Nom*D And Cybele Fashion Export Award Winners

15 September 2008

Acclaimed New Zealand fashion labels NOM*D and Cybèle have taken home the country's ultimate fashion business prizes in the 2008 Air New Zealand Fashion Export Awards.

Established in 2004, the annual awards provide two New Zealand designers with a significant travel prize so that they can grow their export business and help take New Zealand fashion to the world.

Margi Robertson's Dunedin-based label NOM*D, which already exports to Australia, Europe, the US and Asia, won the Growth category, open to any designer showing at Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2008.

The Development award, open to designers who have been exporting less than five years or to the Australian market only, was won by Auckland designer Cybèle Wiren. Her label Cybèle commenced exporting in 2005 and is now sold in Australia, Japan and Dubai.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe presented the awards at the opening of Air New Zealand Fashion Week tonight and says the calibre of this year's entries is impressive.

"2008 marks the fifth year of the Air New Zealand Fashion Export Awards, and each year we're amazed at the high standard of entries. New Zealand may be perched on the bottom of the globe, but it's a hothouse for innovative fashion design," he says.

"We're delighted to be able to help talented Kiwi designers grow their presence on the world stage through the Air New Zealand Fashion Export Awards. Not only do the awards boost the careers of our winners - it also enables them to fly the flag for the New Zealand fashion industry as a whole, meaning everyone wins."

Mr Fyfe says NOM*D and Cybèle were both short-listed for last year's awards and returned this year with even stronger credentials.

"The judging panel was especially delighted to award the Growth category to a fashion label from the South Island that uses uniquely New Zealand fibres," he says.

"We wish both NOM*D and Cybèle the best of luck and look forward to following their international success."

This year's entries were judged by Air New Zealand Fashion Week Managing Director Pieter Stewart, Icebreaker CEO Jeremy Moon and James Abbott, Global Sponsorship Manager, Air New Zealand.

A forward-thinking voice in the apparel export industry with markets for his Icebreaker clothing in more than 20 countries, judge Jeremy Moon knows the formula to succeed offshore.

He says, "NOM*D has impressed the judges year after year with its fine artisan-like craftsmanship and focus on the very top end of the market.

"NOM*D's sophisticated styling has international appeal, so we're delighted that this year the label is a winner along with Cybèle, a dynamic, progressive designer with a huge future in front of her."

As recipient of the Growth award, Margi Robertson and NOM*D win a $30,000 travel prize to undertake strategic international travel to build the brand's export business. Development award winner Cybèle Wiren wins a $15,000 travel prize.

ENDS

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