Model opening

Chatting at the opening of iD Dunedin Fashion Week last night are (from left) Shanghai model Jiang Chu Chao (22), iD videographer Will Adamson (18), of Dunedin, designer Cecily Reed (22), of Dunedin, and Shanghai model Zang Wen Ning (21).

As well as Shanghai, opening night international guests had come from as far afield as Toronto and Perth for the city's 18th fashion week.

iD Dunedin Fashion Committee chairwoman Cherry Lucas told the crowd at Cooke Howlison Holden the event had become well established on the fashion calendar.

It was ''an opportunity to celebrate what a small city can do, working together''.

Mayor Dave Cull said Dunedin was developing ''a strong creative confidence''.

The first major event on the catwalk is tomorrow's iD International Emerging Designer Awards show.