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Director of Dunedin fashion label NOM*d Margarita Robertson says being awarded an honorary degree from Otago Polytechnic
was 'pretty special'. |
The director of fashion label NOM*d, Margarita Robertson, was
recognised for her role in invigorating Dunedin's fashion
scene with an honorary degree from Otago Polytechnic
yesterday.
Ms Robertson received an honorary bachelor of design
(fashion) at the polytechnic's graduation ceremony yesterday.
She said it was ''pretty special'' being awarded the degree,
despite feeling a little odd about not having put in years of
study as other graduates had.
''We have always been a big part of the Dunedin fashion
scene, and NOM*d is a proud supporter of local fashion and
the development of emerging fashion designers,'' she said.
Otago Polytechnic fashion academic leader Margot Barton said
the names NOM*d and Margarita Robertson were ''synonymous
with Dunedin fashion''.
''Margi has been instrumental in the continued growth of
Dunedin's vibrant fashion sector since 1986, when she and her
husband, Chris, boldly launched NOM*d, despite an economic
slump in the Dunedin fashion industry,'' Dr Barton said.
From these early beginnings, NOM*d quickly established itself
as one of the country's premier fashion labels. In 1999,
NOM*d was chosen to represent New Zealand at London Fashion
Week, alongside Karen Walker, World and Zambesi. These were
the first New Zealand labels to show at an international
fashion week.
Dr Barton said Ms Robertson had also been notable for the
mentoring role she played with budding fashion designers.
''Margi has personally been visible, accessible and
supportive to Otago Polytechnic students.''
Ms Robertson said the current crop of young fashion lovers
benefited hugely from being able to take courses like the one
offered at Otago Polytechnic.
It was a ''different world'' when she first entered the
fashion industry, she said.
Her message to her fellow graduates was to ''make sure that
they love what they do every day''.
vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz
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