Fashion show

Back-to-Back at Flemington: LCI Melbourne Wins the Emerging Designer Award Again

For the second year running, an LCI Melbourne student has won the Emerging Designer Award presented by Vogue. 

Share
A group of people are posing for a photo on a stage, some are wearing elaborate outfits, possibly for a fashion show or competition. The background features a large screen and stage lighting.

For the second year running, an LCI Melbourne student has won the Emerging Designer Award presented by Vogue. 

At Victoria Derby Day at Flemington, nine LCI Melbourne students were named finalists in this year's award, part of Fashions on the Field. Four of them made the grand final. When the results came through, fashion student Claire Moffat was named the 2026 winner and Amelia Hull was named first runner-up. 

The award celebrates creativity, innovation and sustainability. It recognises emerging designers who push the boundaries of style and craft while designing with purpose: sourcing responsibly, making ethically and reducing environmental impact. 

The winning look 

Claire's winning piece is a sculpted tartan suit. It has exaggerated shoulders, a high standing collar and flared cuffs with an organic, raw-edged trim that is repeated at the hem. A sporran-style pouch and a dramatic feathered headpiece complete the look. Fellow LCI Melbourne student Emma modelled the piece, so both the designer and the model on stage were our students. 

As winner, Claire receives a full-page feature celebrating her piece in the February 2027 issue of Vogue, along with the award's prize package. 

First runner-up 

At first glance, Amelia Hull's piece is a soft cream dress in layers of ruffles and tulle. As the skirt opens, it reveals a panel of hand-cut latticework lit from within. Every opening in the lattice was cut by hand, and the room reacted the moment the light appeared. 

From our Head of Fashion 

“Nine finalists, four grand finalists and back-to-back wins is an exceptional achievement and a testament to the creative talent and calibre of design emerging from LCI Melbourne. 

As a designer and educator, I understand the dedication, experimentation and technical skill required to develop a truly successful fashion outcome. Claire and Amelia have demonstrated a strong individual design identity, exceptional craftsmanship and the confidence to push their creative ideas beyond the expected. 

What makes me particularly proud is seeing our students develop their own distinctive design language and translate ambitious concepts into beautifully resolved garments. These achievements reflect not only their hard work and determination, but also the creative ambition and high standards we encourage within our Fashion programme. 

I am immensely proud of every one of our finalists. They have represented LCI Melbourne with confidence, originality and a genuine understanding of what contemporary fashion design can be.”  

Darran Arabin-Gander, Head of Fashion, LCI Melbourne

 Congratulations to Claire, Amelia, Emma and all nine of our finalists, and thank you to the Victoria Racing Club and Vogue for championing the next generation of Australian designers. 

 Interested in studying Fashion and Costume Design? 

Applications are now open for our February intake: Apply now

The image shows a fashion event with three people on a stage. One person on the left is wearing a grey plaid outfit and a sash that says "Fashion on the Field". The other two are holding microphones and appear to be interviewing the person in plaid.
Three individuals are on a stage, likely at a fashion event. One person, dressed in a striking plaid outfit and a decorative hat, appears to be a contestant or winner, holding a sash. Another person, holding a microphone, is interviewing them, while a third person in an elegant white dress stands nearby.
This image shows a group of six people posing for a photo on a stage, likely after a fashion event or competition. Two individuals are wearing sashes and elaborate outfits, suggesting they are winners or participants.
A group of people are posing for a photo on a stage, some are wearing elaborate outfits, possibly for a fashion show or competition. The background features a large screen and stage lighting.
Three people dressed in formal black attire pose for a photo in front of a "Fashions on the Field" backdrop, surrounded by vibrant floral arrangements.
A fashion show is taking place with models on a stage, one model is wearing a plaid outfit and a sash that says 'Fashion on the Field'. A presenter is interviewing the model.
Two men dressed in formal attire, one in a white suit with artistic prints and the other in a black tuxedo with a cowboy hat, pose for a photo at an event called "Fashions on the Field".
A model poses in a grey and black plaid suit with dramatic sleeves and a sash, standing against a purple backdrop with "FASHIONS ON THE FIELD PRESENTED BY LEXUS" text.
Four individuals, dressed in elegant black attire, pose for a photo on a grassy field. One man wears a cowboy hat and a tuxedo, while the three women are in stylish black dresses and sunglasses.