Media Release
17 April 2007
Air New Zealand Renews Commitment to Take NZ Fashion to the World
Air New Zealand has today renewed its naming rights sponsorship of the most important event on the New Zealand fashion
calendar – Air New Zealand Fashion Week.
Air New Zealand has committed to another three years as the naming rights sponsor, extending its existing three year
sponsorship of the event and reaffirming its position as the carrier of choice for the New Zealand fashion industry.
“Renewing the sponsorship of Air New Zealand Fashion Week further cements Air New Zealand’s commitment to taking the
best of New Zealand to the world. We are proud to support this showcase that propels creativity and growth within the
fashion industry and enables New Zealand designers to increase their international business,” says Steve Bayliss, Air
New Zealand General Manager Marketing.
Air New Zealand Fashion Week sees the country’s top designers showcasing their latest collections to local and
international buyers, guests and media.
Air New Zealand Fashion Week Managing Director Pieter Stewart is delighted Air New Zealand have renewed their
sponsorship and anticipates further growth of the industry as more and more designers are given the opportunity to
showcase their wares through Air New Zealand Fashion Week.
“We are delighted to announce our continuing partnership with Air New Zealand and can’t think of a sponsor more equipped
to showcase the New Zealand fashion industry to the rest of the world,” says Ms Stewart.
“The investment made by Air New Zealand ensures that fashion week is more than a fashion show – it’s a business
opportunity for designers and New Zealand, a talent showcase, a creativity outlet and a fantastic international media
opportunity for our country. Air New Zealand makes this possible.”
The benefits of Air New Zealand Fashion Week are further reaching than helping New Zealand designers increase or
establish an export business. The event also positions New Zealand as a creative and innovative nation and showcases our
unique design talent to the world.
Air New Zealand’s support of the fashion industry over the past three years has also helped position Air New Zealand
Fashion Week off-shore as a trade event showcasing the very best in high-quality, experimental New Zealand Fashion.
“With Air New Zealand on board again we look to extending the international reputation of Air New Zealand Fashion Week
by growing promising local talent in tandem with total apparel industry exports” says Stewart.
Air New Zealand brings a myriad of international buyers and media to the event and features a dedicated New Zealand
fashion channel as part of the in-flight entertainment. The collaboration with Zambesi to produce the new staff uniform
gives international visitors a preview of top New Zealand fashion design before touching-down in the country.
To accompany the Air New Zealand Fashion Week sponsorship Air New Zealand provides robust support for emerging and
established designers to grow their potential within local industry and overseas markets.
2006 saw the launch of Inspiring New Zealanders in Fashion, a scholarship award aimed at providing a promising fashion
graduate with mentoring and guidance from Karen Walker to launch their career.
The scholarship complements the Air New Zealand Fashion Export Awards, launched three years ago to give designers travel
assistance to develop their export business and international profile. This prize providers two designers with a
lucrative Air New Zealand international travel prize, accommodation from Hilton International, market support from New
Zealand Trade and Enterprise and freight assistance from DHL Express, with a combined value of more than $50,000.
ENDS