Alysha Gover had always been inspired by textiles and fashion from a young age, and enjoys creating prints as a key signature to her fashion collections. Moving to Auckland in 2001 from a rural town in Northland she completed her high school and university study in Auckland and Wellington.

Graduating from AUT University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Art & Design, (Fashion major) she went on to complete an Honors’ year in 2009, graduating with First Class marks. For her Masters Degree in 2010 she focused on a fusion of fashion textiles in the area of knitwear technology, using Shima Seiki knitwear machines and digital textile print technology.

In June of 2010 Alysha went to Wakayama, Japan to learn more about the digital knit and print technology first hand from the Shima Seiki training headquarters, “which has really helped me focus more in depth with my master’s research, and learn what is possible through the use of this technology” Alysha says. In July 2010 Alysha won the Hokunui Fashion Awards Street wear section with one of her print–on-knit garments and she was the also winner of the overall Ensign Award of Excellence. This has helped her to establish a ‘signature style’ with digital print on knit as an emerging fashion/textile designer.

“New Zealand is renowned for its merino wool industry, and combined with the application of creative technology such as this we have the potential to really market ourselves effectively in the field of knitwear”.

Her Autumn/Winter 2010 collection, “Defining Flight” combines innovative and cutting edge technology of digital textile printing, with beautifully draped fine gauge New Zealand merino dresses. These garments are all made using ‘seamless’ knitwear technology, for maximum comfort and elegant garment silhouettes. The aesthetic inspiration was a chic, effortless look inspired by oriental print fused with New Zealand metaphors.

For more information about the T+DL facilities visit http://www.tdl.aut.ac.nz
Contact Alysha Gover: alyshajoy@gmail.com