New Cultural Award at Hokonui Fashion Design Awards 2012

This year’s Hokonui Fashion Design Awards features an exciting new award to recognise the many diverse cultures of New Zealand and the Pacific region.

The award will be known as the ‘Auaha Award’ recognising the creativity and flair of New Zealand’s culturally diverse community and invites designers to enter a design that reflects the country’s culture.

The winning garment will come from any of the finalist garments, regardless of which section it is entered in, and will be judged on its relevance and connection to the wider Pacific culture.

The winner of the Auaha Award will take away a cash prize of $1,000.

Awards convenor Heather Paterson said she was excited about the new award.

”This award gives entrants the opportunity to express their cultural heritage through their design creativity,” she said.

With an increasing diversity of cultures now resident in New Zealand she is pleased that the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards has introduced the Auaha Award this year.

”Multiculturalism is now a widely recognised and accepted part of New Zealand society and the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards has attracted numerous entries from many different ethnic backgrounds over the years,” she said.

Sponsorship is currently being sought for the Auaha Award.  There have already been a number of expressions of interest from potential sponsors who are keen to become involved with the event, but in particular this cultural based award.

”I expect that the Auaha Award will grow in the future and become an integral part of the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards,” said Mrs Paterson.

The Hokonui Fashion Design Awards have been running since 1988 and are now firmly established as a key event on the national fashion calendar.  The awards offer a competitive platform for all amateur designers to display their designs before a panel of high profile judges.

The Hokonui Fashion Design Awards will be held in Gore 27th & 28th July, 2012.  For more information about the awards visit www.hokonuifashion.co.nz
 
 

Photo caption:   Steampunk 2011 winner by Amanda Hasselman and Kate Scott of Glenorchy