"I've also been impressed by the new generation of young designers coming through with the potential to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Zambesi and Karen Walker."
While the sales figures from the event remain as always the business of the designers, among those happy to be quoted was Claire Kingan-Jones of RJC. Kingan-Jones said her RJC and Edge labels had picked up at least four new accounts and new label, Kingan-Jones, had already picked up significant business.
"Having a showroom onsite this year has really helped us, with instant interest and business from buyers. It's hard to quantify yet but we will be getting a lot of new business."
Christchurch designer Sakaguchi, who chose a showroom as an alternative to a show this year, said they already had an impressive 25 new accounts by the end of Fashion Week. Leather specialist Caroline Moore, who had a catwalk show on the schedule as well as a showroom onsite, said the label had doubled its winter orders. "We've also made a lot of new contacts we will be following up. The experience has been very positive."
Highest praise came from Nom*D's Margi Robertson who singled out the smooth running of the event this year for particular attention. She also praised organisers for their selection of VIP international buyers and media describing them as "interesting to talk to and highly relevant for what is currently happening in NZ fashion."
At the fashion coalface, designers with Auckland retail stores are reporting bumper sales with one designer experiencing a 300% jump on retail sales during the week. Others talked of big spends by international delegates in the hours after their shows.
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