Sarah Fitness

Sarah completed three years at Matamata College before a shift to Waihi College.  Sarah had a flair for maths and science and gained her Level 1 maths in Year 10.  As well she had a flair for fashion design.

Sarah was undecided about her career and didn’t go on to tertiary education on leaving school.  She worked random jobs, mainly in retail, either doing supervising jobs or 2IC/Management positions.

She started her Fashion Design studies in 2011 in Christchurch at the Design and Art College of New Zealand.  Her course was fast-tracked, so what would take most Institutes three years she is able to complete in 2½ years.  Sarah has almost finished her Diploma in Fashion Design and will then take on an Advanced Diploma.  Her studies have been interrupted by the Christchurch quake – they lost their school building and her flat.  There temporary premises is the rugby league hall!   Sarah said this time has been very stressful but she has still managed to get five distinctions and two merits in her first year and so far has very high marks in her second year subjects.

Highlights so far have been the opportunity to go on “What Now” as a fashion mentor for one of their shows.  She had to support a team of three kids from one of the schools and help them design and create an outfit for the show.  She has also shown one of her hats that she designed and made at the Riccarton Raceway during the Cup and Show week – she was very pleased to be placed second!

At the Eco Runway Show, put on in collaboration with the Canterbury University, Sarah designed and modelled a dress made from recycled materials and was rewarded with an interview for Breakfast on TV1.  She has also helped behind the scenes with the Ellerslie Flower Show.

More highlights followed for Sarah – a 4-week internship in September of this year with NZ designer Kate Sylvester in Auckland.    Sarah is currently setting up her own design label under the name “Sarah Alaine” and already she has orders for hats to be designed and has already made a designer dress for her first customer!