The finalists, selected from a pool of almost 100 entries and representing nine countries and 16 high profile fashion schools, will vie for top prizes in the prestigious Awards, to be held at the Dunedin Town Hall on Thursday April 3.
This year’s selection committee – fashion industry guru Des Rusk and designers Tanya Carlson and Margi Robertson (NOM*d) – were impressed by this year’s stellar selection, all with very unique collections.
“From 3D modelling to a reinterpretation of traditional techniques, there was a strong individualism in each collection,” says selector Des Rusk.
“Crowds should look forward to seeing directional fashion showcasing some real bravery in technique and textiles.”
Fellow selectors Tanya Carlson and Margi Robertson agreed.
“As always, we are looking for absolute innovation, new ideas and well balanced collections,” says Margi Robertson.
“The silhouette is important to me personally and the courage to pare back some ideas when necessary. This is what makes an emerging designer a successful designer in the future.”
iD Committee Chair Susie Staley says this year’s 10th anniversary of the awards is an exciting celebration of what is considered one of the Southern Hemisphere’s top fashion awards.
“In 10 years of the Awards, we have helped launch the careers of countless young designers who have gone on to work in high profile fashion houses around the world, as well as launching their own labels.
"The Awards provide not only incredible networking opportunities and cash prizes, but to be critiqued by some of the most influential fashion leaders in the world – from Stephen Jones to Hilary Alexander, Akira Isogawa to Lutz Huelle, alongside our very own designers – is a once in a lifetime chance for many of these new designers.”
Click here to view list of finalists
iD Dunedin Fashion Week