In anticipation of iD Fashion’s 20th anniversary, Brittany Pooley looks back at the designs of Dunedin fashion designer Donna Tulloch, of Mild Red.
The Dunedin fashion company has a longstanding relationship with iD Fashion Week dating back to its first fashion show at Bennu Restaurant and Bar in 1999.
''White salt glistened on the catwalk [black footpath]. This was an inspirational transformation of the railway station - it became a platform of theatre. A show that wowed the audience and provided a glimpse into the potential for the show in the years to come.''
Tulloch, like so many involved in iD, is a huge advocate for emerging design, recognising the true value in what iD Fashion does for local and international emerging designers.
''Seeing the emerging designers and the innovations of their fabric and form has been a highlight for many years now.
''I believe there have been so many talented young designers to have come through iD Fashion Week over the years. Even being selected to be part of the show is a true honour and a platform to launch their fashion journey - whatever that may be.''
After missing last year's event, Mild Red will return to the catwalk for the 20th anniversary show - a combination of its established and emerging designers shows into one powerful evening of fashion.
''iD fashion week cements and celebrates Dunedin as a fashion/design hub of creativity and innovation - something we feel has always been part of our city for decades, even before iD began, but now we are sharing it with a wider audience throughout NZ and the world,'' Tulloch says.
''It has become an iconic week to celebrate fashion, style, creativity: it creates a buzz in town.''
It brings attention to the many amazing established local and national designers and puts a spotlight on the fashion school at Otago Polytechnic due to a strong focus on the future of design and fashion with the emerging designers.
''At the same time, it promotes Dunedin as a city where you can live and create a global brand from this great small city''.
iD has built on that potential, creating what has become an annual showcase of the world's top emerging fashion designers.
''The transformation is huge! We have watched iD evolve over the years into an excellent platform for emerging designers worldwide.
''From the first iD fashion show in a local bar to a week-long celebration of creativity with sold-out runway shows, talks, exhibitions and events. It is a much-anticipated event on the Dunedin calendar.''
Over the course of 20 years with iD, Tulloch will have shown 19 Mild Red collections on the iD catwalk, though four come to mind - Hunderwasser in 2005, Black Knight in 2011, the Aviator collection in 2015 and this year's STAMP collection.
''STAMP is powerful, bold yet feminine, a true celebration of identity - we have created some beautiful limited-edition accessories that will be revealed for the first time at the show.
The weeks and months prior to iD can be an intensive period for designers.
''The lead-up to iD for us is an incredibly busy time of year, as we are in the middle of dispatching current season styles, managing styles in production, and sampling for next season.
''I spend many hours creating the looks for the show; accessories are made specifically for the show. I'm passionate about stamping our iconic Mild Red look for the runway,'' Tulloch says.
Mild Red will showcase its Autumn/Winter 2019 Collection at iD.
''With the concept of embracing your mantra, your ethos, your legacy, your style, your vision, your STAMP. Be bold. STAMP it. Explore our STAMP and love it, twist it, turn it, mix it, layer it and make it your own, treasure it or share it.
''This season provides a doorway to sophisticated and strong silhouettes, created with our iconic Mild Red STAMP on style; textural, sculptural, a visual collaboration between fabric and design. STAMP builds bridges and connections between seasons, collections and generations; always has and always will.''
See it
Mild Red at the iD Dunedin 20th Anniversary Show plus International Emerging Designers Awards ceremony, Friday, March 15, from 7.30pm-9.30pm, Regent Theatre.
