Two Dunedin students shortlisted in fashion award

A tribute to a father and an exploration of the concept of constant change has seen two Dunedin fashion students named as finalists in the iD International Emerging Designer Awards.  

Ruby Van der Zanden’s collection ‘Why Not? We’re on Holiday’ was inspired by her dad who passed away more than a year ago, while Vera Kalugina ‘Aurora’ collection explores change and movement.  

The Otago Polytechnic students were among the 33 finalists from 14 countries announced on Monday night by iD Dunedin Fashion.

The finalists would typically participate in a runway event in Dunedin, but due to Covid-19 the awards will be a “virtual experience”, with designs showcased in a video show produced by NHNZ, says iD Dunedin Fashion co-chair Dr Margo Barton. Details are still to come on the release.

There were more than 150 applications to the awards this year.

Head judge Tanya Carlson says the collections reflected observations on the challenges facing the world.  

“It was wonderful to see young people thinking creatively of a way to help out. Collectively they showed outstanding use of recycled fabric, cleaver upcycling and embraced new technologies. There was also an overall trend to tell their own story through references to their ethnicity and culture which was explored with beautiful, sensitive design.” 

Ruby Van der Zanden's collection created her collection based on her father who passed away last year. PHOTO: ID FASHION

While creating a virtual show has been challenging, Dr Barton says it has also provided new opportunities.  

“As all judging will be undertaken remotely it has enabled us to tap into leading designers from around the world. We’re looking forward to announcing an all-star line-up of international jurors from throughout the world shortly. The finalists will be delighted to learn who is assessing their work.” 

Judges for the shortlist were: Tanya Carlson of Tanya Carlson, Wynn Crawshaw of Wynn Hamlyn, Donna Tulloch of Mild-Red and sustainability journalist and former iD International Emerging Designer Awards finalist Fiona Ralph.  

 2020 iD International Emerging Designer Awards finalists and their collections are: 

Anelisa Mcetywa; Harmony; Cape Peninsula University of Technology; South Africa 

Anna Hambira; The Private Revolution of the Individualists; University of Applied Arts Vienna, Vienna 

Beier Kang; 2D-3D; Shanghai University of Engineering Science; China 

Bonita Alexander; Lost Property; Queensland University of Technology; Australia 

Eliska Marczan; Matrilineal; University of Technology, Sydney; Australia 

Ellen Cara Watson; Praevado; Fashion Design Studio, TAFE, Sydney; Australia 

Faiha Rahmani; Of Two Minds; University of Technology, Sydney; Australia 

He Xinyi; My Bed; Donghua University; Shanghai, China 

Imuy Teav; Gentle Man; Auckland University of Technology; New Zealand 

Isabella Diorio; F.E.T. (Female Engagement Team); Kent State University; USA 

Isabelle Badr; In Gear; RMIT University, Melbourne; Australia 

Jordyn Smith; Fashion's Prometheus; RMIT University, Melbourne; Australia 

Julie Mwiragua; Tenderhead; South Metropolitan TAFE, Bentley, WA; Australia 

Julien Esteves; La Nausee Istituto Marangoni; London; United Kingdom 

Kauri Takahashi; Boro Boro; Massey University, New Zealand 

Ketty Lin; Proteggimi; Polimoda; Italy 

Kim Clark; overlapped, RMIT University, Melbourne; Australia 

Lillian Yufan; WHISKING PAST, Donghua University, China 

Ruby Van der Zanden; Why Not? We’re on Holiday; Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin; New Zealand 

Marlena Czak; Why me, why me; Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź; Poland 

Mei Zheng; See Me; University of Technology, Sydney; Australia 

Micaela Ailen, Camila Bautista and Gonzalez Lema; Luxo Gang; Universidad de Buenos Aires;  Argentina 

Morgan Allen; MRGN The Label; Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester; United Kingdom 

Nadya Kusumo; 925, RMIT University, Melbourne; Australia 

Pujasree Vatsa; Saudade, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai; India 

Sheung Yung (Sharon) Tsang; Hallucination; Donghua University; Shanghai, China 

Srinvanti Roymoulik; Flowing Rhythm; RMIT University, Melbourne; Australia 

Stina Margareta Randestad; Hybrids; The Swedish School of Textiles; Sweden 

Vera Kalugina; Aurora; Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin; New Zealand 

Zarin Tasnim Mim; Safe Amazon; BGMEA University of Fashion design and Technology; Bangladesh 

Zhongchen (Jake) Liu; No, Everlasting Eternity; RMIT University, Melbourne; Australia 

To read their profiles and see a garment from their collection visit here.