Fashionable out-of-towners helped to boost attendance

Fashion-forward out-of-towners were a factor in the success of iD Dunedin Fashion Week, as more than one third of the attendees hailed from elsewhere.

Event manager Victoria Muir said last week’s events, topped with two runway shows on Friday and Saturday, were "fantastic".

An iD survey indicated that more than 30% of people who attended came from outside Dunedin, and nearly everyone went to more than one event.

The two fashion shows — the second announced after the first show sold out — were held at the Dunedin Railway Station for the first time since 2017, she said.

The show had been held at other venues in recent years, and had also been pared back.

"I think everyone was thrilled to be back at the Dunedin Railway Station.

"We haven't had a large event for a number of years because of Covid."

Both shows drew a sell-out crowd of 1100 people, although capacity was slightly less than in other years due to construction work at the station.

One of the most exciting aspects was meeting all of the International Emerging Designer Awards finalists, after corresponding via email, she said.

The 30 finalists were a mix of local designers and those who had travelled from further afield, including France, Argentina and Taiwan.

The top award went to Zong-Lin Liang, of Shih Chien University in Taiwan, for the entry "Urban Refugees".

Also on the catwalk were designs from labels including Nom*D, Company of Strangers, Zambesi, Mild Red, Charmaine Reveley, Carlson, Kahuwai, Moochi and Liz Mitchell.

"There was most certainly something for everyone on the catwalk on Friday and Saturday night," Mrs Muir said.

The week also included exhibitions, talks, fashionable installations and films.

fiona.ellis@odt.co.nz

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