Threadnz’s Kirsty Mason checked out the 2018 iD International Emerging Designer Show at Dunedin town hall on Friday 4th May…
A change of venue from the iconic railway station runway to an octagonal catwalk made for closer viewing of the models. An excited crowd gathered and waited for the magic to begin.
The NEW Dunedin Octagon
The show did not disappoint. MC Kerre McIvor welcomed us and we were treated to 42 collections by 44 designers from NZ and far across the globe. Models walked confidently down the sloping octagonal catwalk, past the lower audience, and then upstairs across the gallery to wow the upper audience. The crowd was also entertained with live music by Anthonie Tonnin and a skilful dance performance by the ODAPT Dance Troupe.
Highlights
A highlight of the evening for me was a beautiful and wearable green collection INHERIT AND PRESENT by Zhisheng Cao of Shanghai University of Engineering Science, China.
I was also amazed by the winning collection EX-VONIA by Damir Begović, University of Zagreb, Croatia. His work is inspired by Haute Couture and Slovenian folk costumes. Some models needed aid to walk as their faces were covered up by their costumes. He used various materials and traditional techniques in his collection.
Keep an eye out in aquatic/swimwear circles for Gemma Cornish of Massey University, NZ. Her collection POP was wearable and had lollipop colours which I would happily don in the pool. It was no surprise to viewers that she was awarded Apparel Magazine’s Most Commercial Collection Prize.
Judging panel
This year’s judging panel included: Head Judge and Creative Designer Tanya Carlson of CARLSON; long term judge Margarita Robertson, Creative Director of Nom*D, with guest judges Karen Walker; Benny Castles, Director and Designer of WORLD; Amanda Linnell of Viva.co.nz; and Maggie Hewitt, designer of NZ fashion brand Maggie Marilyn.
A grateful thank you to Dr. Margot Barton and team, Otago Polytechnic and the DCC for producing, executing and funding a world class 2018 iD International Emerging Designer Show within iD Dunedin Fashion Week.
The envelope please…
Tonight’s winners are:
H & J Smith First Place: Damir Begović, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Rodd & Gunn Second Place: Lisa Liu, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Gallery De Novo Third Place: Katie Clarke, Manchester Metropolitan University, England
Rodd & Gunn Scholarship: Artur Stec, Cracow School of Arts and Fashion Design, Poland
Barbara Brinsley’s Carpe Diem Award: Jasper McGilvray, University of Westminster, England
Apparel Magazine’s Most Commercial Collection Prize: Gemma Cornish, Massey University, New Zealand
Foil Print Labels Ltd Entrepreneurial Prize: Rokaiya Ahmed Purna, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Bangladesh
The Fabric Store Award For Excellence in Design: Misaki Oba, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Cavalier Bremworth Wool Prize: Kenta Nishimura, Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Japan
Viva Editorial Prize: April Gourdie, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Otago Polytechnic People’s Choice: Shreya Jain, National Institute of Fashion Technology, India
4th May 2018
Words Kirsty Mason
Photo credit: Chris Sullivan