Australian Fashion Foundation names local design winners for Europe, US internship

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Dec 20, 2016

The Australian Fashion Foundation on Monday night crowned the two winners of its annual internship program. Emerging designers Deanne Fanning and Hannah Tan will both head to Europe or the US for six months in 2017 to hone their craft under the guidance of a leading fashion brand.

La Trobe University graduate and designer Deanna Fanning took out the women's category, while and University of Technology Sydney graduate and designer Hannah Tan will represent up-and-coming Australian menswear abroad next year.

Each designer will receive a financial grant of more than AU$20,000 (US$14,599) and a six-month internship at a fashion company in the U.S. or Europe. The latter is yet to be confirmed is based on the designer's preference and receiving label's availability.

Meanwhile, two new educational grants have been added to the 2017 AUSFF internship prizes. En route to the U.S. or Europe, both designers will stop off in Hong Kong at The Woolmark Co.’s new Hong Kong Wool Resource Centre. Here, there's opportunity to chat with industry experts and learn the latest in wool innovations, coupled with a private tour of major Chinese manufacturers, spinners and weavers.

The AFF judging panel was comprised of Australian Fashion Foundation cofounder Malcolm Carfrae, InStyle editor in chief Laura Brown, Harper’s Bazaar Australia editor in chief Kellie Hush, stylist Brana Wolf, designer Dion Lee and consultants Nancy Pilcher and Kara Hurry.

Founded in 2009, the AFF has helped Australian designers gain international experience, with the internship catapulting a bevy of Australian designers into the design world.

Alumni of the award include Laura Wade, Tim Watson and Talisa Trantino who have gone on to work in design positions for Nike, Thom Browne, and Australian designer Ellery in Paris.