For 35 years, the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards have been a competitive platform for all amateur fashion designers to showcase their designs in front of well-regarded industry leaders.
Held in Gore each year in late July, the awards are firmly established as a key event on the national fashion calendar and continue to attract entries and interest from throughout New Zealand.
From avant-garde to the latest street fashion, hundreds of garments are submitted for consideration each year, with only the best of the best making it to the finals. Designs may shine a light on sustainable materials, natural fibres or a seamless combination of function and innovation.
Spanning two days, the awards consist of a Strictly Design evening and glittering Gala Awards Night.
The first night, Strictly Design, is an opportunity to see all designs on the catwalk in a traditional theatre style viewing set up. School category winners are presented on this night, showcasing the incredible skills of our up-and-coming youth designers.
The second night is the Gala Awards evening, which features all competition designs, entertainment, judges showcases and award presentations. It is a night of glitz and glam, rubbing shoulders with the best and the brightest both present and future – but be warned, tickets have been known to sell out within minutes of going on sale.
You can learn more by going to the HFDA website.
