Express Yourself!

This year's winner: Twenty-Seven Names

As New Zealand’s fashion industry develops, the very notion of exporting becomes increasingly important, especially for emerging or developing designers. DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company know this only too well, initiating the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship in 2008 to help said designers with this critical part of their development. The prize: NZ $10,000 worth of international freight, plus coaching in the business of freight and logistics, mentorship and membership of FINZ is this year supplemented by an Australia-focused NZTE Path to Market programme. That the scholarship works is in no doubt whatsoever as the three winners to date; Stolen Girlfriends Club, Lonely Hearts and Twenty-Seven Names have made substantial strides in overseas markets since their respective wins. This year’s judges are NOM*D’s Margarita Robinson, Kim Crawford wines founder, Erica Crawford, Mapihi Opai from FINZ and DHL Express national strategic account manager Megan Wildermoth. 

So, emerging designers of New Zealand, get your skates on and enter this landmark comp. Entries close on Monday, November 14, 2011. Application forms are available from the FINZ website.