Whitehouse Institute of Design, Brisbane Campus has taken out the top honours at the prestigious Brisbane Fashion Festival Driza-bone Design Competition, winning three out of the four awards on the night.

Competing against Queensland’s fashion schools, QUT Fashion and TAFE Queensland Brisbane, Whitehouse emerged as the standout institution, winning:

• 1st Place Garment Design - Elise Smith
• 3rd Place Garment Design - Gracie Lange and Tilly Walker
• Overall #1 College Prize - Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia

This incredible achievement firmly positioned Whitehouse as the #1 fashion design school in Queensland, demonstrating both the breadth of talent within its student body and the strength of its teaching and commitment to quality of garment make.

Reimagining an Australian Icon

The competition, staged in collaboration with Driza-Bone and S. Kidman, invited final-year students to reimagine the iconic Driza-Bone trench coat for today’s modern traveller. Using heritage fabrics supplied by Driza-Bone, including the brand’s signature ‘Heritage Brown’ waxcloth, each institution submitted a capsule collection of five jackets.

Whitehouse students impressed judges by balancing innovation and marketability, embracing sustainability, and retaining Driza-Bone’s heritage aesthetic while pushing it into the future. Their designs stood out not only for their creativity but also for their global relevance, capturing the attention of both the panel and the audience at the Hancock Prospecting Next Gen Group Show, one of Brisbane Fashion Festival’s headline events.

A Clean Sweep for Whitehouse

By securing both individual awards for garment design and the coveted title of Overall Winning College, Whitehouse proved that its students are among the most exciting new voices in Australian fashion.

“This result showcases the extraordinary creativity, determination, and professional calibre of our students,” said Daniel Clements, Co-Executive Director of Whitehouse. “To win three of the four awards, including the #1 overall prize, is not only a testament to their talent but also a powerful recognition of Whitehouse’s place as a leader in fashion education in the southern hemisphere.”

Recognition and Prize

The results delivered a $5,000 cash prize for the winning student, $2,000 for the third-place designer, and a further $5,000 for Whitehouse Institute of Design as the winning college.

With this sweep, Whitehouse has cemented its reputation for producing industry-ready graduates who are pushing the boundaries of design while honouring Australia’s heritage.

Thank you to Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting for supporting this design project and prize.

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