2005 - Peta Portelli
Peta Portelli graduated from Whitehouse Institute of Design in 2005 with an advanced Diploma of Fashion Design. During her time at Whitehouse she was voted student of the year.
Peta has been very active in the Fashion world and she has been busy making her name known in Australia. She has won first place in the Australian Wool Fashion Awards, Second place in the Cutting In Youth Fashion Design Awards, she has very successful designs and collections and she already has had several magazine articles featured on her.
Peta has been active in the Fashion industry both during and after her studies at Whitehouse Institute of Design. She still tries to be active in the Whitehouse community by helping with the fashion parades and coming to open days Whitehouse hosts.
Peta about her experience at Whitehouse Institute of Design:
"When I came to Whitehouse, I was 16 years of age. I left school early to pursue my life long dream to become a Fashion Designer. Although to not complete my HSC was considered risky by my family and friends, I believed in myself and have worked hard and been determined to fulfil my dream. Studying at Whitehouse is not for the feint hearted, nor is Fashion Design just about liking clothes and following fashion trends; Whitehouse prepares students from concept to creation, styling and selling, preparing students to be innovative and to work in all facets of the industry. Studying at Whitehouse has taken dedication, perseverance and lots of hard work, but more importantly, the last three years that I have studied here, have been the most exhilarating and rewarding years of my life. My achievements, in no small part, can also be attributed to the dedicated, creative and supporting Whitehouse staff that believed in me, and every student, and encouraged us all the way.”
I have assisted with Fashion Week, Myer and David Jones parades, modeled my designs at Randwick Racecourse, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Powerhouse and Maritime Museums, worked in retail, worked in the Design room with Lisa Ho and employed as an Assistant Designer to Charlie Brown. I have enthusiastically contributed to the Institute’s biannual parades and numerous charity events for the Institute and industry.
Accomplishments
- 2005 Selected as ‘Student of the Year’ to represent the Institute in the Textile Institute Award ceremony in Melbourne
- 2005 First place Australian Wool Fashion Awards (Collection Category)
- 2005 Second Place Point Zero ‘Cutting In’ Youth Fashion Design Awards (Streetwear Category)
- 2005 Finalist Propeller Fashion Design Awards
- 2005 North Shore Times newspaper article and photo (page 3)
- 2005 My garments selected to represent the Institute in Queensland
- 2004 Smart Start Magazine article and pictures (full page report)
- 2004 North Shore Times newspaper article and photo (page 3)
- 2003 Gained my first A+ (an Institute rarity)
If you are a Whitehouse alumnus we would love to hear your story, please email it to the Webmaster - library@whitehouse-design.edu.au