Emerging local designer and RMIT fashion student, Michelle Czech, has won the 2008 Metlink Design Award for her collection, ‘Endo/Ecto’, presented on Saturday 6 September at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW).

Michelle Czech, surrounded by her winning designs, accepts the 2008 Metlink Design Award presented at Melbourne Town Hall. Photo by Lucas Dawson.

The Metlink sponsored parade, ‘Mixed Tape (Sides A & B)’, which presents the work of RMIT University’s fourth-year Bachelor of Design (Fashion) students, is one of the most anticipated annual MSFW events. Ms Czech received a $3,000 development grant and the chance to design the Metlink Young Ambassador uniform for 2009. Metlink CEO Bernie Carolan congratulated Ms Czech on the award. “Michelle’s work is very impressive and we’re pleased to be able to support such a talented, up-and-coming Melbourne designer.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Michelle’s next design that Metlink staff will wear while out and about,” Mr Carolan said.

Ms Czech is planning to use the grant to add some more outfits to her collection for the Fashion Design end-of-year exhibition.

Underwater biology and science inspired Ms Czech’s autumn/winter range and motivated her to begin experimenting with computer programs to give her a different perspective.

Ms Czech is currently writing her thesis on the awareness of technology within the fashion industry.

Metlink would like to congratulate Michelle on her achievement and wish her the best of luck with her fashion career.