Young Designers Champion Wellbeing and Sustainability at Wearable Arts Competition

Beautification Trust
Aug 1
3 min read

The winners of Eye on Nature Wearable Arts 2025

Students from Botany Downs Secondary College, ACG Strathallan and Papatoetoe South School have taken out top honours at the Beautification Trust’s annual Eye on Nature Wearable Arts competition, with powerful creations exploring the connection between personal wellbeing and the environment.

More than 100 tamariki and rangatahi from 22 schools across Auckland took to the stage at the Due Drop Events Centre on Thursday night, unveiling garments made from natural, recycled and repurposed materials. This year’s theme, ‘Wellbeing – Taiao and Me’, challenged students to express how a healthy environment helps people thrive, mentally, physically and spiritually.

In the Primary category, Room 23 (Year 5/6) from Papatoetoe South School won first place with their garment South Rise Eco Whenua, modelled by Lute Maranatha. The outfit was naturally dyed using turmeric, beetroot, silverbeet and red cabbage, creating a rich, earthy colour palette for the garment which honours Pacific cultural roots. Judges praised the full outfit, including handmade shoes, for its dramatic, graceful design and thoughtful approach to the full cycle of sustainability.

In the Intermediate category, ACG Strathallan Year 8 students Lily Oxley, Mackenzie Archibald, Mackenzie Angell and Greer Mullan took first place with Breath of the Forest. The garment used only materials that can safely return to nature, and explored the idea of the forest’s breath, expressed through wind, light and growth. Judges noted the strong interpretation of the theme and its elegant construction. The flowing train evoked tree trunks and canopy layers, while the movement of the top suggested leaves in the wind, shifting with the model as she walked.

In the High School category, Year 10 student Cybele Stone from Botany Downs Secondary College claimed first place with Unique Spirit. “In a world where fitting in often feels like the norm, my garment celebrates standing out and embracing your true self,” she wrote. The judges praised her powerful storytelling, bold creative flair and strong commitment to sustainability, using materials like paper wrap and scrap fabrics. This marks Cybele’s second win, after placing first in the Intermediate category two years ago; a clear sign of an exciting creative future ahead.

The Beautification Trust Pick award, chosen by staff backstage, was awarded to Ravneet Kaur from Pukekohe Christian School for her garment Joy within Nature. Staff praised the learning demonstrated through her design booklet, which showed deep knowledge of native plants and new creative techniques. The project also reflected the connection and friendship built through the creative process.

Sterling Ruwhiu, Community Programmes Manager at the Beautification Trust, said this year's theme sparked a deep and honest response from students.

“What we’re seeing from these rangatahi is a real reflection of what they’re carrying; stress, pressure from modern life, the weight of the climate crisis, and a deep need to feel connected.”

“For them, nature isn’t just something ‘out there’, it’s something we are all part of. They’re finding peace in the bush, strength in the ocean, and calm in birdsong. Their message is that if we look after the environment, it looks after us. It’s simple but powerful, and it’s coming straight from the next generation. Our job as adults is to listen.”

The event was proudly supported by Principal Sponsor Wiri Licensing Trust, along with Trillian Trust, Auckland Council, and Waka Pacific.

Primary winners:

1st place, $1,000 prize: ‘South Rise Eco Whenua’ – Room 23 (Year 5/6), Papatoetoe South School
2nd place, $500 prize: ‘Whenua Threads’ – Amaya Gupta (Year 5), independent entry
3rd place, $250 prize: ‘South Side Diversity Gal’ – Aaraf Kaur (Year 3), Papatoetoe South School

Intermediate winners:

1st place, $1,000 prize: ‘Breath of the Forest’ – Lily Oxley, Mackenzie Archibald, Mackenzie Angell and Greer Mullan (Year 8), ACG Strathallan
2nd place, $500 prize: ‘Haere, haere te Rātā’ – MacKenzie Spooner and Russet Langford (Year 7), Paparimu School
3rd place, $250 prize: ‘Nature Sees All’ – Charlotte Rosenburg (Year 7), ACG Strathallan

Secondary winners:

1st place, $1,000 prize: ‘Unique Spirit’ – Cybele Stone (Year 10), Botany Downs Secondary College
2nd place, $500 prize: ‘Wētāpunga’ – Casey Ferguson (Year 12), Howick College
3rd place, $250 prize: ‘Ko au te ao, ko te ao ko au’ – Scarlett Wilson (Year 9), Mauri Kura ki Tāmaki