Innovative fashion talent from around the globe showing off new technology, 3D garments, extreme fantasy and colour await audiences at the ninth annual iD International Emerging Designer Awards held in Dunedin, New Zealand on March 14, 2013.
Kamille Davis – Northumbria University
Thirty one finalists representing five countries – New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Ireland and China – have been chosen for the prestigious Awards from a pool of more than 100 entries from some of the world’s best fashion schools. The iD Awards will be held at the Lion Foundation Arena, Edgar Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
This year’s selection committee – consisting of fashion designers Tanya Carlson, Margi Robertson (NOM*d) and Mickey Lin (MisteR) were impressed by the high standard of applicants displaying incredible new technologies and creativity.
Left: Byungmun Seo London College of Fashion, photographer Min Gyu Kim
Right: Fraser Mildon AUT NZ
“It was a really difficult process to take the huge number of entries and select the finalists as there were so many applicants who were of a very high standard,” says MisteR co-founder Mickey Lin.
“I was quite amazed – it’s bringing a new future to fashion.”
Fellow selector and fashion designer Tanya Carlson agreed, adding that this year’s collections were “challenging and thought provoking”, with an edge of exaggeration.
“Some of the collections could have been seen on the likes of Lady Gaga or Nicki Minaj. The future of fabric technology is changing and design student’s imagination means they can do anything. The fundamentals are still there in terms of pattern making, proportion and colour choices, but I’m fascinated to see how technology will be transformed into collections on the catwalk.”
Left: Josephine Nyoman UTS Sydney, photo Peter Collie
Centre: Katharina Hoen, photographer Bianca Brons
Right: Mandy Myles Otago Polytechnic, photo Jason Kelly
iD Committee Chair Susie Staley says as the only fashion competition of its kind in New Zealand, with a strong international reputation, the iD Awards continue to attract the best of New Zealand and international fashion talent.
“The iD International Emerging Designer Awards offer graduates a unique opportunity to be critiqued by some of the most influential fashion leaders in the world. This year, our guest, UK celebrity milliner Stephen Jones will be part of the judging panel – just as previous guests including Zandra Rhodes, Akira Isogawa, Hilary Alexander and Lutz Huelle have been. iD is a chance to be noticed on an international stage.”
Left: Jiyu Hong RMIT, photo Vikk Wong
Right: Minette Shuen UTS Sydney, photo Kristina Yenko
This year’s finalists are:
From New Zealand:
• Auckland University of Technology: Sara Andrews; Petra Benton; Charlotte Cho; Sohong Lim; Monique Lynch; Richard McCoy; Fraser Mildon; Bay Rawlinson.
• Massey University, Wellington: James Bush; Katharina Hoen; Mary Hutchison; Ayla Rorvik.
• Otago Polytechnic: Rakel Blom; Mandy Myles; Samuel Ralph.
From Australia:
• Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology: Emma Boseley; Natasha Fagg; Jiyu Hong; Nixi Killick.
• University of Technology, Sydney: Gemma Anastasiou; Kathleen Choo; Jeni Kartono; Katherine Mavridis; Josephine Nyoman; Minette Shuen; Karen Yang.
From China:
• Shanghai University of Engineering Science: Zhou Shi Yang (Zoey)
Richard McCoy AUT NZ
From the UK:
• London College of Fashion: Byungmun Seo.
• Northumbria University: Kamille Davis.
From Ireland:
• National College of Art and Design Ireland: Blathnaid McClean; Laura Weber.
Prizes include NZ$5,000 for first place winner, $3,000 for second place, $1000 for third place, with other special prizes yet to be announced.
Highlights from the 2013 iD International Emerging Designer Awards will feature on the runway at the iD Dunedin Fashion Show on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 March.
Left: Petra Benton AUT, photo Tess Seven
Right: Sohong Lim AUT NZ
Tickets are still available for the iD International Emerging Designer Awards on Thursday 14 March and the iD Fashion Show on Friday 15 March and limited tickets for the iD Fashion Show on Saturday 16 March. Tickets can be purchased at TicketDirect venues (including the Regent Theatre, Dunedin), Ph 0800 4 TICKET or online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz. A booking fee applies.