(PR.co.nz) A young Croatian fashion designer has won the iD Emerging Designer Award – held in Dunedin, in New Zealand’s South Island, as part of 2010 iD Fashion Week.
Igor Gallas, a graduate of the Faculty of Textile Design in Zagreb, walked away with a prize of NZ$5000 and direct entry into the prestigious Mittelmoda fashion award in Italy.
His winning collection was titled Protector from Knitted Galaxy and focused on the traditional art of hand-knitting. It is the first time anyone from Croatia has entered the competition.
Two other international designers were second and third. Ryota Shiga from Sugina Fashion College, Japan, picked up the NZ$3000 second prize, while Ichiro Suzuki from London College of Fashion won third prize of NZ$1000.
Brisbane designer Paula Kyle Walden was named winner of the inaugural Golden Centre jewellery design award, worth NZ$1000.
Knitted fantasies
Igor Galas’ collection was based on the “dream of a Protector, who will come from the knitted galaxy and save the earth from the phenomenon of global warming”.
Galas’ quirky range featured soft, floor-length knitted dresses, woollen headgear with long, woven dreadlocks and huge, ruched backs.
“My dream is linked with the fact that wool, and only wool, has the characteristic of being warm in winter and cool in summer. This is the balance that is needed so earth can move forward and be green and beautiful.”
British fashion designer and judge Zandra Rhodes said the award’s top winners proved its international appeal. She said Galas’ collection showed wonderful originality that could also be translated into commercial success.
“His collection demonstrated individuality and his modesty in presenting the collection and describing how he made it was refreshing.”
Top award for local show
Now in its sixth year, the iD Emerging Designer Awards offers a glimpse into the future of some of the world’s best emerging fashion talents.
The awards received more than 120 entries from 19 countries in 2010, up from 11 countries in 2009.
The judges for the 2010 Emerging Designer Awards were British fashion guru Zandra Rhodes, Mittelmoda Fashion Award project supervisor Stefano Sopelza, Kiwi fashion and beauty editor Katie Newton, and New Zealand fashion blogger Isaac Hindin-Miller.
iD Dunedin Fashion Week is in its 11th year and grows in popularity. Staged at the heritage Dunedin Railway Station – one of New Zealand’s most-photographed historic buildings, it is a unique fashion event that continues to attract international attention.
Media Release 12 Mar 2010 from NewZealand.com.