha Overweel said the most impressive thing about Calver's achievement was that she was completely independent for the entire process.

Calver had put in a "huge amount of time and effort" into creating Tekgen.

"I don't think there was a single time when she said 'Hey Miss, how do I do this?'," Overweel said.

"It was the other way around, really. I was going over to her and saying 'this is crazy, how are you going to do that?'.

"I did wearable art when I was at school, but it was nowhere near as out-of-this-world as Isabelle's."

The regional section of the competition was held in New Plymouth, where professional photos were taken and judged by the World of WearableArt (WOW).

Tekgen is a creature created to heal the "barren wasteland" that Earth becomes in the future. Photo / Morgan Creative

"All the photos were mixed up, so the judges didn't know where they came from. The judges just have the image and the description," Overweel said.

"For Isabelle to get chosen in the top 10 in the whole country is pretty incredible."

Calver said as well as creating Tekgen, she also had to wear the outfit at the regional competition.

"As soon as I get into the costume I become the character. It's just a habit.

"In the year 5031, the Earth has been brought to the point of extinction.

"There is no population and no growth, so scientists create these giant creatures (Tekgens) that have the ability to withstand all conditions, and regenerate the planet to be liveable again."

Tekgen would have a companion before long, Calver said.

"I'm already working on another one, and it'll be very different."

As a year 11, Calver would have more opportunities to enter the competition, Overweel said.

Calver's Bernina's Choice Award included a new sewing machine but sewing itself wasn't a necessity when it came to creating wearable art.

"The way NCEA is changing will allow students to delve deeper into their passions. If they want to be in the fashion class but they're not super-passionate about using a sewing machine, they can create something around wearable art, or begin a sustainable project," Overweel said.

"That's really exciting."