A Christchurch fashion student has won three major honours at the 2026 Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, taking out the Open Collections category along with the Best Use of Fabric Award and the Mataura Licensing Trust Award of Excellence.

Ara Institute of Canterbury student Alex O’Hagan claimed the awards at the weekend ceremony in Gore for a collection developed during his final year of study.

“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) student said.

The collection grew out of a summer internship completed as part of his studies, and explores the relationship between control and spontaneity in the creative process.

Judge Dayne Johnston, head designer at Kowtow, said the panel was drawn to the entry immediately.

“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 attended the ceremony and accepted the honours on O’Hagan’s behalf.

“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.”

Other members of the Ara fashion community also placed at the 2026 awards. Fashion programme co-lead Holly Liberona was named runner-up in the Open Gala category, and second-year student Isabella Fenton earned a highly commended placing in the Open Avant Garde section.

Both learners and tutors from the programme have been regular finalists at the national awards.

O’Hagan has had little time to dwell on the result. On Monday, less than 48 hours after the ceremony, he was back at Ara working on a proposal for his final graduate collection.