Fashion Week lands at Viaduct

Runaway success: Air New Zealand Fashion Week contributes significantly to Auckland city's economy and showcases our creative industries.

From City Scene, published on 31 August, 2008

Air New Zealand Fashion Week kicks off at the Viaduct Harbour Marine Village from 16 to 22 September, with the latest from New Zealand's most established and emerging fashion designers.

The fashion industry is a major economic earner for Auckland city. The council sponsors Air New Zealand Fashion Week – now in its eighth year – to promote Auckland's creative industries
and build New Zealand's fashion exports.

"Air New Zealand Fashion Week has significantly raised the profile of the fashion industry and created many off-shoot industries," says the event's managing director Pieter Stewart.

"We're pleased to have had support from Auckland City Council since the very beginning of Air New Zealand Fashion Week," she says.

An exciting addition to the 2008 line-up is the Agresearch show, which is a collaboration between a number of top designers such as Annah Stretton, twentysevennames, Stitch Ministry, Zambesi, Hailwood, Jaeha, Sera Lilly and Salasai, to showcase specially designed New Zealand textiles such as next-to-skin, wool based and environmentally friendly fabrics.

Fashionistas can also look forward to seeing the latest collections from Zambesi, Nom*D, Trelise Cooper, Karen Walker and Huffer, along with popular designers Cybèle, Deborah Sweeney, Sera Lily, Lonely Hearts, Deadly Ponies and Jaeha.

"Every year is different, and I'm pleased to report that in 2008 Air New Zealand Fashion Week is bursting with just the right balance of fresh and emerging talent alongside the well-established and recognised labels."

"You can expect to see a stronger representation of popular streetwear labels, plus some exciting new group shows, which give the audience a taste of a variety of labels," says Ms Stewart.

This year's event will feature a special Fashion Weekend on Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 September, for those who can't make it to shows during the week.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/events for more information about Air New Zealand Fashion Week or www.nzfashionweek.co.nz to buy tickets.