Audino heeds NY call
Perth's own Steph Audino has jetted off to the United States to pursue an opportunity many designers only dream about - a runway showcase at New York Fashion Week.
Most designers spend months, even years, working towards a presentation at such a prestigious international event but Audino only received the invitation very recently, after organisers for the event Fashion Palette discovered her on Instagram.
"I wasn't originally going to New York for Fashion Week - it just came about three or four weeks ago," Audino told AAA.
The 24-year-old was preparing to board a plane to Jakarta in Indonesia to commence production on a new ready-to-wear collection when the call came through inviting her to New York.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, she put her existing production on hold and started work on a signature collection to show at Fashion Palette, working 19-hour days for two weeks straight to meet the deadline.
"I've literally made a whole 20-piece collection in just two weeks," Audino said.
"I found out the day I was heading to Jakarta for production and sampling and that stuff got pushed to the side so that I could focus on this opportunity and make the collection as amazing as I can."
It's hard to believe that Audino's label is only in its second year, with the designer establishing a successful brand, dressing celebrities such as Mel B and Samantha Jade and opening her own studio in Inglewood within that time.
While in the US, Audino will meet agents and publicists in the hopes of adding to her celebrity clientele.
"I would love to dress Giuliana Rancic of E! News - I love her," she said.
"I would also love to dress the Jenners and the Kardashians, I think my draping style would really flatter them. I also love Ariana Grande - she's a new face in the music industry. She's based in New York so when I head there I have a meeting with her agent. I will just have to see what happens."
Returning home on September 17, Audino will showcase a ready-to-wear collection entitled Moroccan Medina at Telstra Perth Fashion Festival's WA Designer Runway showcase on September 20.
