Dunedin fashion event to be promoted overseas

Dunedin's big fashion event has impressed industry bigwigs, with one international fashion organiser planning to encourage European contacts to join the crowds at future events.

The organiser of international fashion competition Mittelmoda, Stefano Sopelza, said after the Vodafone id Dunedin Fashion Show on Saturday he would spread the word to his European fashion contacts.

"The (Dunedin) designers are already famous, but I think it's important to get other names here," he said.

"Once you get other guys coming here, you can make it an important event that has international status."

Mr Sopelza, one of the judges for the Vodafone id Dunedin emerging designer awards on Friday night in the Octagon, was impressed by the professionalism of the week's events.

Rex Turnbull, from LINO magazine, in Australia, attended Dunedin fashion week for the second time and said he continued to think Dunedin was a fashion capital.
"It seems that per capita, there are more creative people in this town than most cities in the world. It's great having role models that stay, like Tanya Carlson, Nom D and Mild Red. Maybe there's something in the water (that) sets Dunedin apart."

Last night, about 1500 people were treated to a display of creative, upbeat fashion from 15 Dunedin designers in a spectacular finale to fashion week at the Dunedin Railway Station .

- NZPA