Westpac Red Collection Takes To The Catwalk

Westpac, bankers to the New Zealand fashion industry, will stage a unique and exclusive fashion show, set to be the highlight of Air New Zealand Fashion Week on Saturday 23 September 2006.

The inaugural Westpac Red Collection is a collaboration of five of New Zealand’s top designers on one catwalk, in one show with a grand finale that is a true first in New Zealand fashion history!

The five designers, all of whom bank with Westpac, have agreed to be part of a never before seen fashion event.

It’s the fashion equivalent of international treaty talks as designers are understandably highly protective of the way their collections are presented on the catwalk.

Just for this one night, at the request of Westpac, these designers have agreed to allow their clothes to be styled together.

The five are among the very hottest names in New Zealand fashion - Zambesi, Trelise Cooper, Liz Mitchell, Adrienne Winkelmann and streetwear label Huffer, who came up with the idea of this unique “union” of New Zealand fashion talent.

To be known as The Westpac Red Collection Compilation, this will be a fitting and spectacular wrap up to New Zealand’s most fashionable week.

The woman with the task of coordinating surely what will be the most talked about and hotly debated “looks” of the week is one of New Zealand and Australia’s leading stylists, Karen Inderbitzen-Waller. She says the chance to create never before seen compilations for the catwalk is a perfect end to her week at the shows.

“It’s a chance to define a true New Zealand fashion ‘look’. Of course, it’s something everyone does on the street but being able to work with some of the most directional clothes in the country is a very exciting prospect,” Inderbitzen-Waller said.

The invitation-only event will see 350 special guests enjoy a supper and the show, which will also feature an individual parade from each of the designers, styled by Inderbitzen-Waller.

It’s a bold move by Westpac, that has just this year joined the ranks of elite sponsors of Air New Zealand Fashion Week. The connection is something Westpac CEO, Ann Sherry explains is a very fitting way of highlighting Westpac’s commitment to supporting the New Zealand Fashion industry and the business of fashion.

“The Westpac Red Collection is a celebration of and for our customers, in particular, those designers featuring in this wonderful show, a New Zealand first,” Ann Sherry said.

As for the designer’s who will be part of this inaugural event, they can’t wait to see just how it will all turn out and are all extremely positive about the opportunity. Their attitude is summed up by Trelise Cooper.

"I am very happy to be a Westpac customer. I think its fantastic Westpac has supported New Zealand designers and has us collaborating in this finale at NZ Fashion Week. It’s incredibly innovative of the bank!” said Cooper.

Westpac’s involvement with Fashion week will this year also include:

Elite Sponsor status

Providing cash-out facilities throughout the vast Halsey Street venue

Providing free business information – including the ‘Beyond Survival’ Business advice guide

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