iD Fashion Show 2018

Monday 21 May 2018

I went to the iD Fashion Emerging Designers Award on Thursday 3 May 2018. I went with a good friend of mine who is an artist and early childhood teacher. We were both blown away by the quality of the entries and the production value of the whole show. We were very proud that little Dunedin could put up a show of that production value for such reasonable ticket prices.

The change in focus to emerging designers has definitely paid off. Previously the Emerging Designers Award was only a side show of iD Fashion Week. The Emerging Designers Award is now the main feature. Entries came from all over the world - Asia, UK, Europe, Australia, China, and the US. There were 42 entries in total and each entry presents 4 or 5 garments. The work which each emerging designer put in was huge. I happened to speak to some of them at a function before the award evening. All of them came and some brought their family and friends to share with them this major event. This must be good for Dunedin.

The change of venue from the Railway Station to the Dunedin Town Hall was a definite success. The Town Hall lifted the event to another level, in ambience, warmth, light and music, as well as the capacity to incorporate other entertainment such as dance.

The programme itself epitomises the work which brought this together. It has a succinct but proper summary of each entrant’s work, good photography of each entrant’s work and acknowledgment of all past winners of the Emerging Designers Award. There is also information on all of the judges and the major sponsors.

The event showcased Dunedin. It is a city which constantly punches above its weight. The event is supported by Team Dunedin: the city, the Airport, Dunedin Venues, the Otago Polytechnic, and the countless individuals who volunteer their time and expertise in different areas. The Dunedin Shanghai Association, of which I am Chair, is also a sponsor of iD Fashion week. My comments above, however, are mainly those of a proud Dunedin citizen.