Feathers Are Fashion, Not Just For The Birds

Feathers Are Fashion, Not Just For The Birds

As a fashion trend, feathers add an ethereal touch to any ensemble; something reected on the runways by fashion giants Burberry Prorsum, Christian Lacroix, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren. During April in Dunedin, feathers will be used for an unusual fashion competition to raise money for the Asthma Foundation.

The annual Novadown Fashioned Feathers event in association with Arthur Barnetts is set to hit Dunedin on the 28th of April; seeing which entrants can come up with the most fashion forward and creative idea they can conjure using provided feathers, down and fabric.

As is now the tradition, invited nalists will get to sashay down the runway in front of a panel of judges including representatives from Arthur Barnett, the Asthma Foundation and Nom*D designer Margi Robertson.

“I’m intrigued to see how designers work with feathers and duvet materials,” says rst time judge, Robertson. “Feathers are a luxurious lightweight material that has long been a part of the history of garments the world over and I’m interested in how the different fabrics are translated into a fashion garment,” she says. “I will be looking for entries that provide a balance of all design elements, such as use of materials, how they work with the body, inventiveness, quality, and more than a dash of style,” she says. “My advice to the entrants is to push boundaries, don’t settle for your rst idea and see where your creativity takes you!”

This year the competition includes prizes for fashion as well as recognising creative air. “The last time the event was held the fashion element was very strong, so this year we wanted to be able to recognize entries that embraced that element,” says Novadown Marketing Manager Nicola Lester. The event will also feature an auction of donated garments from established Kiwi labels such as Ketz-ke, Michelle Yvette, Basquesse and milliner Amy Jansen Leen alongside and Otago favourites Jane Sutherland, St Clair Design, Charmaine Reveley and iD Emerging Designers Pacic Blue Prize Winner Laura Marshall; inspired by their winter 2010 collections.

Fashioned Feathers began in 2006 as a way for Novadown to raise money for charity and align their quality bedding with fashion and creativity. The quirky idea was so popular, established and aspiring designers have ?ocked to be involved. This year proceeds from the event will go to the Asthma Foundation of New Zealand, which Novadown is involved with through the Sensitive Choice programme.

ENDS

© Scoop Media