With over 30 free-to-attend events, Dunedin iD fashion has proven to be a massive success amongst fashion enthusiasts and has built a sense of community.
From time spent with designers to catwalk shows and exhibitions to high-end retail experiences, the events covered all aspects of the fashion industry. There was also a significant focus on sustainability during the talks, which featured New Zealand designers such as Tara Viggo, Tanya Carlson, Sara Munro, and Ethan Cruise.
“We’re delighted with the result. Some of our regular audience members missed the Railway Show and Emerging Designers Awards. Still, they were pleased with the informality and openness of this festival format,” said event manager Victoria Muir.
Both ticketed catwalk shows, As We Watch the World Go By and Fashion in the Garden, sold out early. The George Street Catwalk Show showcased models wearing looks from 16 local designers and retailers.
Many have already reported increased sales over the weekend, with audience members in-store post-show to purchase items they had seen on the catwalk.
Many of the fashion professionals in attendance were also graduates or current students of Otago Polytechnics Bachelor of Design (Fashion), who found the festival a brilliant opportunity to learn from and be inspired by.
The streamed talk with Christian Dior Museum expert Jeanne Dubois was also popular, and audience members were delighted with the exclusive access to archival material.
“We’ve been getting fantastic feedback from people who attended the events and from our amazing event organisers. We’ll have a quick break and then settle into the planning for the 2025 iD Dunedin Fashion Show and International Emerging Designers Awards.”
Entries for the iD International Emerging Designer Awards 2025 will open later this month, and the call for designers to participate in the 2025 iD Dunedin Fashion Show will open in June.
