UTS design student wins $10,000 fashion industry award

In a highly competitive field, young fashion and bag designer Danielle Krémer has won the 2011 NSW Business Chamber Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Industry Award.

In her final year of the UTS Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles, Danielle won the award for her innovative business plan for her women's bag range, LIFT.

Ms Krémer said, "I am so excited and honoured to win the award, it is such an amazing opportunity to establish myself within the industry."

The LIFT bag collection will consist of three styles – Stay, Play and Away – in a new take on handbags for women.

One of Danielle Krémer's designs

"The designs are inspired by men's carpenter's bags which are very clever in their functionality. I wanted to integrate this kind of functionality into bags for women that are also well-crafted, aesthetic and made with luxury materials," Ms Krémer said.

Cecilia Heffer Course Director of the UTS Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles said, "UTS has a fantastic partnership with NSW Business Chamber and the students are extremely fortunate.

"NSW Business Chamber members in the TCF industry act as mentors and guest lecturers for students in their final year, preparing them for the challenges of business once they graduate.

"We are expecting great things for Danielle, as she follows in the footsteps of a number of successful UTS graduates and previous winners of the TCF Award including Becky Cooper and Bridget Currer, whose popular Bec&Bridge fashion label is stocked by major Australian retailers."

Danielle will receive a $5,000 cheque and $5,000 of in-kind support from NSW Business Chamber specifically to invest in the launch of her LIFT range.

Carla Zampatti, designer and member of the UTS Vice Chancellors Industry Advisory Board presented the award at the UTS Graduate Fashion Show on Tuesday. In addition to her bag range Ms Krémer's six-look fashion collection was also modelled at the fashion show.

The award is sponsored by NSW's largest business organisation, NSW Business Chamber, in conjunction with the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. The award is open to final-year UTS students completing their Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles who undertake the business planning course at UTS.

Runners-up, Kacey Devlin, and duo May Tin and Rachel Zuch, will each receive a $300 cheque.

The UTS Graduate Fashion Show was attended by industry and fashion aficionados alike, and this year's UTS graduates showcased an awe-inspiring and diverse range of fashion and textile collections including men's and women's wear, swimwear and knitwear.