On March 5, Antonia Schindle made her fashion industry debut in fine style. The 20-year-old University of Manitoba student was one of 25 student designers from across the country invited to compete in the Telio Design Competition during Montreal Fashion Week.

"It was unreal, probably the best experience of my life," Schindle says. "I wasn't one of the five winners, and I know it's kind of cheesy, but it feels like I won because I was there. It was really rewarding."

The designers were asked to create an elegant women's outfit from six metres of fabric provided by Telio. Competitors were to incorporate inspiration from the four basic elements in their creations. Schindle, who is in the textile sciences program at the U of M, showcased a short, long-sleeved dress in a brown wool-rayon blend, adorned with about 80 hand-stitched silk flowers.

"The inspiration I decided to do was the earth theme, because that's what I'm around the most," she says. "I live outside of Winnipeg, closer to Stonewall in a town called Argyle. It's a rural area so I'm surrounded by tons of wildlife, flowers, trees and plants, so I got the idea for the flowers from my mother's garden."

Schindle is considering applying to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City when she finishes her studies at the U of M, is determined to someday work in the fashion industry.

"It's the only thing that would keep me happy," she says. "I would love to have my own line and have my own boutique. Of course those are really big aspirations, but I'd also love to write for a fashion magazine."

As far as fashion writing goes, until Vogue, Elle or Glamour Magazine come calling, the young fashionista is keeping up her own blog, entitled Live Glam or Die.

"I started that in February," Schindle says. "Writing is my other passion. Blogs are a great creative outlet to combine fashion with writing. I don't take it super seriously, it's something fun, but people email me from all over the world. It's really cool to see fashion by other girls my age from all around the world."

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