Whitecliffe College is proud to celebrate the success of Arionne (Ari) Tresadern, a talented student from Fashion + Sustainability – Diploma in Fashion, who has been named the winner of the prestigious Resene Colour of Fashion 2025.
Her striking design, created in the deep shade of Resene Top Notch, captivated judges and audiences alike, earning her this well-deserved recognition.
Arionne’s winning design drew inspiration from a piece of malachite she rediscovered while visiting her family home. The stone had once belonged to a close family friend, Anne Marie Radmeyer, whose strength and spirit left a lasting impression on her.
“When I first received my Resene colour, Resene Top Notch, it reminded me of words like tranquility, calm, moody and serene. It reminded me of a crystal I’d once come across – malachite.” Arionne explained.
Her design channels the evolving textures and depth of the stone, honouring both its natural beauty and the memory of Anne Marie. The finished garment embodies serenity and resilience, reflecting Arionne’s thoughtful and innovative design approach.
The Resene Colour of Fashion competition has been an integral part of Whitecliffe’s Fashion programmes since 2014, giving students a platform to transform bold Resene colours into original, runway-ready designs.
Each year, students from across Whitecliffe’s Auckland, Manukau, and Wellington campuses embrace the challenge of working with silk twill in new Resene fashion colours. For many, including Arionne, it is both a technical and creative milestone that helps prepare them for the realities of the fashion industry.
Programme Lead Doula Matheos said:
“This project gives our students a real sense of what it’s like to work in the fashion industry. Arionne’s stunning dress is one of 12 standout pieces — each one crafted with exceptional skill and a clear, confident design vision.”
For Arionne, the win carries special meaning beyond her own success.
“I’m a person who tends to get overwhelmed by news like this, so I cried with joy and excitement. I was stunned, as I’ve never won any competition in my life,” she said.
“When I told Dad he was ecstatic, and Mum was so proud of me. It’s rewarding to share this with my mum, as I can now put my certificate for Resene Colour of Fashion under her certificates from Benson & Hedges and Smirnoff awards, earned while she was studying fashion.”
Her achievement adds a new chapter to her family’s creative journey, showing how fashion runs through generations and continues to inspire.
Winning Resene Colour of Fashion 2025 has fuelled Arionne’s desire to take bold new steps.
“Now, I’m eager to dive deeper into the world of fashion – exploring innovative, ambitious designs and pushing the boundaries of my creative capabilities in fashion design.”
It’s a vision that speaks not only to her future but also to the possibilities awaiting the next generation of Whitecliffe designers.
“This competition has not only helped expand my design skills, but has also added a vibrant and fun experience to my time at Whitecliffe,” she said.
Her story is a reminder of how creativity, heritage, and resilience can converge through design – inspiring future Whitecliffe students to explore their own paths in fashion.
Photography by Natasha Boshkovski | Model: 62 Management
