Source: Ara Institute of Canterbury
Ara Institute of Canterbury fashion ākonga (student) Alex O’Hagan claimed three major honours at the 2026 Hokonui Fashion Design Awards at the weekend, earning national recognition for a collection developed as part of his final year of study.
O’Hagan won the Open Collections category before also receiving the Best Use of Fabric Award and the Mataura Licensing Trust Award of Excellence.
“It was such a shock. I genuinely didn’t expect to win, so to come away with three awards is pretty amazing,” the third-year Bachelor of Design (Fashion Technology and Design) ākonga said.
The award-winning collection emerged from a summer internship completed as part of his studies and formed a significant chapter of his final-year learning journey.
Drawing on that experience, O’Hagan developed a collection exploring the relationship between control and spontaneity within the creative process.
Judge Dayne Johnston, Head Designer at Kowtow, said the panel was instantly drawn to the winning collection.
“What really stood out was the designer’s understanding of how to work with the chosen fabric. It felt elevated, innovative and aligned with international trends.
“The proportions were incredible, creating silhouettes that felt both modern and beautifully balanced. The craftsmanship was exceptional, with every detail thoughtfully executed. It was a collection that demonstrated both technical excellence and a strong creative vision.”
Ara fashion tutor Denise McKee, who attended the awards ceremony in Gore and accepted the honours on O’Hagan’s behalf, said the achievement reflected his dedication throughout his studies.
“Alex’s success is a testament to his commitment. He’s taken what he has learned at Ara and applied it thoughtfully to create a collection that reflects both his technical skills and creative vision.
“It was a privilege to attend the awards and accept these honours on his behalf. We’re incredibly proud of Alex and of all the learners who represented Ara at Hokonui. Their achievements reflect the creativity, hard work and perseverance that underpin our fashion programme, and it’s wonderful to see that recognised on a national stage.”
The 2026 Hokonui results also saw success for other members of Ara’s fashion community, with fashion programme co-lead Holly Liberona named runner-up in the Open Gala category and second-year ākonga Isabella Fenton earning a Highly Commended placing in the Open Avant Garde section.
The results add to a long tradition of success for Ara’s fashion programme, with both learners and tutors regularly recognised on the national stage.
There’s been little time for O’Hagan to dwell on his Hokonui success. On Monday, less than 48 hours after his triple triumph, he was back at Ara completing a proposal for his final graduate collection.
With one award-winning collection now behind him, his attention is already turning to the next.