Resene Colour of Fashion winner is applauded for his grape design

14 Dec 2022

Fashion graduate Henry Calkin has taken out the win in the Whitecliffe and Resene Colour of Fashion 2022 programme. Inspired by the Matariki star cluster, Henry’s design was complete when he found the colour that matched his vision.

Using a new colour from the Resene The Range fashion collection, Henry designed a garment using bold Resene Grape Escape, which he likens it to the night sky when the stars shine through. Henry knew this was the colour when he first held the fabric in his hands before the project began earlier in the year.

With NZ Fashion Week right around the corner, we will see exciting new colours and shades stepping onto the runway and added to the trend list for the year ahead. Resene Grape Escape is one of these and we are sure you will see more of this over 2023. 

Fashion designers are taking their inspiration from experience, nature and childhood, with interpretive designs having more meaning than ever, and colour plays a huge part of bringing a piece together.

Resene has just released the new colours which the students used for their designs, including Resene Very Berry, Resene Coconut Ice, Resene Kombucha and Resene Grape Escape. With a brief to design a fashion look that would inspire globally, the students used these stimulating new colours alongside inspiration from nature and from their own worlds.

For Henry, he began with his connection to the Matariki stars, leading him to the colour that reminded him of the night sky. He created the stars from laser-cut from silk, along with macramé ties woven together like flax, and a cloak-like shawl.

“Te Ao Māori influences were strong where I grew up in Raumati, and I also wanted to capture that in my design,” says Henry. 

Originally from Raumati Beach, Henry took his inspirations from his childhood on the Kapiti Coast, and these details are what won him first place. After watching this Resene project since year 1 of his studies, the fashion graduate is honoured to be a part of this project himself, and even more honoured to have won.

Celebrating its 9^th year running, Resene Colour of Fashion is a fashion education project that is part of the curriculum in the final year for students completing a three-year diploma in fashion technology.

“Henry’s design was a stand-out, wholeheartedly celebrating the Resene colour and responding so well to the idea of bringing influences and experiences from his own life to the design,” says Karen Warman from Resene.

“We love giving students a chance to explore their creativity with colour, and experience this aspect of the fashion industry before they embark on their careers. Resene is proud to support New Zealand’s next generation of fashion talent and we look forward to the tenth year of Resene Colour of Fashion with Whitecliffe in 2023.” 

As Henry embarks on his journey in the fashion world, his next move is to become a workroom assistant. He knows this project provides graduates with a foot in the door of the industry they dream of and have worked so hard to join, especially over the three years of the pandemic. 

Resene Colour of Fashion with Whitecliffe has seen many third year fashion students inspired to reach for their goals in this challenging yet rewarding industry. With a cash prize of $1000, we are sure Henry will put this to good use to pursue his next moves in his fashion career. 

If you’re thinking of using Resene Grape Escape on interiors, it’s ideal as a feature wall or accent front door, paired with some off-white neutrals like Resene Alabaster or Resene Half Bianca. 

Published: 14 Dec 2022