Celebrating Creativity at the 2026 Major Textiles Project Showcase

This week our Textiles and Design students proudly showcased their 2026 Major Textiles Projects, celebrating months of creativity, perseverance and exceptional craftsmanship. The evening brought together students, families, friends and staff to recognise the remarkable dedication required to transform an initial idea into a sophisticated and highly personal textile creation.

Each project represents far more than the finished piece on display. Behind every garment, quilt and textile artwork are countless hours of research, design development, experimentation, problem-solving and technical refinement. Throughout the year, students challenged themselves to master new construction techniques, refine their creative vision and overcome the inevitable setbacks that accompany every ambitious design process.

This year’s showcase highlighted an extraordinary breadth of inspiration and creativity. Students drew influence from historical fashion, contemporary performance, literature, music, film and popular culture, each interpreting their inspiration in a unique and innovative way.

Visitors were treated to a stunning collection of projects including:

• concert wear inspired by Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer and their Youngblood album, translating music into wearable storytelling through symbolism, tailoring and textile techniques;
• flowing gowns influenced by Ancient Greek drapery, Mamma Mia! and modern bridal couture, incorporating delicate fabrics and intricate embellishment;
• elegant 1950s Dior New Look cocktail dresses exploring couture construction, corsetry and sophisticated embellishment and fabric manipulation;
• romantic formal gowns inspired by a grandmother’s debutante gown, reimagining a treasured family heirloom through contemporary couture, structured corsetry and timeless elegance;
• beautifully crafted textile artworks inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, combining quilting, embroidery, appliqué, ribbon work and beading to reinterpret Regency-era themes through contemporary textile art;
• an ethereal wearable art gown inspired by Falkor from The NeverEnding Story, featuring iridescent organza, hand-crafted scales and luxurious faux fur;
• contemporary menswear inspired by Hedi Slimane’s Dior Homme collections, showcasing expert tailoring, slim silhouettes and innovative surface manipulation; and
• theatrical costumes inspired by Glinda from Wicked, designed with quick costume changes, dramatic silhouettes and sparkling stage embellishments in mind.

Collectively, these projects demonstrated not only technical excellence but also the students’ ability to research, innovate and solve complex design challenges while developing a distinctive creative voice.

A special acknowledgement must be made to Ms Wagner, whose passion and commitment have helped shape many of these students since they first entered the Textiles classroom in Year 9. Over the years she has patiently guided them from learning the fundamentals of sewing and construction through to mastering advanced textile techniques and sophisticated design processes. More importantly, she has been a constant source of encouragement, inspiration and support. The confidence, resilience and craftsmanship evident throughout this exhibition are a testament to the countless hours she has invested in her students.

We would also like to sincerely thank the families and friends who have supported our students throughout this journey. Your encouragement, patience and understanding, whether through late-night sewing sessions, helping source materials or simply providing reassurance when challenges arose have been invaluable.

Congratulations to every student on an outstanding achievement. These projects represent not only months of dedication but years of developing skills, confidence and creativity. The standard of work displayed this year has been truly exceptional, and we are incredibly proud of what our students have accomplished. We look forward to seeing where their creativity, passion and talents take them in the future.

Stephnaie Ricciutti, Danielle Coffey, Michelle Wagner, TAS Department