Sydney Showroom for New Zealand Designer Contingent

April 14, 2008

A strong contingent of 13 leading New Zealand fashion labels will make a formidable showroom line-up at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, Sydney, from April 28 to May 2.

The official New Zealand Designer Showroom will be located at the Billich Gallery, 106 George St, The Rocks - just a two minute walk from the Fashion Week hub at Circular Quay.

The designer showroom line-up is a mix of established and emerging labels including Air New Zealand Fashion Week darlings CYBÈLE, hailwood, Lonely Hearts, Annah Stretton, Federation, For Good and STITCH MINISTRY and newcomer Jaeha, who caused a fashion editor stampede backstage after his debut show in September. Other notable newcomers are Michael Pattison, Salasai, and sherieyvonne, who won the 2007 Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador Award. Leading designer maternity range EGG, and jewellery brand Kagi, a favourite of Rachel Hunter, Charlotte Dawson and Trinny & Susannah, complete the lineup.

The close proximity of the showroom to Circular Quay will provide easy access for agents, distributors, buyers and media attending Fashion Week. “It will be great to be on site and so close to the venue. The showroom gives us a presence at RAFW and a base from which to meet with media and buyers,” designer Cybele Wiren says.

This year also sees the highly anticipated return of Kate Sylvester. A stalwart of Australian Fashion Week, after a three year absence Sylvester returns to the runway with a solo show to launch her new menswear and eyewear (sunglasses and opticals) lines in the Australian market. Australian department store MYER is Sylvester’s biggest stockist.

Knitwear label Stitch Ministry will make its Australian Fashion Week catwalk debut in a group show. Stitch Ministry first appeared on the New Zealand fashion scene at the end of 2006, after former Insidious Fix designer Kylee Davis and knitwear leader Jason Gitmans joined forces. Known for its innovative knits, sophisticated cuts and contemporary prints, the men’s and women’s label already boasts 26 Australian accounts with 37 stores.

Australia is New Zealand's largest fashion/apparel export market, generating sales of $230 million per annum (to December 2007) or 71 per cent of total fashion exports.

The New Zealand Designer Showroom will be open daily from 9am to 8pm, April 28 – May 2.

The New Zealand Designer Showroom at RAFW is being supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

For images or designer profiles, contact  Ann Clifford, Communications Consultant, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, +64 4 816832, + 64 27 2833858, ann.clifford@nzte.govt.nz