On the eve of the 15th iD Dunedin Fashion Show, Rosie Manins takes a look back at highlights from its history.
2000
Following a small show at the Ra Bar in 1999, a larger show is held at Bennu restaurant in the central city. Named D19 2000 for the 19 designers involved and the date, it attracts support from the Dunedin City Council and is now regarded as the first iD Dunedin Fashion Show. The show includes winter 2000 collections from Margi Robertson, Andrea Bentley, Nicholas Blanchet, Tanya Carlson, Donna Tulloch and Richard Moore.
2001
Dunedin Railway Station takes centre stage, when its platform is transformed into the southern hemisphere's longest catwalk for the first time. Nom*D founder Margi Robertson says the historic station is an ''amazing piece of architecture'' and predicts a bright future for the sellout show.
2002
Margi Robertson, Tanya Carlson and Donna Tulloch (Mild Red) establish themselves as core iD designers, setting styles for the year ahead. Fellow Dunedin designer Toni McClean's label Toni Darling is to the fore, before her debut at L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week.
2003
Donna Moore and Lisa Hodge, having taken over from Richard Moore at knitwear company Tamahine, give audiences a taste of things to come with the Dot Com winter range. National and international media start taking note. Dunedin leatherwear manufacturer Skin Deep steps into the light after almost three decades when showing on the catwalk for the first time.
2004
Vodafone is naming rights sponsor of the show, which sees 13 collections on the runway. Shelley Tiplady, one of the Dunedin Fashion Incubator's first resident designers, launches her first menswear range under label Akimbo. Fieke Neuman's Antarctic-inspired work of the previous year evolves into her String Theory winter range, and Charmaine Reveley's first winter collection is testament to the young designer's potential. A special group show uses pieces from three Otago Polytechnic graduates, Katie King, Joan Leach and Kalya Sowden.
2005
iD continues to grow and 14 designers, including three Otago Polytechnic graduates, launch their latest collections on the runway. Bannockburn-raised Pip Beaton shows The Vicious Circle collection of garments for women working in a man's world. Toni McClean exposes a new range of flared trousers and jackets, and Tanya Carlson celebrates '70s rock, Art Nouveau and the Edwardian era in her Hot Orchid Night offering. Donna Tulloch's latest Mild Red garments are heavy on technical detail.
2006
For the first time iD includes a guest designer from outside the city, former Dunedin resident Liz Findlay, of Zambesi. Newcomer Keita McGowan keeps things fresh, while Otago Polytechnic graduates invited to show include Shola Steele and Katelyn Osten.
2007
Guest designer Cybele Wiren, of Auckland, draws inspiration from stories of knights on horseback, fire-breathing dragons and '70s glam rock. Veronica Keucke again delivers self-assured, fresh and distinctive wares, while Margi Robertson makes good on her label's dark, intellectual reputation. Rugby player Ben Smith and business partner Nicola Reilly showcase the latest menswear from Elusive. Queenstown designer Lisa Payne makes her second iD appearance.
2008
Last-minute sponsor The Southern Trust makes sure the show goes on. Aucklander Adrian Hailwood is the first male guest designer, and brings a mixed structural bag to his garments. North Otago-raised designer Sharon Ng shows for the first time, and Dunedin designer Janelle Bennett's latest Cirrus offerings bring French flair.
2009
The 10th anniversary event includes WORLD founders Francis Hooper and Denise L'Estrange-Corbet. They dazzle with their 20th anniversary collection pieces, including opulent evening wear from the winter range incorporating Swarovski crystals. Juliet Fay, of Dunedin, celebrates the growth of her aduki label while fellow Dunedin designer Cheryl Burtenshaw embraces chunky cable knits.
2010
British fashion royalty Zandra Rhodes makes an impact as the first international guest designer for the show. Her creations include classic chiffon and organza evening wear. Outfits are embellished with jewellery by English sculptor Andrew Logan. Dunedin labels including Charmaine Reveley, Carlson, Nom*D and Company of Strangers provide the show's backbone with the likes of Mild Red, Cherry Cotton Candy and twenty-seven names. Vaughan Geeson returns with a capsule collection, as do hosts Carol Hirschfeld and John Campbell.
2011
Vintage Chanel and Dior are among the priceless garments brought to the runway by Darnell Collection owner and curator Charlotte Smith, of Australia. Fellow Australian Akira Isogawa, originally from Japan, flaunts his contemporary genius as the international guest designer. Liz Mitchell shows her The Scent of Peony collection, while Dunedin sisters Tamsin and Emily Cooper present a joint showcase.
2012
Paris-based designer Lutz Huelle amazes audiences with his retrospective collection, while television personality Colin Mathura-Jeffree models MisteR's winter range, showcased as part of a Celebrate Christchurch collection. RUBY shows for the first time, and 2007 iD International Emerging Designer Awards runner-up Emily Miller-Sharma returns.
2013
British milliner Stephen Jones shows 33 magnificent headwear creations as the international guest designer, including a headpiece made for Kylie Minogue using 20 large turkey feathers, set in resin and gold plated. Models from Shanghai bring an air of international professionalism to the event, and Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers model Tamsin Cooper outfits.
