iD Dunedin Fashion Week is back after a pandemic-enforced break. Established and emerging designers return to the runaway at the city's railway station this Friday as part of a week of fashion-focused activity.
Venus in transit 2117 - gown designed by Massey University student Jenny Ruan. Photo: Phibaé Photography
It's the 23rd year of the event, which showcases fashion innovation both on and off the catwalk.
iD board co-chair Sally McMillan says the event's longevity proves the resilience of New Zealand's fashion scene.
"In our show this year we have 18 established New Zealand designers showing, along with five Otago Polytech graduates presenting their collections. We also have nine Emerging Designer finalists from New Zealand tertiary institutes, all of which shows that New Zealand’s fashion scene may be small, but it is mighty, and in good heart."
Entrants from 33 design schools or universities in 14 countries have entered this year's iD International Emerging Designer Awards, which is the only competition of its kind in Australasia. Winners will be announced at Friday's show at the Dunedin Railway Station.
21st Century Metropolis - garments designed by Whitecliffe College of Art & Design student Vorakvong Chylong. Photo: Big Mark & Co
McMillan says iD "punches above its weight" in the fashion world.
"I think that because, by international standards, Dunedin is a little wee city at the bottom of the world, it would be easy to underestimate the importance of iD as an important and well-recognised launchpad for young designers internationally."
A number of established New Zealand fashion designers will connections to Dunedin, including NOM*D, Company of Strangers, Mild Red, Charmaine Reveley, Carlson, Kahuwai, Moochi and Liz Mitchell will also showcase Winter '23 collections on the catwalk, along with 2022 graduate collection pieces by Otago Polytechnic graduates George Park, Francesca Flynn, Finn Duffy, Russelle Ivan Tino, and Sidney North.
Eton Mess - garment designed by Manchester Metropolitan University student Niamh Dobson. Photo: George Hood
While the iD catwalk events are all about entertainment, the week also has a strong education focus, with previous alumni among those taking part in events and hands-on workshops exploring sustainability, fashion history, diversity and art.
"The thing about fashion is that while on one level it might be regarded as a nice-to-have and not exactly a pressing need when times are tough, the bottom line is that we all need to wear clothes, and that for most of us our clothes are one of the most important expressions of ourselves, our personality and, in many cases, our vocation," McMillan says.
"Fashion design itself is a serious and indispensable vocation that in one form or another has been around since time immemorial."
