New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) is excited to announce that after a hiatus due to COVID-19, it is returning this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary – and this time it will be bigger and better than ever, thanks to a packed schedule of events.
Returning to the iconic Aotea Square and Auckland Town Hall, the traditionally trade-only show will run from Monday August 23 to Sunday August 29 and will be open to consumers for the very first time.
To give fashion lovers a chance to experience NZFW alongside industry and designer guests, iTicket will offer a limited number of hosting packages to selected shows, including Kate Sylvester, Kathryn Wilson, Hailwood and Zambesi, as well as the very special 20-year Retrospective Show.
To extend the experience further, a fan zone will be set up in Aotea Square where the public can view selected shows on a big screen and participate in a number of activities.
After the postponement of NZFW last year, the return of this iconic event has been highly anticipated by the wider industry. There has also been a resurgence of the appreciation of what NZFW does for the local industry.
“There is no other event in New Zealand that brings our industry together in the way NZFW does, nor is there an event which provides a platform for designers, makeup artists, stylists, photographers and models to showcase their unique skills and talents to the world,” NZFW founder and managing director, Dame Pieter Stewart, said. “We should not under-estimate the power that NZFW has to influence, promote and celebrate New Zealanders.”
Beyond fashion, NZFW has made a positive impact by leading conversations around pertinent issues such as diversity, inclusion and sustainability, all of which are now important elements of every NZFW. This year NZFW will continue to highlight the importance of these issues building on the momentum established in previous years and above all, celebrate the diverse careers that have been ignited through the event.
As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, opening night will feature a special Retrospective Show with a selection of designers who have previously shown at NZFW and been a part of its history, along with footage from years past. A unique and commemorative logo has also been designed to pay tribute to the significant milestone.
