Dates for the fashion week's 12th year were announced at a sellout launch last night: April has taken preference over the usual March. iD Fashion Week committee chairwoman Susie Staley said the event date was moved to attract members of the international fashion community.
The committee was securing international guests - discussions had been held with designers - and an announcement was expected to be made in the next six weeks.
"March is a challenging month for iD to secure international designers or judges due to their other fashion-calendar commitments such as London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks.
"With this in mind, we have made a commitment to announce our 2011 dates," she said.
The date change also provided an opportunity to attract visitors to Dunedin during a shoulder season.
The week-long event, which focused on presenting the best emerging New Zealand and international talent, as well as celebrating the city's fashion identity, would be held from April 5 to 10.
However, a naming rights sponsor was still being sought.
The Dunedin City Council had provided a pledge to the event for the next three years, but in order for it to run to its full capacity, further funding was required, Ms Staley said.
"We need a myriad of sponsors. We can't proceed unless we get further committed sponsors."
Ongoing events between now and April were being planned after the success of last night's event in Dunedin restaurant Pier 24.
Tickets to the event could have been "sold twice over", Ms Staley said.
More than 100 people were given a sneak preview of spring and summer collections from Dunedin designers and retailers Charmaine Reveley, Carlson, DADA, Waughs, White by Design and Bellebird.
