Media statement by Nomonde Mbadi, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs

Young interior designer wins 15th PG Bison Student of the Year Award

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has walked away with yet another milestone achievement as third year interior design student Kylie McFadyen scoops the prestigious 15th PG Bison award.

This is the Department of Interior Design’s second PG Bison award. In 2008 the award was won by Matthew De Beyer. The awards ceremony was held at the Steinhoff Auditorium in Johannesburg on 17 September 2009.

The PG Bison award celebrates local design excellence and recognises talented students who have become leading examples within the local design industry. McFadyen was the only female and interior design student amongst five finalists and her designs have won her an all expenses paid trip worth R100 000 to the Milan Furniture Fair 2010. She said: “It’s awesome to win an award which has been won by people who are now well respected designers, it’s even cooler that I was the only girl among the finalists and the only interior design student but managed to win against architecture students.’

DUT has been participating in this student design category since the establishment of the award in 1994. McFayden’s designs which won her the award reconceptualised generic outlets of Hertz Airport and rental locations with exceptional and innovative skill. The design concept proved to be unique and sets the international Hertz branding apart from its competitors.

DUT Interior Design lecturer, Michelle Hankinson who will be accompanying McFadyen to Milan described her designs as exceptional with a cutting edge concept. ‘Honestly this came as no surprise as Kylie is an incredibly talented student. She has done the Department of Interior Design proud on a wonderful achievement. We are thrilled to have had two consecutive wins in two years. Kylie has shown love for everything she does and I have no doubt she is going to make a serious mark in the interior design profession in years to come.”

Prior to winning the PG Bison award, McFadyen’s designs were chosen to revamp Wylie House, a children’s home for the abused and abandoned, in Morningside, Durban. She said her love for people and design determination is what keeps her inspired and at the top of her game.

Caption (from left):
PG Bison CEO Jan Van Der Merwe, DUT Interior Design lecturer Michelle Hankinson, 2009 PG Bison award winner, Kylie McFadyen and Justin Berry PG Bison’s Group Product and Marketing Manager

Picture supplied by: PG Bison

For comment, please contact:

Kylie McFadyen on: 083 4948467

Email: kyliemcf@gmail.com

Michelle Hankinson: 031 373 6507
Email: michelleh@dut.ac.za