AUDREY LIM, 20

MOUNTAIN biking does not immediately conjure up images of fashion and chic, but it has worked for Audrey Lim.

The fashion design student at Temasek Polytechnic used the rough and tumble cycling sport as inspiration for her sports-inspired collection, The Venture.

The six-piece 'smart-casual, everyday' women's collection will make references to sporty styles, with androgynous silhouettes, functional detailing and a mesh of fabrics.

She hopes the outfits 'translate the excitement and risk involved in sports to fashion by means of proportions, cut and fit'.

Lim, who did an internship at Singapore-based textile manufacturer Gimmill for three months last year in trend research, says fashion started out as an escape from academics, but has developed into her passion due to its 'challenging and ever-changing nature'.

She, along with friend and fellow finalist Ethel Wee, was encouraged by a Temasek Polytechnic design lecturer to take part in the competition.

'Since we were preparing for our final-year project and had designs and the required materials on hand, we decided to try our luck. It was a surprise for us both that we made it to the final 12,' says Lim, who graduates next month.

She says making the finals of Star Creation is her biggest achievement and describes the one-year internship with FJ Benjamin up for grabs as a 'rare opportunity'.

'I feel that Star Creation will provide young designers with a platform to showcase their talent to the industry and the public, and open the door to future opportunities,' she says.

'Young designers here need such a catalyst to work harder and participate in more design competitions.'

>> Talent spotting

This article was first published in The Straits Times.