DHL finalists announced

Announcing the three finalists for the 2010 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship: Blak Luxe, Salasai and Twenty-Seven Names, up to win a prize package of $10,000 to further their label’s growth in exporting…

Announcing the three finalists for the 2010 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship: Blak Luxe, Salasai and Twenty-Seven Names.

Previous winners have been Stolen Girlfriends Club (2008) and Lonely Hearts (2009) and the scholarship, now in its third year, aims to identify New Zealand’s hottest up-and-coming fashion exporter and assist them in achieving international growth.

The winner will receive international freight to the value of NZ$10,000 and coaching in freight and logistics from DHL Express; as well as a tailored export mentoring package and an annual membership subscription from Fashion Industry New Zealand (FINZ).

The scholarship was open to New Zealand fashion designers who have been selling offshore for less than four years. Applicants were asked to submit a design portfolio and key trading figures, as well as an export and marketing strategy for the next 12 months.

This year’s finalists are:

* Blak Luxe

* Salasai

* Twenty-Seven Names

Submissions were judged by Kate Sylvester, one of New Zealand’s leading fashion designers, Erica Crawford, co-founder of the iconic export brand, Kim Crawford Wines, Mapihi Opai, FINZ executive officer, and Linda Turner, strategic account manager (fashion), DHL Express New Zealand.

The winner of the 2010 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship will be announced on Monday, 6 December 2010.