SOME of Queensland's most stylish teenagers let their designs speak for themselves at the state heats of the 2010 Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards in Noosa yesterday.

From evening dress to wearable art, the young designers put their best on show as they fought for a place in the national final of the competition.

And with more than 900 secondary students entering the awards nationwide, they had to be good to get a look in.

Awards spokeswoman Lyn Macdonald said the event began in Western Australia 23 years ago and went national in 2006.

The standard of Queensland entrants was “amazingly brilliant”.

“Every year they get better and better.

“We have seen some young designers who have the ability to truly make a mark in the fashion world.”

The awards were not only a chance for young designers to get a foot in the door of the industry, it also helped improve the self-confidence of young entrants.

“Because they design, create and often wear the clothes, it helps build their confidence,” Ms Macdonald said. “They can step back and say, ‘I made that'.”

Although no Sunshine Coast designers were among the eight Queenslanders to go on to the national final in the four categories – evening wear, wearable art, casual wear and society and the environment, Ms Macdonald said their designs were outstanding.

The teenage fashion awards were held at the Quay West Resort and Spa in Noosa, in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival.