Business Of Fashion Takes Centre Stage

Media release
5th September, 2007

Business Of Fashion Takes Centre Stage At Air New Zealand Fashion Week

Westpac has today revealed a new event as part of Air New Zealand Fashion Week that will focus on helping New Zealand designers grow their business here and overseas.

In partnership with Air New Zealand Fashion Week, Westpac has created the “Westpac Workroom” – an inspirational discussion forum created especially for designers featuring a panel of high calibre global experts in the business of fashion.

Taking place on Friday at the end of the Air New Zealand Fashion Week (21st September), The Westpac Workroom is a unique opportunity for designers to come together, hear insights from a group of esteemed fashion professionals and also to ask any questions.

The experts will include Christopher Blomquist – Sportswear International; Brian Long – International publicist; Jo Farrelly – former Top Shop Marketing Director; Pieter Stewart – Managing Director, Air New Zealand Fashion Week; Susie Walker – Industry spokesperson; and Barry Squires – Head of International Business, Westpac. The event will be MC’ed by Stacy Gregg, respected fashion commentator and editor of Runway Reporter.

Barry Squires, Westpac Head of International Business, says he hopes the Westpac Workroom will be an opportunity for designers to build on their success to date.

“At Westpac we help businesses to grow on a daily basis, so it’s fitting that we’re introducing an event to the Air New Zealand Fashion Week calendar that focuses on how designers can take the next steps to business success. Nothing like this has been done before and we think it will be one of the week’s highlights,” says Barry

Pieter Stewart, Air New Zealand Fashion Week Managing Director, says it’s only the second time during the week that the designers will be all together apart from opening night, so it’s a time when they can also get together to discuss the week.

“We think it’s an ideal way to round off the trade show part of the week with a casual, relaxed event that looks at the working side of fashion,” says Pieter.

“Whether the designer is just starting out, or has been around for years – we think the discussion at the Westpac Workroom will have appeal to everyone,” says Pieter.

The Westpac Workroom will be held on Friday 21st September from 8.30-9.30am at the Air New Zealand Fashion Week base on Halsey Street, Auckland.

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