Soft, fluid and enveloping clothes are the trademark look of QUT graduate designer Ana Diaz, her materials of the moment being modal, 100% pure new wool and kangaroo leather.
Ana's final-year collection of winter pieces has won her a place in the Sportsgirl National Graduate Showcase at the Melbourne Fashion Festival this week. Ana is the only graduate designer to represent Queensland.
The showcase will turbo- charge Ana's career because she will have the chance to show her collection to media, fashion buyers and other industry leaders.
"I'm really excited about Melbourne because it gives me an opportunity to put my work in front of a lot of important people in the industry, make interstate contacts and meet successful designers," Ana said.
"It's a way to quickly build my brand which I want to keep in Australia and take internationally."
Ana was part of the first cohort of 10 to graduate with a double degree in Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Fine Arts (Fashion) last year.
She has recently become a buyer for Brisbane boutique, Violent Green where she worked while a student.
Ana is also receiving help to launch her label, Díaz, under the Queensland government's New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, which offers start-up businesses financial assistance and business mentoring.
"I try to create clothes that women want to wear - quirky, classic shapes with a twist in the fabric or cut. I like to design separates that can be worn alone or layered with the rest of my collection."
For more information visit http://www.diazlabel.com.
