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FINZ Education Conference: Future of Fashion II
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Fashion leaders and tertiary educators from around the country will gather in Christchurch from August 6-7 for the FINZ Education Conference - The Future of Fashion II...

The Future of Fashion

Fashion leaders and tertiary educators from around the country will gather in Christchurch from August 6-7 for the FINZ Education Conference - The Future of Fashion II - to discuss the critical factors of 2009 and beyond for New Zealand's fashion and apparel sector.

"The worldwide economic recession has caused a great deal of uncertainty among New Zealand fashion and apparel businesses, in terms of where to focus their energy and resources in an industry and global environment that's changing at such a rapid pace," says Mapihi Opai, executive officer of Fashion Industry New Zealand (FINZ).

"The Future of Fashion will deliver some very thought-provoking perspectives on how we're currently positioned and the direction that we're heading, which can form the basis on new ideas and common goals going forward."

The Future of Fashion II promises a stellar line-up of speakers that include fashion entrepreneurs, creatives, researchers and people who think outside of the square. The two-day programme will be divided into three key sessions, beginning with 'Fashion Economics'.

"Export growth is absolutely critical to the future of New Zealand fashion. We've seen great success, with New Zealand labels being picked-up overseas. However, the international market is tough and buyers have become increasingly discerning," says Pieter Stewart, managing director of New Zealand Fashion Week.

aafinz"In the current economic climate, New Zealand fashion exporters need to pass the 'value' test in terms of brand, design, quality and price. Many of them also need to build on their business and export acumen in order to effectively navigate offshore markets. We have to remember that this is 'the business of fashion'."

As the founder and driving force behind New Zealand Fashion Week, Stewart has become an international ambassador for New Zealand fashion. As such, she regularly travels the globe to promote our design talent and wares to the world, and will discuss 'Fashion Export' at the 2009 FINZ Education Conference.

'Fashion Communication' is integral to the way that we brand, design and market New Zealand fashion and apparel to the world.

Publisher of Lucire, New Zealand's first commercial online fashion magazine, and founder of JY&A, a global branding and media firm, Jack Yan is an innovator and big thinker when it comes to 'Fashion Branding & Media'.

"There are numerous lessons we can take advantage of when it comes to branding in the fashion sector. The principal one is that companies that truly understand their brands and audiences do better, regardless of the economic climate," says Yan.

"Fashion branding has always been in danger of 'me-too-ism', despite the merits of the designer. We need to get to the heart of the business and how it differentiates itself. Without that, it will be ignored, not only by the customer, but by the media too.

Another problem is that many companies just don't understand the trends in the marketplace. What we're going through is nothing new - we just have to take a few lessons from history and adapt them to the current situation. We're entering an era of brand rationalisation, not one of brand expansion. People will want to be able to organise the brands they deal with in their minds. Now, the trick is to find a way to take advantage of that."

'Fashion Fibres & Textiles' form the backbone of apparel; the very cloth from which garments are cut and a key component in differentiating New Zealand fashion and apparel on the world stage.

The recipient of a prestigious international award for product innovation and commercialisation, Dr Surinder Tandon, apparel & textile research manager at AgResearch, will discuss 'Wool Innovations for High Fashion & Functionality'.

"In the past 15 years, we've seen a number of significant innovations for wool apparel and many of them have reached the end consumer," says Tandon. "However, more effort is required in R&D around wool textiles if we want New Zealand wool to have a competitive advantage over other natural and synthetic products."

FINZ is also pleased to announce Annah Stretton as a key speaker at The Future of Fashion II. Her Waikato-based company, the Stretton Group, boasts an annual turnover in excess of $10 million and a diverse brand portfolio that spans fashion, publishing and hospitality. With 30 retail stores throughout New Zealand and export markets in the U.S, U.K, Europe and Australia, Stretton is well positioned to discuss the volatile 'Fashion Retail Market' and the challenges it poses for fashion and apparel companies in New Zealand.