Media release
YMCA Raise Up presents: Walk the Line
18 August, 2014
New Zealand Fashion Week 2014 will once again play host to this year’s very special Walk the Line Fashion Show,
delivered by YMCA Auckland to be held during the ‘open-to-the-public’ Fashion Weekend.
Walk the Line, in association with New Zealand Fashion Week, is an innovative platform where young designers aged 13 to
18 are able to put their creations on a world stage. The largest scale initiative of its kind, Walk The Line is open to
secondary school students nationwide, with over 40 budding designers set to feature in the 2014 event.
Echoing the ethos of YMCA Auckland’s youth development programme, Raise Up, Walk The Line is run completely by youth,
for youth. From the lighting and sound, stage setting and promotions, right through to the models and designs themselves
of course, young people are behind this must-see event – a fashion phenomenon that will astound in its professionalism.
Although largely facilitated by the 38 strong Raise Up Crew based on Auckland’s North Shore, budding high school fashion
enthusiasts from around the City, as well as some who will travel from outside of Auckland, will converge on Viaduct
Events Centre to answer the call to design, sew and style a garment that fits under one of the five show categories:
‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘Wearable recyclables’, ‘High Fashion,’ ‘Open Fashion’ and ‘Cultural’.
Local Greenhithe resident and Kristen School student, Elspeth Carroll is one of the young designers entering this year’s
‘Open Fashion’ category with a modern and wearable male design that her older brother is modelling. A member of the
North Shore Raise Up crew, 17 year old Elspeth was involved in coordinating the show last year and said that she was so
inspired that she just had to take part as a designer this year. When asked what she was most looking forward to about
the event, Elspeth said “Being backstage again as that’s something that not many people get to experience. I’ve also got
the opportunity to be an usher for some of the trade shows during the week, because of my involvement last year.”
As well as an incredible creative opportunity for young fashionistas, Walk The Line has proven to be a launchpad for
youth who are passionate about the industry. In fact, many past Walk the Line designers have gone on to pursue
successful careers in fashion.
Danielle Power-Silk, a Walk the Line past category winner and regular entrant has gone on to pursue a career in fashion.
Now living in Melbourne, Danielle is studying a Diploma in Fashion Business at The Melbourne Fashion Institute, is a
style consultant for Trelise Cooper, and is also designing her own line of high-end womenswear.
Bloggers, Coup De Main will be judging the entries and guests will be treated to dance, music and fashion in an
entertaining and beautiful catwalk show. Don’t miss out – make sure you get your tickets and come along to sample the
talent of our next generation.
YMCA Walk the Line - Young Designers Fashion Show
Saturday 30th August 10.30am
Viaduct Events Centre
Tickets available from http://www.iticket.co.nz/ $25
About YMCA Raise Up
YMCA’s Youth Development programme Raise Up, designed to give young people a safe environment where they can individuate
and test their own boundaries. Further to their efforts at NZFW, the crew plans and runs youth events for their local
communities. Raise Up has been designed to offer youth a safe and positive environment in which to relax, socialise and
achieve their goals. Established in 2002, Raise Up now operates from five locations across Auckland, with over 100 crew
members and continues to build on the long and successful history YMCA has had working with youth in local communities.
ENDS