New Zealand's cream of fashion design talent has made the cut for Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2006, with more shows on the schedule than ever before.
The impact of what the event has done to focus the New Zealand fashion industry and build credibility for the designers is reflected in the bumper line-up of new and established designers, who will show their Winter 2007 collections at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour Marine Village from 18-23 September 2006.
The sixth collections will feature every aspect of New Zealand's fashion style, from the haute couture bridal and evening wear of an ex-pat designer living in Dubai who designs for daughters of Sheikhs, to the funky streetwear of urban labels like Huffer, who are showing for the first time.
Mrs Stewart highlighted the number of new designers on the schedule as a major selling point for international buyers and media.
“We have more interest than ever before, particularly from the States and Asia. As well as current designers they are keen to see new designers. There's a hunger out there for new labels and new ideas and New Zealand designers are reflecting that.”
The clearest sign of New Zealand's credibility on the world stage is the level of interest in the collections, despite the fact that London Fashion Week will run at the same time as the Auckland event.
The decision to stage the collections a month earlier this year was driven by the designers. They want the New Zealandshows to capitalise on buying cycles in key markets, particularly Australia.
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