Corona virus prompts international fashion design awards to move online
Uncertainty around international travel coupled with applicants from 17 countries has prompted organisers of the iD
International Emerging Designer Awards to move the show online.
iD Board Co-chair and iD Dunedin Fashion Creative Director, Dr Margo Barton, made the announcement saying; “This year
the iD International Emerging Designer Awards, supported by Otago Polytechnic will become a virtual awards event.”
“Our judging panel will assess garments from designer statements, drawings, photos and video. Then we’ll work with the
incredible talent at Dunedin’s NHNZ to create a digital production showcasing the talent of these young designers from
throughout the world in a sustainable manner.”
“The NHNZ-produced iD International Emerging Designer Awards video will be unveiled with a premiere at Otago Museum as a
part of its ‘Fashion Forward >> Disruption Through Design’ exhibition in early May. The finalists’ video will run continuously at the Otago Museum throughout May. Then the
winners will be announced as planned at an event in Dunedin on Friday 5 June.”
iD Dunedin Fashion Inc Co-chair, Sally Peart said “as you can imagine the Board of iD Dunedin has been working together
to anticipate how the global outbreak of Covid-19/Coronavirus might impact finalists travelling to Dunedin. By
reimagining the 2020 iD International Emerging Designer Awards we have removed the element of uncertainty around
international travel and are able to commit to celebrating the creativity of these recent fashion graduates starting
their career.”
The iD International Emerging Designer Awards presented by Otago Polytechnic is Australasia’s only international young
designer competition. Since being established in 2004 the competition attracts hundreds of entries from young fashion
designers around the globe each year. For the past 15 years finalists have travelled to Dunedin from around the world
for a whirlwind week of fashion experiences. However, this year uncertainty over international travel has worried
applicants and caused uncertainty for organisers.
Sally Peart says applicants for this year’s Awards have been asked to confirm their intent to be part of the new
process. Then applications will be assessed by a team of leading New Zealand designers; Tanya Carlson of Tanya Carlson,
Wynn Crawshaw of Wynn Hamlyn and Donna Tulloch of Mild Red as well as Bauer Media sustainability journalist and former
iD International Emerging Designer Awards finalist, Fiona Ralph. Finalists will be announced the week commencing Monday
23 March.
Finalists will be asked to supply a two minute video – which can be shot on a mobile phone – answering questions about
their design philosophy. Using the video, and photos and sketches of their designs a panel will decide winners with the
announcement made in Dunedin on Friday 5 June. Details of an event will be announced shortly and finalists able to
travel to Dunedin are invited to attend.
Following the iD International Emerging Designer Awards winners announcement, Otago Polytechnic will host a Fashion
Symposium Exhibition on Saturday 6 June 2020 In Dunedin.