Otago Polytechnic Fashion features in Vogue Italia

Media release – Otago Polytechnic

For immediate release, Monday 26 September

Otago Polytechnic Fashion features in Vogue Italia

Otago Polytechnic’s School of Design has earned further international acclaim for its fashion offerings, featuring in Vogue Italia – one of the world’s leading fashion publications.

The September issue’s Vogue Italia Talents supplement showcases 200 emerging designers from around the world, including Otago Polytechnic Fashion graduates Ariane Bray and Bridget Robertson.

This is the fifth time since 2010 that the School of Design has featured in the annual supplement, and it remains the only New Zealand fashion institute ever included.

“We’re thrilled to once again be recognised by Vogue Italia, undoubtedly one of the world’s most respected fashion publications,” says Dr Margo Barton, the Polytechnic’s Academic Leader: Fashion. “This is a wonderful achievement for Ariane and Bridget and I’m sure it will open many doors for them in the fashion industry.”

Ariane Bray recently showed a collection at New Zealand Fashion Week, and her designs have previously graced the catwalks of Shanghai Fashion Week and iD Dunedin Fashion Week. She feels “incredibly privileged” to have her work in Vogue Italia.

“This is a significant achievement as an emerging designer, as exposure is crucial in order to gain a name for myself,” she says. “Being selected comes with a great confidence boost as it shows that important people in the industry recognise and appreciate my work.”

Bridget Robertson has been working in fashion marketing and public relations after interning at iD Dunedin Fashion Week and New Zealand Fashion Week.

“It’s an awesome feeling to be selected to be part of such a high-calibre group of extremely talented designers,” she says. “This has definitely sparked my designer mind and I will be making time to design again – watch this space!”

This latest achievement comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Otago Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Design (Fashion) is considered one of the world’s top 50 undergraduate fashion degrees, coming in at number 47 in the Global Fashion Rankings compiled by the Business of Fashion in London. It is the only New Zealand fashion degree on this exclusive list.

Otago Polytechnic School of Design is renowned for producing designers that have gone on to high profile careers in the fashion industry, including many who have established their own successful businesses, such as Sara Munro of Company of Strangers, Jessie Wong of Yu Mei, and Abby van Schreven of Maaike.

View the Vogue Italia Talents supplement here; Otago Polytechnic School of Design features on page 21.

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