Former Fashion Week Director Corrects False Claims of Debt

Former Wellington Fashion Week Creative Director, Cameron Sneddon is calling on Wellington City Council to correct comments made about outstanding debt.

Mr Sneddon and Wellington City Council settled outstanding debts through an agreement in November last year, after money was put back into the community by paying outstanding debts to local businesses and event participants.

The amount claimed to be owed by Mr Sneddon’s former business, was attributed to costs incurred by Wellington City Council’s excessive targets and funding requirements.

Sneddon says, "The council made attempts to claim $28,000 in damages from Wellington Fashion Week which were dropped after was proven that the damages were a direct result of excessive targets and performance measures."

Alongside the unachievable targets, the event was held in Council owned venues which cost Wellington Fashion Week $35,000. Council also required that they received revenue on ticket sales and received all of the bars sales takings, putting a significant financial strain on the event.

Mr Sneddon says that “I was involved in ongoing discussions with Wellington City Council in November 2016, and reached an agreement that the amount outstanding had been used appropriately to pay for event costs.

"Council provided the funding in advance to cover mounting debts. This transaction occurred after concerns were raised about the 2015 event even going ahead; they knew where the money was going.

"I am astounded to hear that there are claims that I have been uncontactable and defiant, and urge Council to correct this false information.

“I have not heard from anyone at Wellington City Council since November 2016, and was not contacted by the Dominion Post for comment. If Council is interested in opening up further dialog with me, I suggest they contact me.

“It saddens me that I have not been offered the decency to respond to very serious and character damaging allegations which are completely untrue.”

Wellington Fashion Week ran very successfully from 2013-2015 and drew people from across the country and abroad.

It offered a platform for local designers to showcase their collections and stamped a mark on an industry which has become considerably difficult to prosper in, with the rise of fast fashion and online platforms.

The demise of the event came after significant underfunding, a tough economic environment and lack of wider support, despite the considerable level of national and international interest.

“I put my heart and soul into this event and it tears me apart to hear comments like this."

“I worked tirelessly to try and make the event profitable, but ultimately I couldn’t get the support we needed to keep it running."

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