Designers Announcement - "Strongest" Line Up Yet

News release
August 9, 2004

AIR NEW ZEALAND FASHION WEEK 2004

Top crop of designers represent the "strongest" New Zealand collections yet.

The big names are back and the new talent look like serious contenders as the designers line up for the fourth annual Air New Zealand Fashion Week (18-21 October 2004).

Air New Zealand Fashion Week Managing Director Pieter Stewart announced the labels who will show at this year's collections at a special media event in Auckland this evening (Monday 9 August).

All of the designers selected for the collections took to the stage to be introduced before posing for a unique group photograph.

In 2004, New Zealand's top fashion labels will parade across four days of industry trade shows at a new venue, 135 Halsey St, formerly known as the America's Cup bases on Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

Stewart believes this year's designers represent the strongest schedule of talent ever to show in New Zealand.

"The focus now for Air New Zealand Fashion Week is to ensure we are consolidating all the work that's been done to raise the profile of the event internationally. The designers selected in 2004 know that to present to this most unforgiving of audiences, they have to be ready to match the scrutiny and demands placed on true export quality fashion."

The country's biggest fashion names are all committed to the event with the return of Kate Sylvester and Carlson after a year's hiatus as well as the inclusion for the first time of Workshop, Helen and Chris Cherry's highly regarded label.

They will show alongside other major stars of New Zealand fashion including Zambesi, NOM*D, WORLD, Trelise Cooper, Liz Mitchell and Karen Walker.

There's a bumper crop of five Dunedin designers, four labels from the capital set to take to the catwalk, and three from Christchurch.

There are eight Verge New Generation labels representing the best emerging talent in New Zealand Fashion including one designer still in her teens, a label best known for its hip hop style, a South Island brand with an ecological flavour and a television celebrity closely linked with interior design now looking to decorate the body.

Two shows are currently scheduled for this most-watched group of designers plus an additional Verge New Generation show featuring fledgling labels from Westfield Pasifika designers.

While the list of important international buyers and VIP media won't be announced until late in September, Pieter Stewart did confirm the attendance of renowned New Zealand model Angela Dunn.

Dunn, now based in London, has worked for every major world designer and appeared in catwalk shows from New York to Paris, London, Tokyo and Milan. She'll run a special workshop for models prior to the collections giving them a unique opportunity to learn tips from one of the best in the business on how to make the most of a designer's garments.

Naming rights sponsor Air New Zealand also revealed an extra incentive for this year's designers; an Export Growth Award comprising international travel to the value of $32,000 to be given to one designer each year to enable them to develop export opportunities for their label.

This Award is also supported by other event sponsors, the Hilton Hotel and strategic partner, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

A schedule outlining the timing of each show will be released within the next few weeks.

Details will also be released regarding the Exhibition, featuring off catwalk fashion including accessories and emerging designers plus Air New Zealand Fashion Week events that are open to the public including the "Best of.." shows which feature highlights of the collections.

Attached is the full list of designers and their labels (in alphabetical order) selected for Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2004, October 18 - 21

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For more details including profiles on this year's designers visit http://www.nzfashionweek.com/

About Air New Zealand Fashion Week:

Air New Zealand Fashion Week unites the finest of New Zealand fashion and showcases it to the world. In just four years, the event has delivered significant trade opportunities for New Zealand fashion's inherently indigenous take on urban style.

News release
August 9 2004

AIR NEW ZEALAND FASHION WEEK
DESIGNERS AND THEIR LABELS
The full list of designers and their labels (in alphabetical order) selected for Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2004, October 18 - 21 are as follows:

Andrea Moore, Andrea Moore – WELLINGTON
Angeline Harrington, Angeline Harrington - WELLINGTON
Annah Stretton, Annah Stretton - MORRINSVILLE
Barbara Lee, Barbara Lee - CHRISTCHURCH
Basquesse, Viviana Pannell – WELLINGTON
Carlson, Tanya Carlson - DUNEDIN
Caroline Church, Caroline Church - AUCKLAND
Chalkydigits, Liz Collins – CHRISTCHURCH
Dawn Raid, Danny Leaosavaii and Andy Murnane – AUCKLAND
Doris de Pont, Doris de Pont - AUCKLAND
Hailwood, Adrian Hailwood - AUCKLAND
Helen Talbot, Helen Talbot – AUCKLAND
Insidious Fix, Kylee Davis - AUCKLAND
IPG, Turet Knuefermann - AUCKLAND
james&august, Sally Ridge, Tessa Apa, Nicki Blackley - AUCKLAND
Jane Rhodes, Jane Rhodes – AUCKLAND
Karen Walker, Karen Walker - AUCKLAND
Kate Sylvester, Kate Sylvester - AUCKLAND
Liz Mitchell Design, Liz Mitchell – AUCKLAND
Mandatory, Fiona Voisey and Clare Bowden - WELLINGTON
Mild Red, Donna Tulloch - DUNEDIN
Miranda Brown, Miranda Brown – AUCKLAND
Nadine Freundlich, Nadine Freundlich – AUCKLAND
NG, Sharon Ng - CHRISTCHURCH
nikki-L, Nikki Lawrence – AUCKLAND
noiré, John Dyball and Jill Brogan-Lees – AUCKLAND
NOM*D, Margarita Robertson - DUNEDIN
OBI & Catalyst, Laurinda Sutcliffe and Robyn Hall – AUCKLAND
Pearl, Cris Roberts and Beth Mikkelson - AUCKLAND
Philippa Beaton, Pip Beaton - DUNEDIN
RJC, Claire Kingan-Jones - AUCKLAND
Roisin Dubh, Roisin Kearney - AUCKLAND
Sabatini White, Emma Grogan - AUCKLAND
Sakaguchi, Takaaki Sakaguchi - CHRISTCHURCH
SIDEWALK, Valeria Bevan, Campbell Bevan & Austin Moncrieff - AUCKLAND
Susan Scarf, Susan Scarf, Rosie Morrow and Amy Tonkin - AUCKLAND
Trelise Cooper, Trelise Cooper - AUCKLAND
Tudor Clee, Tudor Clee - AUCKLAND
VERTICE/VAMP, Susie Walker – AUCKLAND
Westfield Style Pasifika, Stan Wolfgram - AUCKLAND
Workshop, Workshop Denim, Helen Cherry, Chris and Helen Cherry - AUCKLAND
WORLD, Francis Hooper and Denise L’Estrange Corbet - AUCKLAND
Zambesi, Elisabeth and Neville Findlay - AUCKLAND

For a brief profile on each of the designers, and photo, please visit the Air New Zealand Fashion Week website at http://www.nzfashionweek.com

About Air New Zealand Fashion Week

Air New Zealand Fashion Week unites the best of New Zealand fashion and showcases it to the world. In just four years, the event has delivered significant trade opportunities for New Zealand fashion’s inherently indigenous take on urban style.

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