From now until Sunday, August 19, fashion lovers can cast one vote per day for their preferred designer from the top 10 finalists in this year’s Westpac Young Fashion Designer Competition.
The three finalists with the most public votes by Sunday 19 August will travel to Auckland to present their collections in front of the judges during New Zealand Fashion Week.
After a dramatic runway walk-off at the Westpac RED COLLECTION show, the winner will be announced live!
"Once again, we’re thrilled with the quality and creative talent that has gone into producing this year’s entries,” Westpac’s GM, Marketing & Customer Experience, Martine Jager says.
“It’s exciting to see the new and innovative pieces and we wish each of our top-10 finalists the best of luck in the public voting stage of the competition. We're proud to be able to help the next generation of young designers make their dream a reality.”
The selection of this year’s Top 10 caused passionate debate on a powerhouse judging panel comprised of Zambesi menswear designer, Dayne Johnston; editor of the New Zealand Herald’s Viva magazine, Amanda Linnell; editor of Remix magazine, Tina Moore; and futuristic electro-pop diva, Zowie.
“This is my second year as a judge for the Westpac Young Fashion Designer Competition and I was really impressed,” says Zambesi’s Dayne Johnston. “There seems to be a lot more focus on men’s wear this year, which is exciting.”
“I think competitions of this nature are very important to nurture young design talent,” the accomplished men’s wear designer adds. “When I was a student, it was really important to me to challenge myself and enter everything I could. It enables you to realise your work and provides a springboard for your future career as a designer.”
New Zealand’s most prestigious award for emerging fashion designers is a fertile incubator for innovation, inspiration, originality and raw talent.
The winner will receive a career-changing prize package that includes NZ$5000, a personalised package of mentorship from an established New Zealand designer, plus dedicated Westpac business banking advice.
You can vote by clicking through the ‘Contests’ tab on the Westpac Young Fashion Designer Competition’s official Facebook page
www.facebook.com/westpacyoungdesigner
Finalists in order of imagery
1. Soohee Moon, Dunedin
2. Glen Prentice, Auckland
3. Jack Hill, Wellington
4. Jessica Grubisa, Auckland
5. Kerry Wong, Auckland
6. Phillip Hawkins, Dunedin
7. Stephanie Bellamy & Benjamin Markby, Auckland
8. Samuel Ralph, Dunedin
9. Jomnarn Dul, Auckland
10. Yun Do, Auckland