Looks from Tanya Carlson’s winter 2016 collection on the iD runway.
Dunedin’s Railway Station was lit up for the iD Dunedin Fashion Week Show on Friday and Saturday nights as a sea of fashion fans lined the platform-turned-runway for the event. It’s a major highlight on the iD calendar and features numerous local designers, highlights from the iD Emerging Desigeners Awards and a few surprises all taking place on one of the longest runways in New Zealand.
Hosted by Paula Penfold and Mike McRoberts, the show opened with a gorgeous bohemian-inspired collection by local designer Tanya Carlson, whose designs are greatly admired for their elegance and flattering tailoring. Her winsome winter collection featured stunning demi-couture gowns alongside seventies-style suiting and luscious coats. It was a perfect way to kick off two hours worth of fabulous fashion on the runway.
Winter collections from Julian Danger and Mild Red followed before a selection of garments from Dunedin’s Golden Centre stores came down the runway. Charmaine Revelry was up next presenting an oh so pretty selection from her sublime winter collection with delicately sequined garments in fluid silhouettes the standout pieces. A selection of iD Fashion Breakthrough Designers followed which included last year’s iD Emerging Designer Awards winner Steve Hall and his gender fluid take on menswear.
More Dunedin-based fashion followed with Company of Strangers bringing their dark, subversive take on style to the catwalk, ably followed by the cool kids of fashion, Huffer, and the always impressive and impeccably tailored Zambesi closing the first half of the show in their inimitable style.
Kate Sylvester’s artistic Picasso-inspired collection kicked off the second half of the show with her eccentric range of feminine pieces with a twist finding favour with the crowd. More of Dunedin’s talented fashion students were next as Otago Polytechnic (who sponsor iD) showcased the creativity of their latest crop of design graduates.
The show took a surrealist turn next with Dada’s theatrical take on fashion bringing some raised eyebrows from spectators before the winning garments from the iD Emerging Designer Awards show took to the runway, including the bold sportswear collection from first place winner Jordan Anderson. Another beloved Dunedin label was next with NOM*d bringing some nineties-inspired grunge to the runway with vintage upcycled touches.
Auckland-born, London-based designer, Emilia Wickstead, brought an international flavour to the runway with her charming spring/summer 2016 collection which has previously shown on the runway of London Fashion Week. Emilia’s romantic designs with a playful edge were wonderfully complemented by custom-made pointed patent shoes in orange and pink by local label Ziera that will be made available to keen shoppers in July.
The show was capped off by a special finale sponsored by Rockburn and Quartz Reef, which saw each designer accompany a model in their own designs along the lengthy runway much to the delight of the crowd. There is certainly something to be said for iD’s special runway with so many front row seats that affords a great view to everyone in the audience. This year’s iD Fashion Week may have only just ended but we’re already looking forward to the next one in 2017.
Looks from Julian Danger (left) and Zambesi (right) on the iD runway.
Looks from Emilia Wickstead with shoes by Ziera on the iD runway.
Designers Margi Robertson (left) and Kate Sylvester (right) on the runway with models in their respective label’s garments.
Images by Chris Sullivan for iD Dunedin Fashion Week.