Spectacular iD Dunedin Fashion Week shines spotlight on emerging talent

Zong-Lin Liang (left) took the top honour of the Otago Polytechnic | Te Pukenga First Prize

iD Dunedin Fashion Week delivered on all of its promises – and more – reigniting the fashion scene with a brilliant show featuring established New Zealand designers alongside exciting up-and-coming talent, both locally and from around the world.

The atmosphere was electric as a refreshingly diverse array of 70 models (including a mother-and-son duo, a Queen’s Council member, and athlete Holly Robinson) took to the 120-metre-long runway at the distinctive heritage venue of Dunedin Railway Station.

iD Dunedin truly is a show like no other, and the dazzling combination of iconic brands such as Zambesi, NOM*d, Liz Mitchell, JOJO ROSS, ReCreate, and Charmaine Reveley dazzled on the runway alongside a showcase capsule collection by five Otago Polytechnic graduates chosen from the 2022 class.

And then, of course, there was the second half of the show – dramatic bold designs made up the International Emerging Designer Awards, where finalists from around the globe celebrated their individual direction and inspiration.

With such creative diversity, it would have been a difficult task for the judges to decide, but top honour of the Otago Polytechnic | Te Pukenga First Prize ($10,000) went to a delighted Zong-Lin Liang, of Shih Chien University in Taiwan, for her Urban Refugees collection.

Capturing immediate attention, the collection featured fluid playful designs, inflated with portable fans. The designs present people, architecture, pressure, and burden all becoming one, and the dynamic process of exploding and disintegrating.

Through the inflatable devices, each top can be worn in at least three ways, which demonstrates the diversity of the clothing.

Tatjana Haupt (left) was awarded the Well + Being Second Prize

The iD International Emerging Designers Awards, sponsored by Otago Polytechnic, is one of only a couple of similar events in the world and attracted 33 schools in 14 countries. New Zealand designers more than held their own in the line-up, with designs in this section truly highlighting the rich diversity of talent in the industry.

The iD International Emerging Designers award winners were selected by a panel of seven of New Zealand’s fashion leaders.

Head judge Tanya Carlson (Carlson) was supported by Elisabeth Findlay (Zambesi), Amanda Linnell (Viva Managing Editor), James Dobson (Jimmy D), Charmaine Reveley (Charmaine Reveley), Margarita Robertson (NOM*d), and Tara Viggo (Paper Theory).

“It’s so wonderful to be back in the physical presence of our international and national entrants and there were so many jaw-dropping moments at the judging,” says Tanya Carlson.

“The advances in technology and sustainability that we saw are right at the forefront of our next generation of designers.

“Being selected as a finalist in this competition is an amazing achievement, and I speak on behalf of all the judges when I say it was a humbling and inspiring day.”