Pilbara catwalk glory

15 October 2008

Tiana Clarke with her fashion masterpieceA Sydney catwalk might seem far removed from the steel cap boots and King Gee overalls of the Pilbara, but for talented 17 year old Tiana Clarke, it was a winning combination.

Tiana has recently returned from competing at the national Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards (AFTA) in Sydney, where she gave Sydney-siders a taste of Pilbara style.

Who would have thought silver reflector strips, King Gee navy and fluorescent yellow could look so good?

Tiana, daughter of Dampier Project Integration Maintainer Stephen Clarke, combined a couple of pairs of pants and shirts with a sewing machine and two weeks of stitching to create a glamorous ball gown that took out the “My Country” category in the Karratha finals.

The category provided an opportunity for teenagers from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds to showcase their heritage. Participants designed, made and modelled a garment in one of three categories: casual day wear, evening wear and fantasy wear.

Tiana was awarded first prize for her creation and progressed through to the state ATFA. Here her talent was once again recognised and she took home the state award and progressed to the national final.

The budding designer, who hopes to pursue a career as a professional costume designer, says she drew inspiration for the dress from living in the Pilbara and her dad, who has been in the mining industry for many years.

"My dress is a social representation of Karratha. Living in the Pilbara for 13 years I have grown up with people around me working in the mining industry. It was these elements which influenced my creation," says Tiana.

"Dad gave me some of his old uniforms, while some of his colleagues kindly gave up their old shirts and pants for me to cut up and sew together to create my design."

Rio Tinto contributed $1000 as part of the North West Venture towards the local design heat, and a further $500 to assist Tiana’s travel to Sydney.