Ali Shanks in Carlson for awards

When champion Dunedin cyclist Alison Shanks appears at the Halberg Awards in Auckland tonight, she will be be promoting her home city's fashion, too.

Shanks (26), one of four finalists in the New Zealand sportswoman of the year category, will be wearing a cocktail dress lent by designer Tanya Carlson.

More accustomed to wearing Lycra for gruelling training sessions and sporting events, Shanks yesterday said she enjoyed dressing up for weddings and special occasions, often wearing clothes sewn by her mother, Kay.

Contemplating the black-tie Halberg awards, she felt she should wear a Dunedin-designed garment and approached Ms Carlson.

"I thought it would be cool to represent Dunedin.

"And I knew Tanya and I had both been pupils at Queens High School, although I did not know her then, as she is a few years older."

Offered a choice of five dresses, Shanks said she immediately knew a printed silk strapless dress with boned bodice and berry-coloured sash was "the one".

"It must have been meant to be, as it fitted perfectly."

The Halberg Awards recognise outstanding sporting achievement during the previous year.

After recording a fourth place in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Shanks topped that in March by winning the individual pursuit world title in Poland.

Asked whether she might win tonight, Shanks, who is up against Sophie Pascoe (swimming), Valerie Vili (athletics) and Sarah Walker (BMX cycling), said she was not sure.

"All of us are world champions and Valerie Vili has had an amazing year.

"She is unbeaten."