NZFW: Kahuria chairman Feroz Ali, and general manager Yasmin Farry urge the new NZ government to make necessary change on behalf of the fashion industry
In the lead-up to New Zealand’s general election on October 14, 2023, we asked leaders within our fashion community to write open letters to the next government.
The letters were to be submitted before voting day and published after, ensuring those we approached could speak their minds, without needing to openly pledge their political support to a particular party or PM.
The brief was simple: what do you, as a business owner and a leader in the fashion community, feel is the most pressing issue for the government to address over the next three years? Is it economic support for NZ retail and manufacturing? Is it practical solutions around fashion and climate change? Is it investing in fashion and the arts? Is it creating more space and opportunities for indigenous fashion to thrive?
The below communication was penned by Chairman at Whitecliffe and NZFW: Kahuria, Feroz Ali, and General Manager at NZFW: Kahuria, Yasmin Farry . It is published here verbatim.
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16 October 2023
Tēnā koutou New Zealand Government,
On behalf of our unique and creative fashion industry, the fashion students studying now and those thinking of taking up study, we implore this new government to look at ways to support the New Zealand fashion industry.
We ask the government to continue to provide funding for our creative fashion sector in line with the type of support and funding that is offered to our agricultural and tech sectors.
Economic support to manufacture in New Zealand creates study opportunities, job opportunities, boosts the economy and encourages domestic production and consumption. Which also assists those in the fashion community who are advocating for more sustainable practices to build a circular fashion economy. The fashion industry worldwide is one of the biggest contributors to environmental issues, including waste, pollution, and carbon emissions. The New Zealand Fashion industry needs the support of the government to make these necessary industry-wide changes.
New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria is an important event in the fashion calendar, providing a much-needed platform for fashion designers to showcase their collections to local and international media, buyers and most importantly their customers. Government economic support for the fashion sector to foster creativity and innovation by allocating grants, subsidies or developing programmes that promote emerging talent would provide a much-needed stepping stone to fashion brands to launch into NZ and international markets.
We strongly urge you to make a necessary change, think outside the box and consider supporting the fashion industry.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Feroz Ali (Chairman Whitecliffe and NZFW: Kahuria) and
Yasmin Farry (General Manager NZFW: Kahuria)