Fashion Design trio among iD Emerging finalists

Three of Otago Polytechnic's recent fashion graduates have been selected as finalists for the 2025 iD International Emerging Designer Awards.

124 entries were received by the iD Dunedin Fashion board for next year's awards, from 26 countries (including New Zealand).  The awards were launched in 2005 and are presented in partnership with Otago Polytechnic.

A judging panel of Tanya Carlson (Head Judge, Carlson), Margi Robertson (NOM*d), and Tara Viggo (Paper Theory) had the difficult task of assessing the entries and narrowing the field down to 30 finalists from 16 international schools and universities.

Otago Polytechnic is proud to see three of our Fashion Design graduates included in that list, with Isabella Dudley-Farnham (Valley of the Dolls collection), Ciaran Naylor (New Patina), and Katalia Reid (Folly) named as finalists in the competition.

Margo Barton, Academic Leader for Fashion, says the trio are in for an exciting experience.

"Not only will they have the opportunity to meet and be assessed by a distinguished panel of fashion professionals from Australasia, but they will also connect with other emerging fashion designers from around the world."

"I hope that these interactions will lead to lasting relationships and collaborations as they begin their careers in fashion."

All the Emerging Designer finalists will travel to Dunedin next year to present their collections in front of the judges, before their designs are presented as part of the iD Dunedin Fashion Show on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 April.

In addition, the show's dedicated Otago Polytechnic section has been supersized for 2025.  12 fashion design graduates from the last two years have been invited to showcase their collections at the flagship show. This is an increase from the 4-6 designer showcase in previous years, and follows the change to a biennial event.

Attendees will get to see designs by Isabella Dudley-Farnham, Emily Guylee, Holly Hewitt, Ciaran Naylor, Katalia Reid, Rhiannon Savage, Nevada Wolfgramm, Tegan Vickery (2024 graduates), together with Molly Marsh, Mamia van Dongen, Katherine Inder, Laurabelle Voight (2023 graduates).

Margo Barton believes the graduate showcase will offer an insight into the current state of fashion and its future possibilities.

"Each collection is wearable and appealing to a diverse audience, includes menswear, evening wear, and everything in between, and is relevant to various sizes and ages," she says.

Mark Cartwright, Deputy Executive Director: Academic Delivery at Otago Polytechnic says the partnership with iD Dunedin Fashion provides students with "a real-life platform to showcase their talents on an international stage, promoting emerging designers and offering them networking opportunities within the fashion industry."

"The event has helped us to forge relationships with institutions across the globe, most notably with the Shanghai University of Engineering and Science who have sent fashion modelling students to participate in the show," he says.

Some of the country's up and coming school-age designers will also be celebrated, in the Hokonui Schools Highlights section.  16 young designers will show their work on the runway at Dunedin Railway Station, including May Dyson, winner of the new Otago Polytechnic iD Dunedin Sustainable Excellence Award.