High-vis menswear biz

Cutting-edge fluorescent fashions will illuminate the runway at Telstra Perth Fashion Festival's Future Runway showcase, shining a spotlight on the next generation of designers to watch.

In a first for Future Runway, this year's event will feature a new high- vis category, challenging fashion students to create garments using vests normally worn by Telstra technicians.

Curtin University honours student Cordelia Gibbs is one of the 10 aspiring designers whose work will be featured in the new category.

"I thought it would be a really cool category to enter as I've done a little bit of work upcycling items before and it's a process I really enjoy," the budding menswear designer told AAA.

"It's been a really good experience. It was really fun being able to let go and just do something really creative."

Provided with eight Telstra vests to work with, the 22-year-old, who recently won the 2014 young designer category at the Australian Wool Awards, relished the opportunity to create a fashion-forward menswear look by reworking the provided garments.

"Upcycling things gives you a challenge - you can only do so much with the shapes you are given when you take the vests apart," she said.

"It affects where you put the design lines and any features because it all depends on how much fabric you have and where you will need to sew it again."

Festival director Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan said she was very excited to see how the students have transformed safety vests into stylish ensembles.

"Our fashion stars of tomorrow will light up the runway, showcasing their cutting-edge designs with a fluoro flair," she said.

"If anyone is going to rock high-vis vests down a runway - it's our WA designers and models."

Future Runway takes place in Fashion Paramount at the Perth Concert Hall on September 20.