Aussie fashion guru Nicholas Huxley to attend iD Awards

27 Feb '12

3 min read

Style icon and the head of Australia's most prestigious fashion institute, the Fashion Design Studio at Ultimo's TAFE in Sydney, Nicholas Huxley, will attend this year's eighth iD International Emerging Designer Awards held on Thursday March 29 in the role of guest judge.

A former artist and designer, who has dressed some of the world's most glamorous stars including actresses Zsa Zsa Gabor and Nicole Kidman, Nicholas has also trained many of Australasia's fashion luminaries including Alex Perry, Lisa Ho, Nicky Zimmermann, Wayne Cooper, Dion Lee, iD's international guest last year Akira Isogawa and Dunedin's own Tanya Carlson.

The legendary teacher – who has held the post of Head since 1990 and was last year nominated for a Fashion Group International Lifetime Achievement Award – will join British fashion icon Hilary Alexander and renowned New Zealand fashion designers Margi Robertson and Tanya Carlson on this year's judging panel. Nicholas says he is excited by the opportunity to be part of a must-see event on the international fashion calendar.

“I am thrilled to be part of the iD Awards judging panel for 2012. In the past I have been very aware of the truly high calibre of work submitted and the eventual winners. It's a class act and I'm proud and honoured to be considered worthy of inclusion in the event.”

This year's 28 finalists from seven countries will vie for top cash prizes, including the much coveted Mittelmoda Prize – which gives the winner direct entry to the Mittelmoda Italian Fashion Awards held in Gorizia, Italy.

“Being part of the Mittelmoda Awards in Italy gives the lucky designer the opportunity to showcase their talent to the very fashionable elite in Italy and Europe,” says Nicholas.

“The Mittelmoda Awards are very highly regarded throughout Europe and therefore an inspiring event for any up and coming designer.”

iD Dunedin Fashion Week Committee Chair Susie Staley says the organising committee is delighted to have Nicholas as part of the judging panel.

“Having Nicholas Huxley join Hilary Alexander at the iD Awards show is a real coup for this event. Finalists will have their collections judged by these experts in the industry, giving them invaluable feedback and helping connect this new generation of designers with the fashion world.”

Prizes include Peroni 1st Place NZ $5,000 cash, Caffe L'Affare 2nd Place $3,000 cash and Strawberry Sound 3rd Place $1,000 cash. Aside from the Mittelmoda Prize, other special prizes include Dunedin's Golden Centre Mall prize of $1,000 cash for the most commercial collection and a special Charles Parsons prize of $250 cash and a $250 Charles Parsons voucher. The Awards will be held at the Lion Foundation Arena, Edgar Centre, Dunedin.

Margo Barton, Academic Leader (Fashion) at The School of Design and a team of third year students from the Otago Polytechnic, will manage the iD Awards show backstage.Dunedin based salon Klone Hair, led by Danelle and Karl Radel will take charge of the runway hair creations. Fashion looks for Ali McD's models will be created by a Revlon sponsored makeup team, led by Aliana McDaniel.

iD Awards