Finalists for the iD Fashion Week Emerging Designer Awards have been announced, having narrowed 150 entries down to 39 finalists. New Zealand has 10 finalists in the awards, hailing from Auckland University of Technology, Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Massey University and Otago Polytechnic. International finalists include entrants from around the globe, with 1o different countries participating.
"Visually the collections will amaze crowds with bold colours, innovative techniques, detailing, hand-made lace and fabrics, and inspiring creativity," said Tanya Carlson, judge, iD Fashion Week Emerging Designer Awards.
Joining the judging panel this year is New Zealand-born designer Emilia Wickstead, who has designed for big names including the Duchess of Cambrige. Wickstead will also showcase a selection from her previous two AW collections at the main iD Dunedin Fashion Week Event, which include several couture pieces worn on the red carped by international celebrities.
“Emilia Wickstead’s chic and elegant designs have created an international following and we’re delighted to have her back in her home country showing at iD. From her very latest pieces from London Fashion Week, to couture garments worn on the world’s red carpets, iD audiences will enjoy a spectacular fashion experience,” said Cherry Lucas, committee chair, iD Fashion Week.
The full list of finalists are:
New Zealand
Auckland University of Technology: Tia Feng, Nicola Luey
Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Auckland: Benjamin Farry, Kingkang Chen
Massey University, Wellington: Sarah Parker, Sophie Collier
Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin: Andrea Short, Brittany Pooley, Shelby Tuinman-Bell, Sophie Ball
Australia
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology: Alice Kennedy
The Fashion Design Studio, Ultimo TAFE, Sydney: Demetra Kakopieros, Mat Lee, Yousef Akbar
University of Technology, Sydney: Alix Higgins, Alexandra Lane, Cherry Luk, Hannah Kim, Ilham Ismail, Lucy Virgona, Madeleine Hogan, Panayota Theodore, Stephanie Frig, Yan Zhou
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane: Alice Waterhouse, Jordan Anderson
Curtin University, Bentley: Rose Church, Jessica Nella
China
Shanghai University of Engineering Science/Sino-French Institute of Fashion Design: Chen Yi
Italy
NABA (Nuova Academia di Belle Arti), Milano: Başak Cansin Ersöz
Singapore
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts: Darlene Law
Temasek Polytechnic: Xie QianQian
Argentina
UBA University of Buenos Aires: Catalina Villarraza
Spain
LCI Barcelona: Beatriz Del Olmo Marrero
United Kingdom
Winchester School of Art: Sun Lam
London College of Fashion: Gerda Satunas
Japan
Bunkagakuen University, Tokyo: Yuta Hikino
Hong Kong
Raffles International College: Vivian Wong
India
Pearl Academy: Shaivyya Gupta
iD Fashion Week will run from 12-20 March.
