Dunedin fashion designers Margi Robertson and Tanya Carlson spent yesterday selecting designers for the show, with Auckland fashion industry professional Des Rusk.
They said the quality of entries made it a difficult but exciting task.
''The selection is pretty amazing. We're already in a situation where we've got to edit, so that's a nice space to be in. There is more than enough contenders,'' Ms Robertson said.
The anniversary awards attracted 93 entries from fashion design graduates of international tertiary institutions.
Among them were designers from Croatia, Spain, Italy, Egypt, China, Ireland, England, India and the Netherlands.
Ms Robertson said there was also a particularly strong contingent from Australia and an entrant from Asia who previously studied at Otago Polytechnic.
Collections comprised more modern silhouettes than had been previously submitted, which selectors were happy to see.
Ms Robertson said young fashion design students had traditionally stuck to draping and wrapping.
''What we're seeing coming through is a lot more futuristic forms and that's really the way fashion is heading in many respects,'' she said.
Miss Carlson said laser cutting was a popular technique among entrants, as was digital printing, although the latter had become mainstream and judges were looking for innovation within the method.
''These days you see digital printing in chain stores so we're looking for people approaching it in a fresh way that we haven't seen before.''
She said there were almost as many male designers as females, and a good percentage of the collections comprised menswear designed by both males and females.
Those chosen to show at the awards on April 3 had to confirm they could attend before a final selection was announced by organisers.
For the first time, the show would be held at the Dunedin Town Hall, having previously been staged at the Edgar Centre.
