TAFE NSW Lismore students of fashion and ceramics launched an exhibition on Friday night to show off their major projects, which they have spent the past six months working on.

Running through to Wednesday, creations on display include Diploma of Applied Fashion Design & Merchandising students’ ready-to-wear and couture garments, each employing a range of different finishing and fabric manipulation techniques.

TAFE NSW students will also be displaying the thought process and development which has gone into the projects including sketches, digital graphics and patterns.

Diploma of Visual Arts (Ceramics) students displayed a range of pottery using ancient and cutting edge techniques.

This exhibition is an opportunity for students to reveal what they have been spending their time on and investing their efforts into as well as to give people a taster of each student’s creative style.

Kate Spurrier from Byron Bay said she loved her course at TAFE NSW and had been lucky enough to secure work placement with popular streetwear brand, Afends.

“I love the atmosphere and the learning environment at TAFE NSW. During my time, I’ve secured invaluable hands-on practical experience,” Ms Spurrier said.

“I’ve been able to do some amazing things during my placement like put together locations and styles for a photoshoot in Japan.”

The exhibition comes as newly released figures revealed a high demand for skilled creative designers in the Northern Rivers.

According to research by Australia’s leading training provider, TAFE NSW, the Northern Rivers ranks as the highest creative industries cluster in NSW behind Sydney, with around 8,960 workers employed in this industry. The Australian Government Job Outlook also suggests there are likely to be around 4,000 job openings for fashion, industrial and jewellery designers over the next five years Australia-wide and 7,000 for visual arts and crafts.

TAFE NSW Fashion Teacher Elke Doust said: “Fashion design is really thriving in the region. You only have to walk through Byron Bay or Bangalow to see the number of boutiques that are opening up with the latest fashion designs, who are not only selling locally but also world-wide.”

TAFE NSW Teacher of Ceramics Liz Stops said her students took their inspiration from “all sorts of places” and it was refreshing to see the creations they came up with.

“It’s so enjoyable guiding TAFE NSW students to discover more by learning techniques as well as making their own.”

Held at TAFE NSW Drill Hall, the exhibition is open to the public every day from 10am to 4pm, ending 3 July.

Various TAFE NSW courses can also be studied online, when and where it suits students, via TAFE Digital.

For more detail on TAFE NSW courses, face-to-face or online, visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.