The Annual FashionACT parade, this year titled ‘The 12th Hour’ showcased the designs of twelve distinctive fashion design CIT graduates, whose individual collections highlighted their unique design aesthetic and professionalism.

The 12th Hour group is one of the most diverse fashion design classes to come out of CIT, with students specialising in corsetry, bridal wear, lingerie, street wear and edgy occasion wear.

The National Museum was transformed into a full runway production, typically seen in the fashion capitals of Paris and New York, with more than 700 industry people, friends, families and fashion enthusiasts gracing the audience.

The evening saw Guyon Holland, co-founder of Australia’s men’s swim wear and underwear label, aussieBum take to the stage with words of advice for the young designers.

Graduating students like Josh Varley praise their CIT training for the amazing collection they were able to create. A rising star of the fashion industry, Josh’s collection includes a series of nine dressed which depict the lifeline of evolution and process, and explores the ideas of interdependencies and information.

“Studying at CIT has provided me a special and unique learning environment that promotes creativity. Being the only male student in the course, it tends to spike interest with many people in the industry, but to hold that interest I need to ensure that I’m designing at the top of my game and take responsibility,” said Josh.

The young 12 have cast their nets wide, while some are taking their collections to Sydney and Melbourne exhibitions, others are already stocked exclusively in boutiques around Canberra, you are guaranteed to see these names again in the not to distant future.