The iD Emerging Designers Awards attracted a sellout crowd of 1400 people to the Dunedin Town Hall last night. Otago Daily Times photographer Peter McIntosh captured the 28 collections modelled on the runway.
One New Zealander did enough to wow the judges and take the 11th iD International Emerging Designer Award from a group of fast-finishing Australian designers at the Dunedin Town Hall last night.
Steve Hall, a graduate of Massey University, took the TOP PRIZE for his Abandon Man collection The only Kiwi finalist to WIN a prize, his collection drew on Japanese culture, and the costume of the samurai and ninja.
A packed town hall of close to 1400 people experienced a night of inspired and sometimes slightly insane fashion.
Already-tall models looked like stilt-walkers in the highest of high heels, as they paraded clothing from the sublime to the suberbly unusual on the catwalk.
Judge Margi Robertson said there was ''absolutely nothing traditional'' about Hall's designs.
''It wasn't over the top; in a quietly confident way it was a new silhouette for a guy, which is refreshing,'' she said.
''It was very beautifully constructed, and it could be worn by men or women. Very androgynous.''
The judges were also impressed by the calibre of the awards finalists, with many displaying innovative construction technologies, unique hand-made fabrics, and expert tailoring.
International guest Doris Raymond said: ''The judging process was overwhelming, simply because it was an embarrassment of riches''.
The remainder of the PRIZES were taken by designers from Australia. MiNDFOOD Style 1st place ($6000): Steve Hall, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
Brooker Travel 2nd place ($4000): Vanessa Emirian, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
Gallery De Novo 3rd place ($2000): Emma van de Merwe, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia. Dunedin's Golden Centre Mall Most Commercial Collection Prize ($1000): Tara Gurisik, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
New Zealand Light Leathers Prize ($1000 CASH and $1000 NZLL VOUCHER): Erica DeLuchi, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
The Fabric Store Award for Excellence in Design ($1000 cash and $2000 voucher): Monique Duggan, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
