3 April, 2014
10th iD International Emerging Designer Winners Deliver on X-Factor
A stand-out Italian emerging designer collection complete with innovative technology, expert tailoring and construction
and an indescribable “x-factor” has won tonight’s 10th annual iD International Emerging Designer Awards held at the Town
Hall in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Italian-based Mahshid Mahdian from Brera Academy in Milan tonight took out the iD Dunedin Fashion Inc’s top $10,000
prize – in recognition of 10 years of the international awards – with her collection, ‘Shadow’, inspired by the beauty
in the shadows and reflections of Burano Island in Venice.
Born in Tehran, Mahdian was influenced by her friend, former judge and Mittelmoda representative Stefano Sopelza, to
enter the Awards. Her collection impressed the judging panel with its bold geometrical shapes, diverse cuts and
innovative technologies.
“While overall, the standard of finalists were amazing, the winners stood out because their unique character and
personality as a designer came through in their garments,” says iD judge and WORLD creative director Francis Hooper.
“Mahshid captured a moment in a heartbeat.. When you looked at her collection, you knew she had it just right. It
delivered on that inexplicable x-factor.”
Hosted by Carol Hirschfeld, the 1350 strong audience enjoyed 26 international collections from emerging designers from
New Zealand, Australia, Europe, China, and India.
This year’s winners are:
• iD Dunedin Fashion Inc. 1st Place ($10,000): Mahshid Mahdian, 36, Brera Academy, Italy
• Caffe L’affare 2nd Place ($4000): Alanna Barca, 22, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia
• Dunedin International Airport 3rd Place ($2000): Chin Hau Tay, 22, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia
• The Fabric Store Award for Excellence in Design worth $3000 (includes $2000 fabric): Anna-Marie Gruber, 22, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
• New Zealand Light Leathers Prize worth $2000 (includes $1000 worth of fabric): Lucilla Gray, 22, Massey University, New Zealand
• Dunedin’s Golden Centre Mall Most Commercial Collection Prize ($1000):Mook Attakanwong, 22, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
In special recognition of his collection and potential, the judging panel also awarded Vaibhav Singh, 27, from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, India an opportunity of an internship with Martin Grant in
Paris.
Says designer Martin Grant: “Judging such a diverse range of collections was an incredibly stimulating and rewarding
experience.. We saw so much talent in many of the finalists, but for me, Vaibhav Singh really stood out for his
craftsmanship and potential as a designer. I hope he is able to take up the offer of an internship in Paris.”
Many of the stand-out finalists impressed the prestigious judging panel made up of Hooper, Paris-based designer Martin
Grant, long-time UK fashion educator Lucy Jones, and Dunedin’s own Tanya Carlson and Margi Robertson (NOM*d) with their
playful and fresh blend of technology with handcrafts, their mastery of silhouette and construction, and the cohesion of
each collection.
Fashion designer, iD Committee Member, and moderator Tanya Carlson says this year’s finalists are “all winners”, with
exceptional emerging designer collections that are among the best she has seen in the 10 years of the Awards.
“They are bold, playful and show a fresh, new approach to traditional crafts alongside the latest technology and
textiles. We had a fantastic time on judging day and were in total agreement of our winners.”
Backstage, Dr Margo Barton, Academic Leader (Fashion) at The School of Design and a team of students from the Otago
Polytechnic were in charge of managing the Awards, while Dunedin-based salon Klone Hair, led by Danelle and Karl Radel,
took charge of the runway hair creations. Fashion looks for the models – which this year included 10 international
models from the University of Shanghai Engineering Science – were created by a Revlon sponsored makeup team, led by
Aliana McDaniel.
About iD Dunedin Fashion Week, 29 March – April 6 2014 – Dunedin, New Zealand
Featuring international designer, Martin Grant, alongside Kiwi guest WORLD and much-loved Dunedin labels NOM*d, Carlson,
Company of Strangers, Charmaine Reveley, Mild-Red, DADA Vintage, Tamsin Cooper and more, iD Dunedin Fashion Week’s 15th
anniversary is a must-see on the global fashion calendar.
This week-long series of retail fashion events, culminating in iD’s signature shows – the iD International Emerging
Designer Awards on Thursday April 3 at Dunedin’s Town Hall and the iD Dunedin Fashion Shows at the Dunedin Railway
Station on April 4 and 5 – is unlike any other, set in Dunedin heritage locations and open to everyone.
ENDS