First class media and buyers fly in for ANZFW

Dear friends of Air New Zealand Fashion Week

Well it’s nearly upon us! With less than a week to go until Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2004, preparations have reached fever pitch. Designers and their production teams are putting the finishing touches on their collections and shows. Our sponsors, who are all activity involved in the event, are busy with their respective projects. Our international delegates are getting ready to make the trip down south. And the production team is hard at work turning those tin boat sheds into what will be a fantastic new venue befitting the fabulous garments on the catwalk!

First class media and buyers fly in for ANZFW

As the first collections to show autumn/winter 2005, ANZFW 2004 is set to show the very best of New Zealand fashion for the fourth time.

Word has spread around the world about the strength of this year’s designer line up, with an unprecedented number of international media registered.

More than two-dozen Northern Hemisphere media are registered to date - triple that of last year. These include internationally syndicated television show Fashion File (Canada), which is seen in some 500 million homes worldwide; BlackBook Mag (US); The Times (UK); the Saturday Telegraph (UK); Sportswear International (US/Italy); THE DAILY/FWD (US); and Dazed and Confused (UK). Attendance from Asia is also up markedly, with 15 key media registered. With Australia being New Zealand’s biggest apparel export market, interest from media across the Tasman remains strong.

These people will be hosted by ANZFW but also by our sponsor Air New Zealand, our strategic partner New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Tourism New Zealand.

Interest from buyers is also very strong with more than 160 international buyers registered so far from Australia , the US and Asia . These include: D-Mop and Ztampz Ltd ( Hong Kong ); Sann Freres and Sympathy ( Japan ); Trixilini ( Singapore ); Intuition, Nordstrum, Elizabeth Charles and Sola (US) ; and 60 plus from Australia.

Registration – get in early to avoid the queues!

The Registration and Information Desk will be located in the main entrance of the venue at 135 Halsey Street, Viaduct Harbour Village. It will be opened at the following times:

Monday, 18 October 9.00am - 8.00pm

Tuesday, 19 October 9.00am - 8.00pm

Wednesday, 20 October 9.00am - 8.00pm

Thursday, 21 October 9.00am – 8.00pm

The first day of registration is always busy. The first show isn’t until 11am on Monday 18 October. So if you’re an early riser, get to the venue early, register, and then relax and have a coffee or two before the first show starts, free at the Allpress Coffee Cart just inside the main entrance.

For more information on registration, email: nzfashionweek@tcc.co.nz

Seating and ticketing

Seating is now finalised and sponsors will receive their tickets this week. Delegates will receive their tickets at the time of registration.

Any issues with ticketing during ANZFW should be directed to the Registration and Information Desk. (Or prior to ANZFW, contact Denise Cohen on email. denise@dcconsulting.co.nz .)

Help is on hand at FINZ Help Desk

You’ve made it to Air New Zealand Fashion Week. The atmosphere is buzzing and hoards of people are moving at high speed in different directions - yet you’re not quite sure what to do or how to go about it? Head straight for the FINZ Help Desk.

Located in the main reception area, the FINZ Help Desk will be open between 10am and 6pm, with these hours extending based on demand.

FINZ (Fashion Industry New Zealand) representatives will be onsite throughout the week to provide help to delegates where and when it is needed, field designer and industry related queries, and assist organisers in ensuring that delegates have access to all of the information and resources available to make their ANZFW experience a success.

www.finz.co.nz

Chilling out at ANZFW

You’re at ANZFW, your feet are sore, your throat is parched and you need a break? Help is at hand with plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation.

Stop and rest a while at the Fashion Café and Deutz Bar, complete with DJs supplied by George FM and a super-long bar stretching the length of the room; the Closet, a chill-out area adjacent to the Fashion Cafe especially for VIPs buyers and media; or the airline-themed Allpress Café in the registration area, complete with airline seats, coffee and magazines.

Freshen up at the Smashbox make-up studio, where you can get a complimentary makeover using Smashbox Cosmetics, being launched in New Zealand at ANZFW.

End the day in style with a drink or a meal at Bellini Bar or Whites Restaurant at the Hilton Auckland or any of the participating Viaduct Harbour bars and restaurants. Watch the shows in real time at the Viaduct on the massive VidCom screen, sponsored by Auckland City Council.

Toast the end of ANZFW at the Wrap Party on the Thursday 21 October at Coast Bar.

Getting around

Getting around is a breeze for ANZFW delegates with your choice of three means of transportation.

The preferred car of ANZFW, Peugeot is supplying 10 cars for VIPs and taking over Te Whero Island and the Eastern Viaduct for Peugeot Fashion Week car parking only. Peugeot cars will be available for hire from this area. And any delegates driving Peugeot cars will have free parking right outside the main entrance of the venue.

One of the most stylish ways to arrive at ANZFW, the Max Yellow Water Taxis will leave from four points around the Viaduct and Princes Wharf bound for the official venue. The water taxis are free to all ANZFW delegates.

Alert Taxis will also dedicate its entire fleet to Fashion Week. The taxi rank will be just outside the main entrance to the venue. Or to order, phone +64 9 309 2000.

Check out the best in NZ design

While you’re at ANZFW, check out the best of New Zealand design at the Bombay Sapphire Design Room.

Initiated by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the Bombay Sapphire Design Room will showcase 50 of the country’s best product designers, including jewellery, glass, furniture and ceramics.

Among those pieces featured in the exhibition are pieces by furniture designers David Trubridge, Humphrey Ikin and Fletcher Vaughan, porcelain artist Trudy Kroef and textile designers Esther Diamond and Thread Linen.

Simon James Chris Grattan

What’s the forecast for ANZFW?

Well, we can't begin to predict the weather given Auckland's reputation for four seasons in one day, however we have got a few secrets from the workroom we can share. There are celebrity models in many of the shows, amazing hand produced items for VIP goodie bags, special effects and props galore, New Zealand music throughout the shows, a special little kiwi opening ANZFW at the Official Opening on Sunday 17 October, and much, much more. But we can’t tell you anymore than that, you’ll just have to see for yourselves!

Christchurch student Hannah Ogilvie’s design Passport to Fashion won the MAX competition to design the official ANZFW t-shirt, which go to all delegates. MAX Managing Director David Wright liked Hannah’s concept so much he’s also used it to illustrate the official delegates bag.

Well that’s all from us. To designers, good luck with your preparations. To delegates, happy travels. And we look forward to seeing you all at ANZFW 2004!

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