Fashion show judge Tanya Carlson said there was an “overarching” theme of dystopianism across the 128 entries.
“Inside her there was a lot of positivity and hope that impressed me.”
She was impressed by the students’ self-direction during the pandemic and home schooling.
“I thought the standard was incredibly high,” she said.
Nine designers from New Zealand were among the 30 finalists for the Emerging Designers Award, judged by Ms. Carlson, Charmaine Reveley and Tarra Viggo.
The iD Dunedin Fashion Show will be held at Dunedin Railway Station on March 31 and April 1.
It will feature a host of “fashion royalty” such as NOM*D, Company of Strangers, Moochi and Charmaine Reveley, who are expected to showcase their full Winter ’23 collections.
Of the nine New Zealand finalists for the emerging designers award, three were students from Auckland University of Technology, two from Massey University, two from Whitecliffe College of Art and Design and two from Otago Polytechnic.
Otago Polytechnic graduate Ellen Ross will present her Onset collection, which is described as a “commercial capsule” based on a thoughtful approach to fashion, using principles of sustainability and natural and recycled fibres.
He will be joined by Otago Polytechnic graduate Ethan Cruise with The Liminal Space, a collection of garments made up of heavy dark fabrics, layers and textile embellishments.
Alongside established designers, “capsule collections” from five Otago Polytechnic graduates have been chosen to hit the runway.
Otago Polytechnic designers are George Park, Francesca Flynn, Finn Duffy, Russelle Ivan Tino and Sidney North.
They will each show three garments from their 2022 graduate collections.
Otago Polytechnic School of Design professor Margo Barton said it was a fantastic opportunity for graduates to see their collection alongside established names in the industry.
“It gives them a sense of the future they can have in this industry.”
The fashion week, which runs from March 28 to April 2, includes exhibitions, runway shows, talks and films.
cas.saunders@odt.co.nz
