Sewtec student at NZ Fashion week
Tihi King has been in the fashion world for as long as she can remember.
Growing up in a family with a passion for designing cool clothes, she caught the fashion bug early.
‘‘I started making clothes to express myself,’’ says the Waiatarua resident. ‘‘In fact, I did my first catwalk when I was just 12.’’
‘‘However, being creative isn’t enough,’’ says Tihi, now 29 years old.
‘‘Without skills like machining, cutting and pattern making you can’t be a professional. You must learn how to cut, sew and design properly for different body shapes.’’
Tihi chose to train with Sewtec Fashion Academy. According to her, Sewtec has a creative vibe where creative people can better themselves.
‘‘They have a fantastic bunch of students who make it a fun place to study, but what makes Sewtec a truly great place is the faculty,’’ she says.
‘‘The tutors would lift my spirits each time I had selfdoubts.
‘‘The motto they drill into you is ‘You can do it’. It builds your confidence, which is critical for success in the fashion industry’’.
Still, going back to study wasn’t easy, especially with a toddler to take care of. However, Tihi discovered an environment tailored to support people with busy lives and families.
‘‘Sewtec allowed me to finish my courses in a timeframe that worked for me’’ she says.
Tihi now has her own avant grade fashion line – Visual-Anti, which she will showcase at Miromoda fashion show as part of NZ Fashion Week.
‘‘I sent in one of my designs and they liked it so much that they offered me a place,’’ she says.
‘‘This is a great opportunity for me to network with retailers, designers and industry.’’
Sewtec’s business mentoring programme is ideal for students like Tihi.
They can work with a business mentor who will help them set up and market a home-based business.
‘‘It feels like being cared for by my own family,’’ says Tihi.
To find out how Sewtec can help you, visit www.sewtec.ac.nz, call 0508 327 872 or search for Sewtec on Facebook.
The academy offers nostrings, free trials on all its courses – so why not see if it’s a great fit for you?