Judges and Finalists Announced: Newmarket Young Fashion Designer Awards 2014

The Newmarket Young Fashion Designer Awards are heating up
as the judges are announced and finalists chosen.

With an array of expertise, the judging panel includes representatives from Whitecliffe
College of Arts and Design, Business World Travel, RUBY, Newmarket Business Association,
Servilles and Purfex. Also in the judging lineup and adding some serious fashion credentials
are Fashion Stylist Kylie Cooke, jeweller Greg Holland and New Zealand designer Vicki
Taylor, each bringing a distinguished eye for trends to the mix.

A major supporter of the awards since it’s inception, Vicki Taylor of taylor boutique see’s
the value in fostering young talent and highly enjoys mentoring the senior winner:

“It's an honour to once again be part of the Newmarket Young Fashion Designer Awards –
it’s been so rewarding to see the event go from strength to strength. We're looking
forward to inviting the winner into our workroom; we find it's a great way to help them
understand the industry and to see how things are done.”

Competition finalists were notified on Friday following judging of their creative journals.
Head judge Belinda Watt, Head of Department of Fashion Design at Whitecliffe College
of Arts and Design, says the calibre of this year’s finalists are high and show creativity:

“It is always really exciting to open the boxes of journals and this year some of the
young designers have experimented with creative textures through fabric
manipulation, origami and dye techniques. I can’t wait to see the final designs and
really believe we have some talented New Zealand designers in the works.”

This year’s competition is made up of two categories; the Junior (16-17 years) and Senior
(18-19 years), with a variety of prizes in each to encourage and nurture talent.

The senior winner will receive a two-year scholarship for Whitecliffe College of Arts and
Design, a two-week internship with taylor boutique and a trip to Australian Fashion Week
with M.A.C, while the junior winner will get hands-on designer experience with a two-week
internship at RUBY and Liam’s head office, among other rewards.

The finalists’ garment design submissions are due 12th August 2014 and People’s Choice
Voting will commence 25th August 2014 via www.facebook.com/newmarketexperience
The final awards night will be held on 1st October 2014.