Mele Alamoni and Patricia Santos have always wanted to make clothes. Last week, the two talented Kelston College students won best traditionally inspired garment at this month’s Westfield Style Pasifika awards. It has been a rapid rise to fame for them. Mele, a New Zealand-born Tongan, explained to a local daily that “my family hasn’t always had enough money for buying outfits so I’ve always been into sewing my own dresses.” The wining garment was inspired by Tongan tatoo patterns. Patricia (Philippines-born) said “it’s pretty amazing just seeing our dresses being modelled at such a big show.” The two girls have been close friends since intermediate school and plan to study their craft at AUT next year.
(Picture of Mele Alamoni and Patricia Santos’ winning dress. Image from Designer Direction Website.)
