Newmarket Business Association
Friday 31 October 2008
Winner of Newmarket’s Young Fashion Designer announced
Winner of the Newmarket Young Designer Award, Paris Kirby (17), modelling her winning design.
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Westlake Girl’ High School student Paris Kirby, aged 17, was announced the winner of the inaugural Newmarket Young
Designer Award during a full blown fashion show at the Raye Freedman Centre at Epsom Girl’s Grammar attended by 250
people.
Paris Kirby takes away the top prize which includes a trip for two flying Qantas to New York with 4 nights accommodation
courtesy of House of Travel Newmarket; and while in Manhattan the opportunity to work back stage at Karen Walker's New
York Fashion Show in February; $1,000 spending money plus a one year scholarship to Whitecliffe College of Arts and
Design. The winner will also receive a two week design assistant internship working alongside Auckland Designer Vicki
Taylor in the Taylor Workroom.
1st Runner Up was Dominique Healy aged 18 was awarded a cash prize of $500. While second runner-up Duncan Lamont Brown
aged 17 from Kamo High School, in Whangarei took away a $250 voucher from Centrepoint Fabrics
A further four young designers were highly commended: 15-year old Stephie Key of St Cuthbert’s College; 17 year old
Georgia Pratt of Carmel College, Jess Quinn aged 15 also Carmel College, and Victoria Tatam aged 16 of Iona College in
Havelock North. They each received a fashion designer book courtesy of Dymocks Newmarket.
“The judges were overwhelmed with the quality of the entries so they decided to acknowledge a further six contestants
out of the 33 entries. The judges had a very tough job,” says Newmarket Business Association Acting General Manager, Lea
Worth.
“Newmarket is the Fashion Capital of New Zealand and this award is all about helping, supporting and encouraging young
designers who want to break into the fashion world. The feedback we’ve had has been fantastic with entries coming from
as far north as Whangarei and as far south Te Anau. Next year, we’ll do it all again for anyone between the ages of 15
to 18 to enter,” said Lea Worth.
ENDS