Style: April 06, 2018

22 STYLE | special feature
STYLE TIPS
In between fashion events,
there’s plenty of places to eat,
drink and shop while you’re
experiencing Dunedin.
Mahshid Mahdian’s winning collection at the 2014 Emerging Designer Show.
Margo says the Emerging Designer
Show is unique and is Australasia’s
only international emerging awards.
It is also one of the world’s only
emerging fashion awards shows that
is open to the public. “Every year it is
growing and attracting exceptionally
high-quality applications from
prestigious fashion schools around
the world. This year we had a record
number of entries – around 200.”
With no iD Railway Fashion Show
on the agenda, instead there will be a
range of other smaller fashion shows
held by and featuring new collections
from Dunedin’s iconic fashion labels
like NOM*d, Tanya Carlson, Mild-Red,
Charmaine Reveley and Company of
Strangers. These will be held across
the week.
iD is a big deal for Dunedin’s
calendar and is now a hot destination
for Kiwis and international travellers.
It’s estimated to bring almost
$2 million to the city during the
week in retail spend, services and
accommodation and a further
$6 million in global exposure.
The vision for iD is to grow the
awards with more international
partnerships. It has previously
been connected with Mittelmoda
(an international fashion design
competition), and currently has an
association with London-based Not
Just A Label (a platform for new
designers) and Arts Thread (online
creative network). This will be in
conjunction with a greater connection
with the local fashion community in
Dunedin through internships and a
hub where designers can choose to
stay and work. Margo says what began
as a small show of local designers
has grown hugely over the past two
decades. “But the heart of what we
do is still the city, its fashion and
its creative energy.” Margo is also
working on next year’s event – the
20th anniversary of iD. “We have big
plans for that.”
She says Dunedin fashion has a
great reputation because they are
allowed to be themselves. “The
community accepts anything, so
people experiment with looks. I
think, too, the high ratio of young
people in Dunedin with the Otago
Polytechnic and University influences
the community.” She says the city
attracts creative people across various
disciplines – artists, music, film, fashion,
design. “And I love that about the
city. It’s also possible to ignore the
latest trends if you choose to. You can
choose to be isolated, or engaged.”
This year the audience can expect
to be amazed and inspired. “Our
multi-level catwalk at the Dunedin
Town Hall allows for more front row
seating than ever before. It’s going to
be absolutely spectacular!”
• Head along to Company Store
(320 George Street), home of local
fashion label Company of Strangers.
You can shop their clothing, leather
bags and jewellery ranges, as well as
other New Zealand and overseas
labels and accessories including Aesop
products and George & Edi candles.
• For more garments for your
wardrobe, head to the hidden
shopping gem down the alleyway at
1 York Place. Mild-Red is a longestablished
Dunedin label designed by
Donna Tulloch specialising in beautiful
knitwear and clever garments that can
be worn in multiple ways.
• Once you’ve shopped till you’ve
dropped and need a rest, Heritage
Coffee (corner of Vogel and Jetty
streets) is the latest café to open in
the revitalised Warehouse Precinct.
The coffee is outstanding and the
bagels are delicious.
• For something stronger, go to
Emerson’s Brewery – open seven
days from 10am, at 70 Anzac Avenue.
The Taproom at Emerson’s Brewery
is a great place to try one of their
many beers (they also serve wine)
and the sharing plates are a great
option for casual dining. You can also
visit the Cellar Door for tastings or go
on a tour of the brewery.
• When the hunger finally kicks in,
there’s Good Good – a quirky new
burger joint at 22 Vogel Street, open
Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and
dinner. The Good Oil Café
(314 George Street) is another
exceptional eatery, serving café-style
food every day until 4pm, while
situated in one of Dunedin’s oldest
buildings you’ll find Bacchus Wine Bar
& Restaurant (1/12 The Octagon).
• And you can’t go to a fashion show
without a little spruce up first. The
Old Fire Station in Roslyn Village is
home to the relaxing Erban Spa
(50 City Road), which offers all sorts
of beauty treatments and massage.
The Environ Deep Cleansing facial is
highly recommended.