We may not have the famed ‘Department Store' of Auckland, but we do have a raft of small independent retailers like Void and Belle Bird, who order, and sell, only the coolest of homegrown and international brands.
ID Fashion Week was a few weeks back, and it was brilliant. Being a lowly and poor high school student, I was unable to attend the runway shows, but I was still exceptionally excited to see Isaac Hindin Miller (a premier New Zealand fashion blogger) roaming the streets of our fair city, as well as the scores of beautiful people wandering around wearing NOM*D.
But there's a nasty side-effect that sometimes occurs when a person takes an interest in brand fashion; an infection that makes you highly pretentious and rude.
However it only affects some people, and others get the impression that the major percentage of citizens who like (or even love) fashion, are rich and snobby. This isn't true.
I am neither rich, nor snobby. Just because the last season of Huffer, Madame Hawkeye, Stolen Girlfriend's Club, and Lonely Hearts makes me squeal and jump up and down, does not mean that I will stare through you, ignore you and/or judge you.
I think that you can get the most amazing clothing from op-shops and Trade Me for under ten dollars.
You don't need to buy a five hundred dollar Karen Walker dress; why not make it? Or buy a similar one from aforementioned wonderful op-shops and alter it.
Fashion isn't the scary world of anorexia, billion dollar dresses and pretentious people.
Well, it can be.
But here in Dunedin it isn't. As long as you've got your sneakers on the ground, you can not only succeed, but thrive in this community.
All you've got to do is leave your impressions at the door, and waltz on in.
- by Maya Turei, Year 13, Logan Park High School
