Local lads do well with Stolen Girlfriends

Marc Moore, Luke Harwood and Dan Gosling receive their award from Air NZ CEO Rob Fyfe. Photo / Supplied

Fashion Week got off to a flying start for local label Stolen Girlfriends, winner of this year's Air New Zealand Fashion Innovation Award for Taking New Zealand Fashion Creativity to the World.

With $30,000 of international travel now at their disposal, the three designers behind the label are thrilled at the opportunity it offers.

"We're starting to develop our growth in exports with markets such as Japan, the UK and Europe," said Marc Moore who, with Luke Harwood and Dan Gosling, has quickly earned a name for their clothes.

"Combine this with an increased following here and locally, and picking up agents overseas, all the building blocks are there for growth. We just need to get over there, build relationships with media and the buyers, so they can put a name to the face."

Stolen Girlfriends was unexpectedly picked up this year by an agent in London and as a result, without really trying, the label is already stocked in six stores, including London's Liberty store and the well-known online store asos.com.

"There are so many great designers out there that buyers around the world can pick who they like," said Moore. "So it's important to have a strong brand - a story that sets you apart."

The winners of the Innovation Award for From Runway to the Runway, voted for by the public, were twenty-seven names. Stolen Girlfriends will show at ANZFW tomorrow evening.