In a historic moment for Melbourne Fashion Week (MFW), RMIT students Alexandra Groves and Rubee Hay have secured the top honors by jointly winning the prestigious MFW Student Award. The competition, marked by its first-ever dual winners, saw Groves and Hay present collections that captivated judges, making it impossible to choose between the two outstanding showcases.
Groves’ collection is a testament to her aspiration to craft future heirlooms, redefining luxury and elegance through the medium of knitwear. Employing sustainable hand processes, Groves achieves an intimate exploration of clothing materials, emphasizing the tactile experience of wearing and perceiving garments.
On the other hand, Hay’s collection, titled ‘Broken body, silly little girl,’ delves into vulnerability and protection. Balancing between being a little too small and a little too big, her garments symbolize a young girl shielding herself from the world due to her self-aware fragility. Each design encapsulates a narrative, underlining the influence of language on how we wear and care for our clothing.
Describing the victory, Groves expressed her surprise and joy, stating, “It was very rewarding to see my work being so well received.” She highlighted the special nature of winning alongside Hay and shared the experience with a friend. Groves drew inspiration from the couture designs of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly citing Cristobal Balenciaga’s work, aiming to create enduring garments inspired by that era while remaining contemporary.
RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles, renowned globally for developing highly skilled fashion practitioners, showcased the designs of 20 graduating students during the MFW Student Collections Runway. Groves emphasized her fluid design process, devoid of a predetermined outcome, allowing experimentation and adjustment during collection creation.
Another finalist for the Student Award was Phuc Ung, whose collection ‘I’ll never be as good as Hussein’ presented a subversive parody of renowned fashion designer Hussein Chalayan’s iconic 2007 runway show. Ung, recognizing the unique nature of his work, expressed surprise at the nomination, describing his collection as a tongue-in-cheek reinterpretation for modern fashion enthusiasts.
Looking toward the future, Groves envisions gaining experience and confidence by working for brands and designers in the fashion industry with an experimental approach. Considering opportunities in Europe, particularly in the UK, France, or Italy, Groves sees herself contributing to textile and knitwear development while collaborating with diverse designers and artists post-graduation.
