Uncertainty concerning international travel has prompted organisers to make the event — which had applicants from 17 countries — a virtual awards for the first time in 15 years.
iD board co-chairwoman and creative director Margo Barton said the judging panel would assess garments using designer statements, drawings, photos and videos sent in.
It would work with Dunedin’s Natural History New Zealand to create a digital production showcasing designers’ work, which would be premiered at the Otago Museum as a part of its Fashion Forward, Disruption Through Design exhibition in early May.
Winners would be announced as planned at an event in Dunedin on June 5.
Dr Barton was disappointed for the students and for Dunedin that a show would not be held, but was optimistic the reworked show would be a success.
‘‘We really had three choices — we could have postponed it, we could have cancelled it or we could have re-imagined it, and we’ve decided to embrace this.
‘‘I’m never afraid of a challenge.’’
The group had not completed costings and while money would be saved on the cost of production, there would be some expenses in the new formatting of the show, Dr Barton said.
iD Dunedin Fashion co-chairwoman Sally Peart said the board had been working to anticipate how Covid-19 would affect finalists travelling to Dunedin.
Organisers removed the element of uncertainty about international travel, she said.
Applications would be assessed by a team of New Zealand designers and finalists would be announced the week of March 23, Ms Peart said.
Finalists would be asked to supply a two-minute video answering questions about their design philosophy.
Using the video, and photos and sketches of their designs, a panel would decide the winners and announce them on June 5.
Finalists able to travel to Dunedin would be invited to attend if they could.
The Otago Polytechnic will host a Fashion Symposium Exhibition on June 6.
