iD Emerging Designer winners, models and judges for 2018. Image Chris Sullivan.
A spectacular display of creative fashion from around the world was showcased at the iD Emerging Design Show over two nights as the highlight of this year’s iD Dunedin Fashion Week. Last night saw an incredible collection by Damir Begović from Croatia claim the H&J Smith First Place Prize with a showstopping mix of couture and traditional Slavonian folk culture. Begović did the University of Zagreb proud with his win against 42 other emerging designers from 19 countries. His standout collection was titled EX-vonia and was an exploration of the migration of Slavonian natives and the resulting loss of cultural identity and heritage.
“It was the ultimate combination of culture and couture,” said iD Guest Judge Benny Castles, Director and Designer at WORLD. “The impeccable craftsmanship displayed in Damir’s collection, alongside the drama within it, made for a show-stopping collection on the runway.”
Begović’s collection certainly got the attention of the judges which included Head Judge Tanya Carlson, long-term judge Margarita Robertson (of NOM*d) and special guest judges Karen Walker, Maggie Hewitt (of Maggie Marilyn), Benny Castles (of WORLD) and Amanda Linnell editor of Viva magazine.
“Seeing the collection on the runway, there was that wow moment – where the hairs stand up on the back of your neck and you understand the story it’s telling,” said Karen Walker of Begović’s collection which she reiterated was faultlessly constructed, combining ready-to-wear elements with exceptional design.
With so many amazing entries from around the world the standard of competition was incredibly high with each collection quite different from the next making the prize decisions quite difficult for the judges. Those who won stood out for their maturity, cohesiveness and confident execution of their collection concepts.
“Finalists are pushing technology and innovation to their limits but what we loved about this year is that many are once again turning inwards to find the inspiration for their collections,” says Head Judge Tanya Carlson. “Their backgrounds, the places they live, their cultural identity all play an important role in their design voices this year. It’s humbling to see how seriously they take the work they do and the collections they have created.”
The Emerging Designer Show itself was quite the showstopper with high production values, a clever multi level runway allowing everyone to have a great view of the models and brilliant live music by Anthonie Tonnon. Kerry McIver played the role of entertaining show host while ODAPT Dance Group delivered a stunning dance performance clad in NOM*d singlet dresses. The show was supported by Dunedin City Council and Otago Polytechnic and produced by iD Dunedin Fashion Week Creative Director and Committee Chair Dr Margo Barton with her backstage team from the Otago Polytechnic and iD Artistic Director and event manager Sonja de Mari.
L’Oreal New Zealand Makeup director Lisa Matson and her team worked alongside the Klone Hair team, led by Principal hair stylist Karl Radel, to create unique hair and makeup looks themed around gender fluidity – a concept that was also explored in many of the finalist’s collections.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who showcased such incredible talent and are all looking at a very bright future in fashion.
The iD International Emerging Designer Award winners for 2018 are:
H & J Smith First Place: Damir Begović, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Rodd & Gunn Second Place: Lisa Liu, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Gallery De Novo Third Place: Katie Clarke, Manchester Metropolitan University, England
Rodd & Gunn Scholarship: Artur Stec, Cracow School of Arts and Fashion Design, Poland
Barbara Brinsley’s Carpe Diem Award: Jasper McGilvray, University of Westminster, England
Apparel Magazine’s Most Commercial Collection Prize: Gemma Cornish, Massey University, New Zealand
Foil Print Labels Ltd Entrepreneurial Prize: Rokaiya Ahmed Purna, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Bangladesh
The Fabric Store Award For Excellence in Design: Misaki Oba, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Cavalier Bremworth Wool Prize: Kenta Nishimura, Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Japan
Viva Editorial Prize: April Gourdie, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Otago Polytechnic People’s Choice: Shreya Jain, National Institute of Fashion Technology, India
H & J Smith First Place: Damir Begović, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Rodd & Gunn Second Place: Lisa Liu, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
Gallery De Novo Third Place: Katie Clarke, Manchester Metropolitan University, England.
Images supplied.