Exceptional standard of entries for iconic fashion awards

11 July 2012

Exceptional standard of entries for iconic fashion awards

New Zealand’s most iconic fashion design awards competition has received an exceptional standard of entries for the 2012 event.

Executive producer Heather Paterson said the entries in this year’s Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, to be held in Gore later this month, were of an outstanding quality.

“Not only have we received a record number of entries and garments, but they’ve come from Northland to Southland and we’ve even received one from an ex-Southlander now living in Japan,” she said.

The approximately 215 entrants range from primary school, secondary school and design school students through to enthusiastic and talented designers of all ages.

Mr Paterson said once again the Steampunk section had a strong number of entries of amazingly detailed design that would no doubt prove popular with the audience.

“The Denim section has some incredible pieces, while other sections feature all manner of materials including leather and plastic,” she said.

Wool has proven popular with many entrants, with outstanding design skills and techniques used to create some stunning garments.

Ms Paterson said the judges’ task of selecting the final 200 garments to make the catwalk would be “very difficult” this year and would take a considerable amount of time. Those that make the Awards finals will be vying for their slice of the $34,000 prize fund on offer, with the overall winner taking away a prize package of around $12,000.

With Saturday night’s Gala Awards all but sold out ,members of the public who want to view the entries in the 2012 Hokonui Fashion Design Awards can still get tickets for the Friday evening ‘Strictly Design’ show.

Ms Paterson said there was “something for everyone” at this year’s Awards.

“Some of the designs are very wearable, but other garments are pushing the boundaries,” she said.

“That’s what the Awards are all about; giving people the opportunity to express their creativity”.

The Hokonui Strictly Design Evening will take place on Friday 27 July and the Hokonui Gala Awards Evening on Saturday 28 July. Tickets for Friday evening’s ‘Strictly Design’ show are on sale at the Gore i-SITE. Visitors can phone the i-SITE on +64 (3) 208 9908 to buy tickets.

Visit http://www.hokonuifashion.co.nz/events-tickets for more details.

The Hokonui Fashion Design Awards have been running since 1988 and are firmly established as a key event on the national fashion calendar. The Awards offer a competitive platform for all amateur designers to display their designs before a panel of high profile judges.

Spearheading the panel this year is New Zealand fashion icon Doris de Pont, joined by Auckland’s James Dobson, known by his label ‘Jimmy D’, well-known Christchurch designer Barbara Lee, Lela Jacobs of Auckland and Gore’s Jim Geddes, the resident Steampunk expert.

ENDS

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