Ara fashion design ākonga has triple triumph at Hokonui

_{Alex's garments are modelled by from left Izaah Iosefo, Eryn Phillipson and Gabriel Mitchell. Photo: Jackie Gay, Still Vision Photography.}

When Alex O'Hagan and his friends switched off the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards livestream after celebrating an early category win on Saturday, he thought his night was over.

A short time later, messages started arriving. He'd won another award. Then another.

By the end of the evening, the Ara Institute of Canterbury Bachelor of Design (Fashion and Technology and Design) ākonga (student) had claimed three major honours, including the Mataura Licensing Trust Award of Excellence, capping off a remarkable night at one of New Zealand's leading fashion competitions.

O'Hagan won the Dunedin Airport Open Collections Award before going on to claim the Best Use of Fabric Award and the award for overall excellence.

"It was such a shock. I genuinely didn't expect to win, so to come away with three awards was pretty amazing," said O'Hagan.

The award-winning collection emerged from a summer internship completed as part of his studies and formed a significant chapter of his final-year learning journey.

Drawing on that experience, O'Hagan developed a collection exploring the relationship between control and spontaneity within the creative process.

"The whole concept was about control and a lack of control, and finding a balance between the two," he said.

"I was working with tailoring, which is all about structure and precision, but I also wanted to create moments where the fabric and movement could take over. It reflects that tension between planning everything and letting things happen naturally."

Judge Dayne Johnston, Head Designer at Kowtow, said the panel was instantly drawn to the winning collection.

"What really stood out was the designer's understanding of how to work with the chosen fabric. It felt elevated, innovative and aligned with international trends," he said,

"The proportions were incredible, creating silhouettes that felt both modern and beautifully balanced. The craftsmanship was exceptional, with every detail thoughtfully executed. It was a collection that demonstrated both technical excellence and a strong creative vision."

Senior Academic Staff Member and Fashion Programme Co-Lead Nathan Ingram said O'Hagan's success was built on a strong conceptual foundation and a willingness to challenge himself throughout the design process.

"Alex presented a strong proposal at the beginning of the year with this project. He understands that a strong body of work is built on the foundation of a solid concept," Ingram said.

"He relentlessly explored how that concept could be realised and pushed himself through the technical execution of the work. The collection reflects both his creative vision and his commitment to developing the technical skills needed to bring that vision to life."

_{Alex's collection will now feature in a New Zealand Fashion Week exhibition}

A standout piece within the collection was a structured velvet double-breasted jacket featuring gathered tulle elements and dramatic detailing designed to embody that contrast between order and freedom.

While thrilled with the recognition, O'Hagan remained characteristically modest.

"I can be pretty critical of my own work, so having it recognised like this has given me a real confidence boost as I prepare to take the next step into the industry," he said.

O'Hagan credits Ara's practical, hands-on approach to teaching with helping him develop both his creative and technical capabilities as a designer.

"What I've really valued about studying at Ara is how practical it is. You're learning the technical skills needed to make garments to an industry standard, while also having tutors who know you and support your development as a designer."

Ara fashion tutor Denise McKee, who attended the awards ceremony in Gore and accepted the honours on O'Hagan's behalf, said the achievement reflected his dedication throughout his studies.

"Alex's success is a testament to his commitment. He's taken what he has learned at Ara and applied it thoughtfully to create a collection that reflects both his technical skills and creative vision.

"It was a privilege to attend the awards and accept these honours on his behalf. We're incredibly proud of Alex and all the learners who represented Ara at Hokonui. Their achievements reflect the creativity, hard work and perseverance that underpin our fashion programme, and it's wonderful to see that recognised on a national stage."

_{Left: Holly Liberona's Open Gala category entry. Right: Second Year ākonga Isabella Fenton working on her Open Avant Garde entry}

The 2026 Hokonui results also saw success for other members of Ara's fashion community, with fashion programme co-lead Holly Liberona named runner-up in the Open Gala category and second-year ākonga Isabella Fenton earning a Highly Commended placing in the Open Avant Garde section.

The results add to a long tradition of success for Ara's fashion programme, with both learners and tutors regularly recognised on the national stage.

There's been little time for O'Hagan to dwell on his Hokonui success. On Monday he was back at Ara completing a proposal for his graduate collection, the final major project of his degree.

With one award-winning collection now behind him, his attention is already turning to the next.