Emerging Designer Awards

For immediate release

The 2009 Southern Trust id DUNEDIN FASHION WEEK: 10 March – 15 March, New Zealand

Applications from around the world are now open for the 2009 Southern Trust id Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards to be held on Friday 13 March 2009.

The awards, in their fifth year will showcase emerging fashion designers and their collections who will be competing for prizes and a chance to turn fashion dreams into fashion reality.

Event co-ordinator, Victoria Bunton said the event attracts an increasing number of international applications each year.

"The awards are designed to recognise and reward cutting edge designers of the future. It is helps to develop relationships between national and international rising designers, and help promote designers that will go on to play a significant role in the fashion industry in the future."

Tara Viggo, an Otago Polytech graduate, 2005 Emerging Designer Awards finalist and winner of the special Mittelmoda prize has recently returned from London, after working for a year and a half as a designer/pattern cutter with fashion house, "Justina of London".

Viggo is currently waiting to renew her work visa and return to "Justina of London" to resume her position. In the meantime, tutoring at Otago Polytech and helping students with their collections gives her the opportunity to share her experience.

"The Emerging Designer Awards are the best possible experience a young designer can have as there is a lot of support, media exposure and a great platform from which to "get noticed". To anyone thinking of submitting an application they should just "go for it".

To enter the Southern Trust id Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards designers must be recent graduates (within the past five years) or final year students from a recognised Diploma, BDes, BA or MA Fashion or fashion related course.

Applications must be received by 28 November by email or by courier to Dunedin, New Zealand.

Participating designers and details of the 2009 official week calendar will be announced soon.

For more information on how to apply and details on the 2009 Southern Trust id Dunedin Fashion Week, go to www.id-dunedinfashion.com

Media enquiries: Merrin Bath, Publicist, + 64 27 202 0903

Photo credit: Chris Sullivan

ENDS

About The 2009 Southern Trust id Dunedin Fashion Week, New Zealand

With its youthful spirit and atmosphere, The Southern Trust id Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards are a launch pad for emerging designers in New Zealand and abroad.

The id Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards was four years old in 2008, and is part of the fast-growing id Dunedin Fashion Week that will celebrate its tenth birthday in 2009. The event attracts entries from graduates and final year students from across the globe bringing with them show-turning collections, ideas and dreams of gaining exposure in a fast growing event which is attracting fashion industry and media attention year on year.

Prizes will be allocated for first, second and third place. 1st Prize = $5,000 cash and sponsors’ gift pack. 2nd Prize = $3,000 cash and sponsors’ gift pack. 3rd Prize = $1,000 cash and sponsors’ gift pack. Other special prizes to be announced.

The awards are an opportunity for designers to launch their fashion careers from a unique city that has produced some of New Zealand’s fashion icons such as Nom*D, Carlson, Cherry Cotton Candy, Mild Red and Charmaine Reveley.

The fashion week culminates in two major events; the id Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards; and the main show, held at The Dunedin Railway Station.

The beautiful old stone Flemish Renaissance style railway station has been ranked among the world's '200 must-see places' by a leading travel guide.

The collaboration between the fashion community, education and business, fashion designers, fashion workers and the city started in 2000 and now showcases the best of Dunedin and New Zealand fashion.

Southern Trust id Dunedin Fashion Week is the only New Zealand fashion week designed especially for the public, which is a result of Dunedin's inclusive and welcoming spirit. It is a non profit event run by a voluntary committee.

The 2009 id Dunedin Fashion Week has been made possible through a substantial partnership with The Southern Trust.

The Southern Trust, with its Head Office in Dunedin, is a not-for-profit organisation licensed to operate gaming machines throughout New Zealand. The Trust's overall vision is to maximise the return of gaming revenue, for the benefit of the community.

ENDS

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