This award comes just at the right time as Twenty-Seven Names recently secured an order from British online shopping giant ASOS.com which will see their winter 2011 collection have instant worldwide reach.
Linda Turner, Strategic Account Manager Fashion, DHL Express New Zealand says, Twenty Seven Names presented an impressive submission. They have a focused strategy, and a particularly impressive exporting portfolio, with strong growth in Australia, and emerging growth in Hong Kong and the US. The DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship aims to help Twenty Seven Names achieve even more success overseas, and create a platform for them to expand into different markets.
DHL Express is proud to support the winner of the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship in achieving international growth with a prize package that includes freight to the value of NZ$10,000 and coaching in freight and logistics from DHL Express. They will also receive an individually tailored export mentoring package from Fashion Industry New Zealand (FINZ) and an annual FINZ membership.
We cant wait to start working with Twenty Seven Names and help them grow their business internationally.
Anjali Stewart of Twenty Seven Names says, We are so happy to have been awarded the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship today, and we are very excited to start working with DHL Express to help expand our brand further internationally. I am most excited about the mentoring we will be receiving as it is going to be a huge help – I cant wait to see where it takes.
Kate Sylvester, one of the judges of the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship, says, Ive followed the careers of the designers at Twenty Seven Names with interest. They have a very unique voice in the New Zealand fashion industry, and were the strongest designers who entered into the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship for 2010. Their overall strategy is focused, strong and the most exciting; they have loads of potential.
Mapihi Opai, Executive Officer of FINZ, who was also a member of the judging panel, commented, Twenty Seven Names demonstrated great export potential across all three categories; design, strategy and financial performance. Anjali and Rachel are extremely talented and focused, which is clearly reflected in the design, branding and promotion of the label. Their marketing initiatives and international media coverage to date are hugely impressive. And, their export strategy showed real commitment to growing the brand internationally.
2010 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship aims to identify the country's hottest up-and-coming fashion exporter and assist them in achieving international growth.
The scholarship was judged by four of New Zealands top fashion and exporting industry leaders: Kate Sylvester, one of New Zealands most respected fashion designers; Erica Crawford, co-founder of the iconic export brand, Kim Crawford Wines; Mapihi Opai, Executive Officer of FINZ; and Linda Turner, Strategic Account Manager – Fashion, DHL Express New Zealand.
By Natalie Cosgrove