Chanel and Dior at 2011 iD Dunedin Fashion Week

24 Jan '11

3 min read

Imagine inheriting a fabulous wardrobe full of priceless vintage items including Chanel and Dior? For Charlotte Smith, owner and curator of the largest private vintage clothing collection in Australia, this was a dream come true. She will arrive in Dunedin, New Zealand, as iD's special guest, with treasures from her precious Darnell Collection gracing the catwalk of the iD Dunedin Fashion Show on Friday 8 April and Saturday 9 April 2011.

Key Points

• The Darnell Collection is Australia's largest private collection of international vintage couture clothing and accessories. Fifteen stunning pieces including original items designed by Chanel and Dior in the 1960s will be shown on the catwalk, providing an unforgettable glimpse into a magic wardrobe every woman would love to own.

• Charlotte Smith inherited the collection of over 3000 priceless pieces from her American godmother, Doris Darnell, in 2004. Smith realised the value of the collection when she discovered her godmother's 'book of stories' – including stories of the women who wore these treasures for the first time. The collection has grown to 5000 items.

• A guest lecture on the history of the Darnell Collection will be given by Charlotte Smith, curator and author of Dreaming of Dior and Dreaming of Chanel, during iD Dunedin Fashion Week.

• Watch out for further details of the 2011 iD Dunedin Fashion Week including special guest designers, judges, VIPs and events.

• For the third time, Pacific Blue Airlines is a major sponsor and official airline for the 2011 iD Dunedin Fashion Week. The airline will be giving away four travel prizes, including return flights for two people from Dunedin to Brisbane. One of these trips will be awarded to an Emerging Designer winner. Three trips will be given away to a guest in a 'lucky boarding pass draw' at each of the key events, the International Emerging Designer Awards and the iD Dunedin Fashion Show.

Quotes

Charlotte Smith, curator of the Darnell Collection
Inheriting the Darnell Collection has completely changed my life and to be invited as a guest of iD Dunedin Fashion Week is an exciting opportunity to take the collection internationally and add yet another story to this adventure.

"I love working with students and anyone fascinated by and passionate about fashion and recognise the importance of vintage clothing as educational and inspiring. The collection has brought my family full circle back to New Zealand, following in the footsteps of my great- great-grandfather, Sir Edward Stafford who was elected Prime Minister of New Zealand in the mid 1800s and helped establish the wool industry in New Zealand.”

Susie Staley – Chair of iD Fashion Committee
“This is the first time the Darnell Collection has been shown in New Zealand. We are very fortunate that Charlotte will be sharing her priceless collection, and her knowledge and insights into this amazing collection and its contribution to fashion history. The iD Fashion Show audiences will see and experience firsthand exclusive vintage fashion on the catwalk.”

The iD International Emerging Designer Awards will take place on Thursday 7 April 2011, starting at 7pm. The event will be held at the Lion Foundation Arena, Edgar Stadium, Dunedin, in front of an audience of more than 1200. Doors will open at 6.15pm.

The 2011 iD Dunedin Fashion Show will take place on Friday 8 April and Saturday 9 April, starting at 8pm, in front of an audience of 1500 each evening.

iD Dunedin Fashion Show