The iD Fashion International Emerging Designer Awards will be moved online in the wake of Coronavirus.
Tsega walks with her model at iD Fashion Week 2019 iD International Emerging Designer Awards. Regent Theatre, Dunedin, New Zealand. Friday 15 March 2019. Photo: Chris Sullivan/iD Dunedin Photo: © 2019 iD Dunedin. All rights reserved.
Uncertainty around international travel, coupled with applicants from 17 countries, prompted organisers to make the event a virtual awards event.
iD board co-chair and iD Dunedin Fashion creative director Margo Barton said the judging panel would assess garments from designer statements, drawings, photos and videos.
"Then we'll work with the incredible talent at Dunedin's NHNZ to create a digital production showcasing the talent of these young designers from throughout the world in a sustainable manner."
The iD International Emerging Designer Awards presented by Otago Polytechnic is Australasia's only international young designer competition. Established in 2004, the competition attracts hundreds of entries from young fashion designers around the globe each year.
However, this year uncertainty over international travel has worried applicants and caused uncertainty for organisers.
The NHNZ-produced videos will premiere at Otago Museum as a part of its Fashion Forward >> Disruption Through Design exhibition in early May.
The finalists' videos will run continuously at the Otago Museum throughout May.
Then the winners will be announced as planned at an event in Dunedin on June 5.
iD Dunedin Fashion Inc co-chair Sally Peart said, "as you can imagine the Board of iD Dunedin has been working together to anticipate how the global outbreak of Covid-19/Coronavirus might impact finalists travelling to Dunedin".
"By re-imagining the 2020 iD International Emerging Designer Awards we have removed the element of uncertainty around international travel and are able to commit to celebrating the creativity of these recent fashion graduates starting their career."
For the past 15 years finalists have travelled to Dunedin from around the world for a whirlwind week of fashion experiences.
Peart said applicants for this year's awards have been asked to confirm their intent to be part of the new process.
Applications will be assessed by a team of leading New Zealand designers; Tanya Carlson of Tanya Carlson, Wynn Crawshaw of Wynn Hamlyn and Donna Tulloch of Mild Red as well as Bauer Media sustainability journalist and former iD International Emerging Designer Awards finalist, Fiona Ralph.
Finalists will be announced the week commencing Monday, March 23.
Following the iD International Emerging Designer Awards winners announcement, Otago Polytechnic will host a Fashion Symposium Exhibition on June 6.