Education New Zealand and FDCI came together to host Runway to New Zealand where 12 new designers from both countries showcased their collection
Education New Zealand (ENZ) and Fashion Design Council of India hosted the ‘Runway to New Zealand’, an interesting fashion fiesta, in the capital, today. The event was a culmination of a month-long journey which saw an amalgamation of creative impetus and ingenuity. It celebrated independent thinking and encouraged team work as two participants from New Zealand and India came together to curate ensembles.
It showcased the Think New collection by 12 students from New Zealand (Massey University and AUT University) and Indian institutions (National Institute of Fashion Technology and the Pearl Academy) using indigenous sustainable fabrics to craft new-age garments based on the theme ‘Future World Connection”.
The competition was judged by an esteemed jury which included prominent names from the style galaxy: Amit Aggarwal, Rina Dhaka, Rohit Bal and Varun Bahl.
Two winning pairs were selected — Yoshino Maruyama from Massey University and Megha Sharma from Pearl Academy; the second pair — Claire Nicholson from AUT University and Aishwarya Jain from Pearl Academy, won a two-week internship at the participating New Zealand fashion school where they will get an opportunity to experience New Zealand’s eclectic teaching processes.
The fashion show featured engaging concepts by the six student pairs, covering themes such as creative uniform, ambitious girls in a dystopian global environment, boundary less world, among others. The student designers were judged on the basis of technical, theme interpretation, ramp impact, market relevance and functionality.
Other designers also seen at the event included Reynu Taandon, Rahul Mishra, Hemant lalwani, Gaurav Jai Gupta and many more.
Speaking on the occassion, Grahame Morton, New Zealand High Commissioner said, “The event was a tremendous success and I congratulate the winners and all the young kiwi and Indian student designers who participated. We saw some great ideas and the winners will have a very immediate opportunity to continue their work together in New Zealand. We are grateful to National Institute of Fashion Technology and Pearl Academy and the Fashion Design Council of India for working with Education New Zealand on this wonderful event.”
Speaking about the event, John laxon, acting regional director, Education New Zealand, said “This is the first of its kind initiative organised by Education New Zealand in India. We are pleased to have partnered with some of the best names in the fashion industry from both countries.”
“The initiative reinforces New Zealand’s reputation as a premier higher education destination. We are delighted that more and more Indian students are choosing to study at our Universities, which are all ranked in the top three per cent worldwide. I am very pleased that ‘Runway to New Zealand’ has not only strengthened academic connection but also initiated cultural and social ties,” John pointed out.
“We hope to create more such avenues of engagement for students from both countries, exploring the creative potential of New Zealand and India to its best,” he added.
Sunil Sethi, president, Fashion Design Council of India said, “It is captivating for the Fashion Design Council of India to be associated with a cross-cultural fashion event of this magnitude.” He continued, “The charged minds from the two countries, New Zealand and India, have worked meticulously to showcase their individualistic take on fashion. This event proves that style is truly seamless and this could not have been achieved without the unflinching support of the Education New Zealand.”