KEY POINTS:
He has more than 20 years' experience in the fashion industry, so it seems fitting that Ian Webster is passing on his business know-how to some young up-and-coming designers.
Webster, a co-director of fashion label Verge, which he set up with friend Neil Brabant, will mentor the five designers chosen to take part in this year's Verge Breakthrough Designer programme. The programme has been running for four years, but has a new twist in 2008: those front-row at the Breakthrough fashion show next Wednesday will decide who wins a $10,000 business development grant.
Webster, a foundation member and former chairman of industry body FINZ, hopes the grant will help a young designer grow their label. "I'm constantly amazed at the depth of talent that keeps emerging each time we start the selection process of the show," says Webster. He clearly knows his stuff: past luminaries who have taken part in the mentoring programme include Cybele, Lonely Hearts and Hailwood. The fashion authority tells us about his favourite things.
Ten favourite things
1 Our dog Sash
After eight years she still gets excited every time she sees me. Like most dogs she's very spoilt and comes to work with me every day. She has her own desk and computer at Verge as she is a key member of the design team.
2 My Brando black lizard skin boots
They are the most expensive shoes I've ever bought but they fit like a glove and they look great with jeans, which is all I seem to wear these days.
3 A good book
It's a great way to fall asleep after a hectic day. Currently I'm reading The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. It's worth a read. It gives an interesting perspective on differences between the West and Islam.
4 Auckland International Airport
It makes me realise how privileged I am to be able to travel and how lucky I am to have New Zealand to come home to. I'm spending a lot of time in Asia at the moment and I'm not sure what's worse, the series of south-westerly gales we have had in Auckland this winter or working in Hong Kong in 38 degree heat with 90 per cent humidity.
5 Les Mills Victoria St at 5.30am during the week
I can always get a park, no one cares what you look like, it's relatively quiet and I can get in and out in one hour. It's virtually Lycra-free at that time of the morning but I admit it is hard to get out of bed at 5am!
6 My Bvlgari Watch
I could never justify the cost but then it turned up under the tree one Christmas, a gift from my partner. How lucky am I? I love the look of it and it's one of those things that I'll always have and enjoy wearing.
7 My black Gucci belt
It matches the lizard skin boots and I can wear it with anything. It's interesting that many people (including me) now have a "masstige" approach to fashion, by wearing brands from all market levels together as opposed to being head-to-toe in one label.
8 MySky
Now we can watch what we want when we want and fast forward through the ads. Subscribing to the movies channels makes having MySky worthwhile and is surprisingly easy to navigate for someone like me, a self-confessed Luddite.
9 Phantom Limb by Seraphine Pick
Not that I know much about art, but this piece really moved me. I think she is very talented. She's having a show in Auckland at the end of the year which I am definitely looking forward to.
10 #22 Chicken Sizzling Plate from the Ponsonby Food Court
Lots of chicken vegetables and rice, very low fat and all for $11.50. We can order, eat and be on our way in around half an hour.
