Emerging Fashion Designers Named Finalists

Emerging Fashion Designers Named Finalists in Top International Awards

A fashion collection made from chip bags and soft drink cans, textiles made from fishing tackle, garments using laser-cut Perspex, and an overriding commitment to upcycling and sustainability feature in this year’s prestigious iD International Emerging Designer Awards.

Thirty-six emerging designers from around the globe have been chosen as finalists for the 13th annual Awards, supported by the Otago Polytechnic, which represent Australasia’s only international emerging fashion competition. The finalists, selected from a pool of around 150 entries from 18 countries, will present their collections at the iD International Emerging Designer Awards Show to be held on Thursday March 23 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

This year’s selection committee, made up of Kiwi fashion designers Tanya Carlson and Sara Munro (Company of Strangers), alongside fashion editor Dan Ahwa, were impressed by the quality of entries coming from the world’s top fashion schools – and the graduates’ dedication to the ethos of slow fashion and sustainability.

“These are fashion graduates who believe in making a difference within the industry,” says Tanya Carlson.

“Almost every entry explored the importance of the slow fashion movement – but in very different ways. It’s inspiring to see. The finalists we chose all stood out for their innovation and exceptional creativity.”

iD Committee Chair Cherry Lucas says the Awards showcase the very future of fashion with showgoers able to see the latest textiles and techniques on display.

“We’re proud to present another exceptional year of emerging fashion and look forward to seeing our finalists showcasing their work on a world stage. Friendships and long-term collaborations are often forged behind the scenes as finalists take advantage of the unique networking opportunities available to them.”

This year’s finalists are:

· From New Zealand:
· Auckland University of Technology: Phillip von Fury
· Massey University, Wellington: Tess Norquay, Olivia Balle and Kristen Meaclem, Megan Stewart.
· Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin: Cecily Reed, Letitia Powell, Laura Bennett.

· From Australia:
· Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology: Emily Cameron, Paul Castro, Victoria Bliss.
· The Fashion Design Studio, Ultimo TAFE, Sydney: Ann Xiao.
· University of Technology, Sydney: Emily Stone, Lynette Yahya, Nancy Wu, Natalie Vladimiroff, Nehma Vitols, Talia Jimenez, Zhuxuan He.
· Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane: Jack Milne, Shannon Lewis.
· Curtin University, Perth: Adellen Pasquale.

· From China:
· Shanghai University of Engineering Science/Sino-French Institute of Fashion Design: Wang Yiyan, Guan Xin

· From Italy:
· Polimoda, Florence: Alessandro Trincone

· From Singapore:
· Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts: Natasha Nadya.
· Raffles College of Higher Education: Dora Photina, Zhang Fan.

· From Argentina:
· UBA University of Buenos Aires: Elisa Lutteral and Melina Karagozian.

· From Spain:
· LCI Barcelona: Laura Searle Fuentes.

· From UK:
· The University of Westminster: Katie Ann McGuigan.

· From USA:
· Marist College, New York: Marrisa Wilson.
· Parsons School of Design: Wonho Lee.

· From Switzerland:
· Academy of Art and Design Basel (HGK Basel) FHNW: Stephanie Nina Yoon.

· From Austria:
· University of Applied Arts Vienna: Axel Berner-Eyde, Lila John.

· From Canada:
· Ryerson University, Toronto: Alexandra Armata.

Prizes include the H&J Smith First Place (NZ$6,000), L’affare Second Place (NZ$4000), Gallery de Novo Third Place ($2000) and other special prizes including The Fabric Store Prize worth $3000 (includes $2000 worth of fabric), the Dunedin’s Golden Centre Mall Prize for the Most Commercial Collection and the new Emilia Wickstead Internship.

Winners from the 2017 iD International Emerging Designer Awards will show their collections at the iD Dunedin Fashion Show held at Dunedin’s Railway Station on Friday March 24 and Saturday March 25.

iD Dunedin Fashion Week is generously supported by the Dunedin City Council.

ENDS

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