Otago Polytechnic graduates Sara Dooley and Faye Ma feature in the September issue of Vogue Italia, as part of the iconic magazine’s showcase of new talent from the world’s top fashion schools.
Photographs of the designers’ collections are printed in the Vogue Talents supplement, along with their sketches, email addresses and information about Otago Polytechnic.
Sara Dooley says she was shocked when Fashion Academic Leader, Margo Barton, informed her that Vogue Italia had selected her collection for publication.
“I just thought it was crazy, and wondered how on earth it had happened. It’s really hard to describe; it was so surreal.
To have your work in Vogue is a dream.
You wouldn’t even think it would be possible!”
In addition to her appearance in the magazine, Sara’s portfolio will be displayed at the Vogue Fashion Fund’s Who is on Next? event in Milan, at the start of the prestigious Milan Fashion Week. “It’s such amazing exposure. For a designer from New Zealand to have her work on show at an event run by Vogue in Milan is just huge,” says Sara.
Faye Ma was also thrilled when she found out she had been selected for the magazine. “I feel very proud of myself for such an achievement. It felt like I had jumped over the moon!” She adds, “It also gives me more motivation for starting my own label; it builds my confidence. I believe that this is just the beginning.”
Faye has already attracted international attention as a result of her work appearing in Vogue Italia. “I have received an email from a French fashion photography agency which wants to look at collaborating with me, so that’s very exciting.”
Images 1-4 Sara Dooley
Images 5-8 Faye Ma
– Imagery Chris Sullivan, from Seen in Dunedin